Trades are usually evaluated based on draft picks and roster planning, but for Aneesah Morrow, her move to the Toronto Tempo carries much deeper personal meaning. Toronto has expressed a lot of confidence in her following the trade, and now Morrow has spoken out when asked about the Tempo GM’s comments on her arrival.
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During her introductory press conference as a member of the Tempo, she spoke on the subject to reporters in a clip shared to X by HoopThereItIs.
“For me, I would say that it’s important to be in a place where you’re valued and appreciated. That’s what I get from that. But just hearing from my teammates, they want the best for me. And it’s great to be around individuals like that, that want the best for you, and the ultimate goal is to win.”
Morrow was speaking about Toronto GM Monica Wright Rogers, who told reporters after trading for her from the Connecticut Sun that she was “thrilled to welcome” Morrow to the team, per NBC Sports. Wright Rogers gave up a 2028 second-rounder as well as the draft rights to Maria Kliundikova.
“She’s a relentless competitor who impacts the game in so many ways, particularly with her ability to rebound at a high level. We believe she’s one of the emerging frontcourt talents in this league, and we’re excited to see her play in a Tempo uniform.”
Wright Rogers’ comments make sense when we look at Toronto’s season so far. In the expansion team’s first year, they have carved out an impressive offense built almost entirely upon perimeter shooting. Despite the positives, the team is still prone to late-game meltdowns due to cold streaks and lack of high-level rim protection.
Aneesah Morrow solves both issues. The 23-year-old forward has already demonstrated that she can score and rebound at a high level and has already shown flashes of All-Star-level potential during her time with the Sun. This season, she’s averaging 11.6 points and 8.9 rebounds on 42.1% from the field, and has the eighth-most double-doubles in the league, with nine, per a July 31 report by NBC Sports.
This acquisition is beneficial for Morrow as well, who has been playing some of her best basketball yet. The Tempo offers a perfect fit for her skills and the opportunity to play alongside players who will support her playstyle.
Toronto offers Aneesah Morrow a fresh start after breakout stretch with the Sun
The move also comes at the perfect time for Morrow. Before being traded, she had begun making a name for herself with her best season yet, scoring 21 points in two games after returning from an injury as absences opened up minutes for her in the Sun frontcourt.
Following her departure, Sun president Jen Rizzotti made sure to congratulate Morrow on her new opportunity and praised her for the time with the organization.
“We are incredibly grateful for the time Aneesah spent with the Connecticut Sun and for the professionalism, commitment, and buy-in she showed from the moment we drafted her. She embraced our vision, was a tremendous ambassador for our franchise both on and off the court, and built meaningful relationships with our fans, her teammates, and staff. We wish Aneesah nothing but continued success in the next chapter of her career.”
Toronto also offers a degree of familiarity for Aneesah Morrow. The trade reunites her with former teammate Marina Mabrey, now Toronto’s leading scorer, who left Connecticut after being selected by the Tempo in the expansion draft. Mabrey even celebrated Morrow joining the team.
“🐶🐶 lfgggg @aneesahmorrow24,” she wrote, reposting the trade announcement on her Instagram story.
In her first game as a member of the Tempo, Morrow played 16 minutes off the bench, logging eight points and five rebounds as the team unfortunately went down against the Golden State Valkyries, going down to 13th in the standings after their record fell to 10-20, having lost seven in a row. GM Wright Rogers will hope that Aneesah Morrow can help the team reach a playoff berth in the 14 games that remain in the regular season for the Tempo.