WNBA team Connecticut Sun secure Aaliyah Edwards from Washington Mystics in a trade deal prior to the Trade Deadline.
Aaliyah Edwards Traded to Connecticut Sun as Mystics Rebuild
The WNBA trade deadline brought a significant shakeup as the Washington Mystics traded Aaliyah Edwards to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for guard Jacy Sheldon and the right to swap first-round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Edwards, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, spent her rookie season with the Mystics before being traded. In her time with Washington, she averaged 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 21.8 minutes per game, often starting games before missing some time due to injury.
With the Sun, Edwards' role has changed, as she will be a reserve and play about 13.3 minutes per game. Despite the limited minutes, Edwards has maintained solid shooting efficiency, making over 51% on two-pointers and improving her free-throw frequency per 40 minutes.
| Aspect | 2024 (Washington Mystics) | 2025 (Connecticut Sun) | |------------------|----------------------------------|------------------------------| | Points per game | 7.6 | 6.0 | | Rebounds per game | 5.6 | 3.3 | | Assists per game | 1.4 | 0.4 | | Minutes per game | 21.8 | 13.3 | | Role | Starter / key contributor | Reserve / limited minutes | | Trade details | Traded for Jacy Sheldon + 2026 draft pick swap | N/A |
The trade also saw the Mystics trade veteran guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Zia Cooke, Alysha Clark, and Seattle's first-round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
For the Sun, Edwards joins a young core that includes Saniya Rivers and Aneesah Morrow as the franchise builds toward the future. The Sun's team rebounds per game is the lowest in the league at 31.4, and the addition of Edwards could help improve this area.
The Mystics, now in rebuild mode, have six future picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft, including the right to swap with Connecticut. Forward-center Shakira Austin is a bright spot for the Mystics' future, and the team also selected all-star guards Sonia Citron third overall, Kiki Iriafen fourth overall, and Georgia Amoore sixth overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Sheldon, who played for the Dallas Wings earlier in her professional career, heads to the Mystics, a team that currently ranks 10th in the league in 3-point shooting percentage (32.2%). The Mystics will be hoping that Sheldon's 3-point shooting and ability to score at all three levels will help improve their offensive output.
The trade comes hours before the deadline ends at 3 p.m. ET, and it also sees the Connecticut Sun's frontcourt strengthen with the addition of former UConn alums Tina Charles and Olivia Nelson-Ododa.
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