Potential locker room disputes potentially contributing to Seattle's recent decline
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The Seattle Storm WNBA team is grappling with a series of internal conflicts and locker room disputes, leading to a fractious team environment and multiple trade requests. This turmoil mirrors the player-coach conflicts from the 2024 season, which prompted a full WNBA investigation and the trade of star Jewell Loyd.
In the 2025 season, veteran Alysha Clark requested a trade after reportedly being involved in locker room verbal disputes. Clark, seeking a defined role for a title run, was unsettled due to limited production and playing time, ultimately prompting her move to the Washington Mystics in exchange for All-Star Brittney Sykes. Multiple sources confirm that these locker room tensions were a key factor behind her trade request.
All-Star guard Skylar Diggins is a central figure in the locker room discord. Known for her demanding leadership style, some teammates reportedly found her approach divisive. Fans suggest a pattern of issues follows her tenure, linking her to past and present conflicts. These conflicts reportedly include verbal altercations tied to dissatisfaction over players' performances and roles.
Center Li Yueru also requested a trade from the Storm in the same week, expressing unhappiness with her role in Seattle. The trade of Clark and the subsequent acquisition of Brittney Sykes indicate a clear effort by the Storm to address these internal issues and rebuild the team.
The WNBA launched an investigation in June 2025 into a complaint allegedly made by a former Storm player regarding profanity from an assistant coach. However, an external investigator found no findings of policy violations, discrimination, harassment, or bullying.
Despite starting the 2025 season as a premier team in the Western Conference, the Storm have experienced a losing streak of six games, with their most recent defeat being against the Atlanta Dream (85-75). If the team doesn't address the challenges it is facing, both on and off the court, it could have long-term negative effects on the franchise.
The Storm made a trade deadline move to acquire Brittney Sykes from the Washington Mystics, hoping to bolster their roster and restore team harmony. As the season progresses, fans and insiders will be closely watching to see if these changes bring about a more cohesive and successful team for the Storm.
[1] Kareem Copeland, "Alysha Clark requests trade from Storm after unworkable on-court issues, desire to control career", The Washington Post, 2025
[2] Christan, "Off The Record WNBA: Alysha Clark's Trade Request and the Seattle Storm's Locker Room Strife", Off The Record WNBA, 2025
[3] Christan, "Christan Confirms Kareem's Reporting on Alysha Clark's Trade Request and the Seattle Storm's Locker Room Strife", Off The Record WNBA, 2025
[4] Kareem Copeland, "Yueru requests trade from Storm, citing desire for more minutes in Dallas", The Washington Post, 2025
- Amidst the ongoing rumors of dissent within the Seattle Storm WNBA team, draft proposals have been floated to address the locker room strife, with a focus on incorporating players who can contribute to a harmonious sports environment, such as All-Star Brittney Sykes.
- While covering the Seattle Storm's tumultuous 2025 season, multiple journalists, including Kareem Copeland from The Washington Post and Christian from Off The Record WNBA, have reported on draft plans that potentially involve acquiring players who can help alleviate the locker room tension and bolster the team's basketball performance.
