WNBA Moves: Brittney Sykes to Seattle Storm
The Washington Mystics have finalized a trade that sends star guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm. In return, the Mystics receive forward Alysha Clark and Seattle’s 2026 first-round pick.
The operation also included guard Zia Cooke, who went from the Storm to the Mystics, but was later cut. Washington’s power forward, Sika Kone, was also released to complete the deal.
After this move, the Storm retain two first-round picks for 2026, having previously acquired one from Los Angeles and another from Las Vegas. For their part, the Mystics, in the process of rebuilding, now possess three first-round picks for the same year.
Sykes is showing outstanding performance in her ninth season in the WNBA, averaging 15.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Her arrival is expected to bring greater scoring ability to the Storm, who are ranked ninth in offensive efficiency, and strengthen their defense, one of the best in the league.
The player, a four-time All-Defensive team selection, was chosen for her first All-Star this summer, replacing Caitlin Clark on Team Clark.
Alysha Clark, who signed with the Storm for a lower salary in free agency, where she won championships in 2018 and 2020, returns to Washington, where she played during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. She is expected to take on a more important role in her new team.
The Mystics, with a record of 13-15 and after losing five of their last seven games, would be in the lottery if the season ended today.
Seattle is in sixth position in the table with a record of 16-13.
The league’s transfer deadline is Thursday.
