Washington Mystics have become part of the WNBA since the 1998 season. But they only reached the playoffs in nine of their last 19 season. They are the only team in the WNBA that haven't experience getting to the WNBA Finals. They made the WNBA playoffs in 2014 and 2015. But last season, they didn't make the playoffs. On September 28, 2016, they won the second overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft.
But this upcoming WNBA season, there's a high possibility that the Mystics could reach the playoffs once again. Because Chicago Sky traded 2015 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne to the Washington Mystics in exchange for Kahleah Copper, Stefanie Dolson, and 2017 second overall pick, as per USA Today.
This trade is one of the biggest trades in WNBA history. For the Mystics to get Delle Donne, they had to give away three players including their second overall pick in 2017 WNBA draft. They also need to ship away Bria Hartley and Kia Vaughn to New York Liberty to clear room under the salary cap.
Delle Donne was selected as the second overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. In her four years with the Sky, she averaged 20.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 blocks in 31.5 minutes of playing time, as per BASKETBALL REFERENCE. She is also the 2013 Rookie of the Year and 2015 WNBA MVP.
Playing for the Mystics will get Delle Donne closer to her home in Delaware. Her family has always been big for her. And now, she can come to her home from Washington in less than 2 hours.
In an interview, Delle Donne said that she is sad to leave the Chicago Sky. But at the same time, she is also for the next chapter of her career with the Mystics, as further discussed by USA Today.
The trade gave Mystics head coach Mike Thibault a franchise player to carry the team. Delle Donne will team up with Tayler Hill and young star Emma Meesseman. With Delle Donne on the team, the Mystics now has a legitimate chance to contend for a WNBA championship.
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