The Chicago Sky are sending star Kahleah Copper to the Phoenix Mercury, the team announced Tuesday. The Sky will receive former Liberty forward Michaela Onyenwere, forward Brianna Turner and four draft picks, including this year’s No. 3 pick.
In addition to Copper, the Mercury will acquire forward Morgan Bertsch. Chicago’s newly acquired No. 3 pick fixes their previous issue of not having a first-round pick in this year’s loaded draft. The Sky also received a 2026 first-round pick, its 2025 second-round pick back from Phoenix (acquired by the Mercury in the Marina Mabrey deal) and the rights to a 2026 second-round pick swap.
“The opportunity to add a player of Kahleah’s caliber in the prime of her career is rare,” said Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren. “She is one of the most dynamic and athletic players in our league, with a true knack for scoring the ball.”
KAHLEAH FREAKING COPPER.
The WNBA Champion, Finals MVP and 3x All-Star is heading to The Valley! 🌵
➡️ https://t.co/s1D4ULUvzd pic.twitter.com/GSdnSwuR00
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 6, 2024
The surprise deal essentially sets the Sky into rebuild mode after the franchise won a title in 2021 under then-coach/ general manager James Wade. Copper was the last-remaining member of the title-winning team. New Sky head coach Teresa Weatherspoon — former five-time All-Star with the Liberty — will now inherit a depleted roster that looks different than the team that ended last season with a first-round playoff exit.
Guard Courtney Williams, who ranked fourth-best in the league with 6.3 assists per game for the Sky last season, signed a deal with the Minnesota Lynx last week. Forward Alanna Smith, who averaged 9.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 2023, also signed with the Lynx in free agency. Williams and Copper led the Sky to an 18-22 record in 2023. The team had expected to build around Copper after inking her to a two-year extension in October that would’ve kept her in Chicago through the 2025 season.
She now heads to Phoenix in hopes of securing another championship.
“I came to Chicago with a hunger and a desire to learn, make an impact in the community, and be great on the court. Seven years later I can honestly say, Chicago, I love y’all,” Copper wrote in a farewell post on Instagram. “We went through ups and downs together; we battled together; WE WON A CHAMPIONSHIP TOGETHER; and most importantly we supported one another.
“Now, 7 years and 4 days later, I find myself back in Belgium with Team USA and I’m saying goodbye — for now — to Chicago,” she added.
For the Mercury, the trade puts the team among the WNBA’s elite. Copper will join newly-signed guard Natasha Cloud. The Mercury also acquired 3-and-D wing Rebecca Allen in a deal with the Connecticut Sun. Veteran Diana Taurasi is expected to play out the final year of her deal in Phoenix and star center Brittney Griner is currently an unrestricted free agent, but expressed interest in staying with the franchise.
First-year head coach Nate Tibbetts will run the show with the Mercury’s rebuilt roster that now includes Copper, who averaged a career-high 18.7 points last season. Copper also represented the Sky in the All-Star Game in each of the past three seasons.
“Phoenix ahhhhhh I’m ready and #ALLIN! To my new teammates and coaches: you’re getting all of me,” Copper wrote in her post. “My hunger, my desire, my competitive spirit. Every. Damn. Possession.”
Onyenwere, a Rookie of the Year winner with the Liberty in 2021, played in all 40 games last season with the Mercury, averaging 8.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Turner was a All-Defensive First Team selection in the 2020-21 seasons as a member of the Mercury. In 2023, the 27-year-old averaged 3.5 points, 6,3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.
Bertsch, a third-round pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft, debuted in the league in 2023. She averaged 4.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 14.2 minutes per game.
