The Connecticut Solar have traded Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty in trade for the No. 7 decide within the 2025 WNBA Draft, the group introduced Sunday night time. The Solar, who acquired Cloud within the commerce that despatched longtime franchise cornerstone Alyssa Thomas to the Phoenix Mercury, stocked up on draft capital, whereas the Liberty bolstered their already-talented roster with one of many sport’s elite two-way gamers.
Cloud has averaged 8.6 factors, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1 steal in he 9-year WNBA profession, 8 of which had been with the Washington Mystics. An elite perimeter defender, she was named to the All-Defensive First Crew as soon as, and boasts two All-Defensive Second Crew choices (2019, 2024). She received a WNBA championship with the Mystics in 2019, and can convey that have to a locker room now intimately aware of profitable all of it.
The Athletic reported that Cloud had requested a commerce quickly after touchdown in Connecticut. Cloud advised reporters in an Unmatched media availability that she didn’t anticipate to be traded after signing a cope with the Mercury.
“I simply need the perfect state of affairs for myself and my household transferring ahead,” she mentioned. “And I simply need to be in a corporation that really invests from prime to backside, amenities, group, location, all of that. I need to compete for championships.”
In New York, Cloud will definitely get the possibility to compete for one.
Natasha Cloud bolsters an already-stacked New York Liberty roster
The Liberty will look to defend their franchise-first WNBA title, and now convey one other elite participant into the fold. Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones headline the cost, however Cloud will present a further robust perimeter defender and playmaker, which is especially-needed contemplating the truth that Courtney Vandersloot signed with the Chicago Sky this offseason.
“We couldn’t be extra excited to welcome Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty household,” mentioned Liberty normal supervisor Jonathan Kolb. “Tash is somebody who we recognized years in the past as a chief match for our group and embodies all the pieces we search for in a participant.”
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Picture by Jordan Johnson/NBAE through Getty Pictures
“She has at all times left a long-lasting impression on the Barclays Middle crowd, and we sit up for seeing the perfect followers within the WNBA embrace her on a nightly foundation. Tash will undoubtedly strengthen our roster on either side of the ball as we pursue one other title in 2025.”
Along with Vandersloot, the Liberty misplaced veteran ahead Kayla Thornton this offseason, who was chosen by the Golden State Valkyries of their enlargement draft. Cloud will present a scoring punch and a veteran presence that ought to assist the franchise as they pursue back-to-back titles.
For the Connecticut Solar, the commerce brings in further draft capital
The Solar now personal each the No. 7 and No. 8 picks within the 2025 WNBA Draft, along with final 12 months’s No. 5 general decide, Jacy Sheldon. The transfer additional alerts the Solar are coming into a rebuilding mode after dropping their total beginning lineup this previous offseason. The Solar retained veteran guard Marina Mabrey, and signed Corridor of Fame middle Tina Charles, however will principally have younger expertise round them. Offloading a veteran participant who wished out in trade for extra younger expertise looks like a no brainer transfer.