Sky trade Marina Mabrey to Sun for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson and a 2025 first round draft pick
LAS VEGAS — The Sky traded guard Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, the 2025 first round draft pick and the rights to swap 2026 first round pick from Connecticut. The Sun will also receive the Sky’s 2025 second round draft pick.
“Marina has made a significant impact over the past two seasons with the Sky behind her scoring ability, playmaking, competitiveness and commitment to the community,” Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a press release. “We appreciate all of her contributions to the organization and wish her continued success in the league.”
Through 21 games this season, Banham is averaging 4.8 points and 1.2 rebounds.
Jefferson, a 5-6 guard from UConn, was selected No. 2 overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2016 WNBA Draft. In 2023 with Phoenix, she averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds.
“We are very excited to welcome Rachel and Moriah to the Sky and we know that both will bring a ton of value to this roster this season,” Pagliocca said. “Adding another essential first round draft pick in 2025 will strengthen our draft capital next year.”
Former Sky coach/general manager James Wade acquired Mabrey in a 2023 four-team trade that included sending two first-round draft picks (2023 and 2024) and the right to swap 2025 first-round picks to the Wings. The trade was in response to an exodus of championship stars that left the Sky in free agency and a testament to Wade's priority in acquiring talent outside of the draft. During his tenure Wade leaned heavily into signing overseas talent and utilizing trades to acquire more developed players.
However, in Chicago, Mabrey never grew into the All-Star Wade projected her to be.
In 2023, Mabrey was the Sky's second-leading scorer behind 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, averaging 15 points per game. This year, Mabrey has been riding a shooting slump that has her averaging 12.1 points over the last eight games.
Mabrey is a 35.9% career three-point shooter. Last season, she nearly matched her career-high, shooting 39% from three. She finished the shortened 2020 season shooting 41.8% from three while averaging nearly five attempts per game.
Despite having one of the lowest three-point percentages in the league, the second-place Sun (18-6) has the third-best offensive rating. It's unclear what role Mabrey would play in coach Stephanie White's system. White has relied on the same starting five — Tyasha Harris, DiJonai Carrington, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Bri Jones — for every game this year except one.
Adding a shooter like Mabrey, even if she's coming off the bench, could be a key to the franchise winning its first WNBA title.
The WNBA trade deadline is Aug. 20. Before then, the Sky could also end up moving guard Dana Evans.