Vaughn And Hartley to New York, Swords to Seattle in Three-Team Trade


The New York Liberty has acquired center Kia Vaughn and guard Bria Hartley from the Washington Mystics in a three-team trade. The Seattle Storm has completed a trade with the Mystics to acquire 6-6 center Carolyn Swords and the Mystics’ 15th overall 2017 WNBA Draft pick. In exchange, Seattle is sending its sixth and 18th 2017 WNBA Draft selections.

Liberty Press Release

The New York Liberty has acquired center Kia Vaughn and guard Bria Hartley from the Washington Mystics in a 3-team trade that also includes the Seattle Storm, the team announced Monday.

Center Carolyn Swords has been traded from New York to Seattle, while Washington receives the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft from the Storm, and the Mystics and Storm will also swap 2017 2nd Round picks.

For the Liberty, which has posted best record in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference in consecutive seasons, the move brings home a pair of native New Yorkers, and bolsters its depth at two key positions. Vaughn, who was originally drafted by the Liberty in 2009, is a Bronx native and attended St. Michael’s Academy, just blocks away from Madison Square Garden, while Hartley hails from North Babylon, N.Y.

“This was a tough decision to make – Carolyn has been a great teammate and an exemplary member of the New York Liberty; she will do well for Seattle, and we wish her all of the best,” said Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer. “Bria Hartley has enjoyed a great deal of success as a champion on a big stage at UConn, and will enhance our guard strength. Kia Vaughn will bring toughness and experience to our front court, and she is a consummate professional basketball player.”

Vaughn was a former teammate of Liberty guard Epiphanny Prince at Rutgers University and with NYC’s Exodus Basketball club team, and is entering her 9th season, with career averages of 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. She played her first four WNBA seasons in New York, after being drafted 8th overall in 2009, and posted career-best averages of 10.1 points 6.7 rebounds per game in 2011. Last season, Vaughn appeared in all 34 games for the Mystics, averaging 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Hartley attended North Babylon High School and the University of Connecticut, where she spent three years as a teammate of Liberty center Kiah Stokes, before being drafted 7th overall in the 2014 WNBA Draft. Also an Exodus Basketball alumnus, Hartley boasts career averages of 7.1 points and 2.4 assists per game. Last year, she scored 6.5 ppg and shot .362 from 3-point range.

2017 New York Liberty Loyal season ticket packages starting at just $360 are on sale now, and include premium benefits, an enhanced in-arena experience at Madison Square Garden, and access to exclusive events featuring Liberty players and coaches. Liberty Loyal season ticket memberships are available by calling 212-465-6080 or visiting NYLiberty.com.

The 2017 New York Liberty season tips off at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, May 13, against the San Antonio Stars.

Storm Press Release

The Seattle Storm has completed a trade with the Washington Mystics to acquire 6-6 center Carolyn Swords and the Mystics’ 15th overall 2017 WNBA Draft pick. In exchange, Seattle is sending its sixth and 18th 2017 WNBA Draft selections.

“We are thrilled to add Carolyn Swords to our roster,” said Storm President & GM Alisha Valavanis. “One of our objectives this offseason and free agency period was to add another post with length and size around the rim. Carolyn brings a different defensive look and presence in the paint.”

Swords owns career averages of 4.2 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. She is coming off a 2016 season with the New York Liberty that saw her start all 34 games and average a career-high 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

A native of Sudbury, Mass., Swords was drafted 15th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2011 WNBA Draft, and signed with the New York Liberty ahead of the 2015 WNBA season. A 2011 graduate of Boston College, Swords is currently playing overseas in Poland, where she is averaging 19.8 points and 6.2 assists per game.

“Carolyn is a player that we have been trying to acquire for a number of years,” said Storm head coach Jenny Boucek. “She has proven to be one of the best finishers in our game; she brings great size, work ethic and basketball acumen. She will be a great fit on the court and in the locker room as we continue to evolve our team.”

Earlier today, New York sent Swords to Washington in exchange for center Kia Vaughn and guard Bria Hartley.

As previously announced by the WNBA, Seattle has been selected to host Verizon WNBA All-Star 2017. The game is set for 12:30 p.m. on July 22, 2017 at KeyArena.

Seattle opens its home schedule on May 14 vs. Indiana at KeyArena. Secure the best seats in the house with Storm 360 Memberships, available now, starting at $180, available online or by calling (206) 217-WNBA (9622). For package and group rates, please call 206-217-WNBA (9622).

Mystics Press Release

The Washington Mystics have acquired the Seattle Storm’s first round pick (6 th overall) in the 2017 WNBA Draft in a three-team trade that included the New York Liberty. Guard Bria Hartley and center Kia Vaughn were traded to the Liberty while New York traded center Carolyn Swords to the Storm.

“Kia Vaughn has meant a lot to the rebirth of the Mystics organization the past four years,” said Mystics head coach Mike Thibault. “Getting Kia was one of our first priorities when I came to Washington. She helped set the proper tone for how our players should conduct themselves as good pros. Her contributions to this team have been tremendous both on and off the court. However, as we try to move forward, there are always moves that need to be made in order to prepare for the next steps in our development. Fortunately for her, she is going to a team where she will be a perfect fit. We wish her well and thank her for all she has done here in Washington.”

Thibault added, “Bria Hartley will have a new opportunity to establish herself in New York. Our guard situation is becoming crowded and this trade will give her a chance to prove herself as a productive player.”

Washington also exchanged this year’s second round pick (15 th overall) for Seattle’s second round selection (18 th overall).

Vaughn joined the Washington Mystics following a trade with the New York Liberty in 2013. In four seasons with Washington, she averaged 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Vaughn helped Washington return to the playoffs, where she averaged 6.2 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game. She was selected by the New York Liberty in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2009 WNBA Draft.

Hartley was acquired by the Mystics in a draft-day trade in 2014. Her career averages include 7.1 points per game and 2.4 assists per game. During Washington’s playoffs appearances in 2013 and 2014, Hartley recorded 2.3 points per game and 3.3 assists per game.

The Washington Mystics will open the season on Sunday, May 14, at 3:00 p.m. against the San Antonio Stars. Full season-ticket memberships are currently on sale for the 20 th season. Full season tickets start at just $19 per game. Fans can secure their season tickets for the Mystics by calling 1-800-DCHOOP-1 or for more information email the membership sales team at ticketsales@washmystics.com.