DiJonai Carrington trade grades: Who won the Sun-Wings deal? ...Middle East

Stop me if you’ve heard this within the last week. We’ve got another WNBA trade.

WNBA free agency has lived in an alternate universe this week. Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd got things started. Alyssa Thomas followed. Then, Satou Sabally entered the chat with a ginormous three-team swap.

Now, DiJonai Carrington is moving on to Dallas, effectively ending whatever was left of Connecticut’s era, which included two WNBA finals and six consecutive semi-final appearances.

She joins the Wings after four seasons in Uncasville and brings an impressive resume with 2024 Most Improved Player honors and a WNBA All-Defensive First Team nod.

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Trade details:

The Wings get: Guard DiJonai Carrington and the No. 12 Pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft

The Sun get: Guard Jacy Sheldon and the No. 8 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft

May 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) looks to shoot as Chicago Sky guard Dana Evans (11) defends during the first quarter at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Wings grade

Alright, new general manager Curt Miller. You’ve got my attention.

In the last week, the Wings lost three starters (Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard and Jacy Sheldon) plus part of its second unit (Sevgi Uzun and Kalani Brown).

But, through some wheeling and dealing, Miller netted Ty Harris (from Phoenix), NaLyssa Smith (from the Fever), DiJonai Carrington, and the No. 12 draft pick. Now, we’re cooking a bit. We’re simmering, even.

Here’s that starting lineup change again.

The re-tooled starting lineup is something tangible the Wings can work with during so much change. (Sorry, new head coach Chris Koclanes. You’ve got a lot happening here.) It’s hard to replace a Satou Sabally. But drying your tears with DiJonai Carrington and friends should help.

The best part of this trade is snagging Carrington from Connecticut, which probably wasn’t too hard considering the franchise’s state and former teammate Ty Harris and girlfriend NaLyssa Smith were already onboard.

Carrington is an immediate upgrade to Dallas’ backcourt. She’s a highly intuitive player with an out-of-this-world motor. Her two-way abilities are some of the best in the league and helped Connecticut become one of the league’s powerhouses last season.

DiJonai plays much bigger than she is, and that’s going to be a treat in Dallas. Get ready for lightning-quick buckets and stellar defense with plenty of steals and blocks.

In other words, IT’S SEATBELT SEASON. (Sorry, I had to.)

Also, Arike Ogunbowale has to be thrilled right now. Miller’s moves help soften the blow of a season of change. She doesn’t have to be everything all at once and can lean on her teammates to help bring Dallas back to prominence.

Keep an eye on how Dallas moves in the 2025 WNBA draft to sure up this roster. They could be an under-the-radar playoff team.

Trade Grade: B+

Oct 6, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (4) reacts after her basket against the Minnesota Lynx in the second half during game four of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Connecticut Sun grade

Now, Connecticut Sun. I want you to come in and sit down. I’m going to hold your hand when I say this.

This is a rebuild. I don’t care what you tell yourself when you wake up in the morning; your actions say otherwise.

Say it with me. Rebuild.

Losing four starters (I’m including DeWanna Bonner in this) plus a head coach all in one offseason is truly something. From the outside looking in, it’s easy to assume it’s because of failed playoff runs or lost WNBA Finals. That’s the easy stuff. But it’s tough to ignore that so many people walked away from the franchise.

Is it a culture issue? Is it that they don’t feel valued? Is it that your players shouldn’t have to share the practice facility with a child having a birthday party?

You see where I’m going here. This is more than change. This is a mass exodus eyesore that you will have to fix.

How do you keep newly acquired Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and Jacy Sheldon from bolting? What do you tell poor Marina Mabrey, who came to Connecticut to compete?

Whatever you do, you’re going to have to fix it fast. Reality is setting in, and you just handed your new head coach, Rachid Meziane, one heck of a mess.

Trade grade: C-

Sun reportedy trade DiJonai Carrington to Wings, signaling end of an era in Connecticut

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