5:48 PM ET
Alexa PhilippouESPN
CloseCovers women’s college basketball and the WNBA
Previously covered UConn and the WNBA Connecticut Sun for the Hartford Courant
Stanford graduate and Baltimore native with further experience at the Dallas Morning News, Seattle Times and Cincinnati Enquirer
2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones is being traded from the Connecticut Sun to the New York Liberty in a deal that’s expected to be finalized Sunday night, sources told ESPN, confirming multiple reports.
Jones, a four-time All-Star, requested the trade specifically to New York; she had one more year on her contract with the Sun, who recently brought in a new head coach in Stephanie White.
The Liberty are a burgeoning championship contender with Sabrina Ionescu leading the way. They have also historically tried to court two-time Finals MVP Breanna Stewart, who’s a free agent this year.
Jones — a 6-6 forward/center from the Bahamas — averaged 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game this past season, helping lead Connecticut to a second WNBA Finals berth in four years. The Sun are still searching for their first championship.
In another move, the Sun intend to core forward Brionna Jones, a source told ESPN. Jones, 26, averaged 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. The last day to deliver core player designations is Friday.