Mystics Sacrifice Aaliyah Edwards in a Trade with the Sun
The Washington Mystics have finalized a trade that sends Aaliyah Edwards to the Connecticut Sun, in exchange for Jacy Sheldon and the right to a first-round pick swap in 2026, the teams announced this Thursday. Washington will have the option to keep its 2026 first-round pick, originally owned by the Minnesota Lynx, or take Connecticut’s first-round pick, obtained from the New York Liberty. This move adds to the restructuring of the Mystics, who also traded Brittney Sykes for Alysha Clark and Seattle’s 2026 first-round pick earlier in the week. Edwards, selected sixth overall in the 2024 draft, averaged 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game with Washington.Edwards will become the 19th player from UConn to join the Sun since the franchise moved to Connecticut in 2003. Her minutes decreased this summer due to back and wrist injuries, after having had a more important role with the Mystics last year. Sources indicated that Edwards was the subject of trade talks for much of the season. Washington’s frontcourt also features young stars like Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin, in addition to veteran Stefanie Dolson. Sheldon, selected fifth overall in the 2024 draft by the Dallas Wings, was later traded to the Sun this offseason. The 5-foot-10-inch guard has averaged 6.3 points and 2.3 assists per game in her career. Sources close to the team revealed that, although Sheldon was happy off the court in Connecticut, she was looking for a greater opportunity for participation in the game.“Aaliyah’s arrival at the Connecticut Sun is more than just a roster move; it’s a statement of where we are headed as a franchise. Aaliyah is a transformative talent with the mindset and drive that aligns with our vision of building a championship culture. What truly sets her apart is the way she leads, connects, and competes. Aaliyah is the type of person and player who can help redefine the future of this organization, and we are ready to build that future together”.
Morgan Tuck, Sun General Manager
“We are excited to welcome Jacy to the Mystics and believe that her skillset, energy, and team-first approach will be a perfect fit for us. She is a competitor and leads by example with her work ethic. She has built upon her strong rookie campaign and has demonstrated her ability to shoot the ball and read the game on both ends of the court”.
Jamila Wideman, General Manager of the Mystics
