Midseason trades are pure chaos in every major U.S. league, and the WNBA is no different. Well… except it is. You might wonder why the W’s trade deadline isn’t as wild as the NBA’s or NFL’s. The answer is a hard salary cap that makes pulling off deals a financial puzzle. Most teams simply can’t make the numbers work. Still, some teams (Mystics headlining, obviously) somehow found a way to shake up their rosters, pulling off two big trades before the August 7, 3 p.m. ET deadline. So, were they worth it? Let’s rank every move.

Trade 1: Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings 

The Lynx get: DiJonai Carrington

The Wings get: Diamond Miller, Karlie Samuelson, and Minnesota’s 2027 second-round pick

Dallas grade: B-

When DiJonai Carrington arrived in Dallas back in February, it felt like a move with intent. The Wings wanted a defensive bulldog on the perimeter; Carrington was looking for more room to grow offensively. On paper, it seemed like a perfect fit. Fast forward six months, and things never quite clicked. A rib injury sidelined her early, and even after returning, Carrington shifted to a bench role. The writing was on the wall: her runway in Dallas was short. From a career standpoint, she admitted the adjustment was tough, so this trade is surprising, but not shocking.

The Wings’ recent roster moves tell a bigger story. Head coach Curt Miller, new in Dallas himself, has been rebuilding. Earlier this year, he brought in guard Ty Harris from Phoenix, forward NaLyssa Smith from Indiana, Carrington, plus a draft pick. But Harris was lost for the season with injury, Smith is now with Las Vegas, and Carrington is headed to Minnesota. So Miller’s offseason moves, in a way, have faltered. But this time, can it do good to D-Town?

To finalize this midseason deal, Dallas also waived Teaira McCowan and later Samuelson, who recently underwent surgery after a season-ending foot injury she suffered on June 29. The team will oversee Samuelson’s rehab into the offseason. See, from a salary standpoint, it’s a wash; this trade doesn’t affect either team’s cap space.  From a basketball standpoint, though, the Wings may have quietly picked up value. Miller missed much of her rookie year after knee surgery, and this season played 20+ minutes just three times. But when she has been on the floor, she’s been efficient, hitting 43% from two and 14-of-26 from three. With her size, perimeter skills, and upside, she could grow into a long-term asset alongside Dallas’ young core.

Minnesota grade: B+

The Lynx, in full title-chase mode, land DiJonai Carrington’s defensive grit and playoff-ready mentality. While Wings letting go of Nai might still be questioned, it’s very clear that shipping Miller was the right choice for Minnesota. Why? With a title push in sight, there was no time to think about next year or Diamond’s development. For them, it’s only about winning now.

And with Napheesa Collier sidelined, the timing couldn’t be better. For those questioning Carrington’s dip in production this year, remember: Cheryl Reeve is one of the best defensive coaches in basketball. Carrington gives Minnesota another elite option to throw at opponents’ top perimeter scorers once the postseason hits. Her résumé speaks for itself as the 2024 Most Improved Player, All-Defensive First Team, and fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. On paper, it looks like a blockbuster pickup.

There is a caveat, though. Carrington is on an expiring $200,000 contract, meaning she’s only guaranteed through season’s end. By WNBA standards, that’s a pricey rental. But if her defense and depth swing even one playoff series in Minnesota’s favor, the Lynx will consider it worth every dollar.

Trade 2:Washington Mystics and Seattle Storm

The Storm get: Brittney Sykes

The Mystics get: Alysha Clark, Zia Cooke, and 2026 first-round draft pick

Seattle grade: A-

Why would DC part ways with Sykes, their leader all season? This might be the question on everyone’s mind. Well, looks like Sykes might’ve been the one who asked for it. Her goodbye post was subtle but revealing.

The Storm are teetering on the playoff bubble. A tough spot that forces them to prepare for both possibilities. Alysha Clark has been a steady veteran presence, but her play has dipped to the point of signaling she may be nearing the end of her career. Zia Cooke, meanwhile, was unlikely to crack the playoff rotation.

Hence, Sykes’ arrival gives Seattle a versatile defender who plays bigger than her frame and can create offense for herself and others. She solves multiple problems for Seattle. First, as we know, Storm’s defense has been their backbone, but their offense continues to stall. The team is shooting a league-worst 29.7% from behind the arc. While Sykes is a career 30% shooter from deep, she’s been slightly more accurate this season (32%) than Clark (29%). In 25 games this season, she has just 10 appearances without a make from behind the arc. Also, she’s elite at drawing fouls, another issue for Storm.

Draft capital wasn’t an issue here. Thanks to previous trades, the Storm hold three first-round picks in 2026, with their own selection likely falling in the 10–15 range. All told, this move doesn’t solve everything, but it’s a calculated one worth taking risks.

Washington grade: A-

Note: Mystics waived Zia Cooke

If the Storm came out ahead in this deal, the Mystics quietly scored just as big. For those keeping track, Washington now holds three first-round picks (their own, Seattle’s, and Minnesota’s), not counting their other selections in the 2026 WNBA Draft. That kind of draft capital puts them in a position to target names like Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, or Azzi Fudd. Prospects that could shift the balance of power in the league.

It’s no secret D.C. is building for the future at this point, and recent history shows why that’s promising. The 2025 draft brought them multiple lottery selections, including three of the top six picks. They used them to land Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron, and Georgia Amoore. While Amoore’s season was cut short by an ACL injury, Iriafen and Citron have been outstanding. Undoubtedly, Mystics now have one of the league’s most exciting young cores.

As for Clark, don’t let her recent stat line fool you. She still brings value as a veteran leader. There’s a reason both the Storm and the Aces pursued her in the offseason. She’s also no stranger to D.C., having played there in 2021 and 2022. For Clark personally, this is a reset. In Washington, she’s likely to see more minutes while guiding a young roster through its rebuild. Indeed, for the Mystics, it’s a perfect blend of experience and future planning, quietly. 

Trade 3: Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun

The Sun get: Aaliyah Edwards

The Mystics get: Jacy Sheldon, Right to swap 2026 first-round draft picks

Washington grade: B+

While we’re grading moves separately, it’s fair to say that overall, Washington deserves an A for their last-minute dealings. They positioned themselves as long-term winners.

The Aaliyah Edwards trade, though, wasn’t exactly a shock. But the destination was. Most expected her to land with the Chicago Sky or the Golden State Valkyries, so seeing the Sun step in caught people off guard. Still, Edwards’ departure made sense. She had been a frontcourt anchor, but once Kiki Iriafen cemented herself in the starting lineup, Edwards’ role no longer fit, especially given her limited range beyond the mid-range. It has to be more about depth than talent, though. 

At the same time, despite being primarily known for her defense, Jacy Sheldon also brings much-needed backcourt depth and a better balance to the Mystics’ young core. Sheldon is a proven floor-spacer, taking half of her shots from deep this season and converting an impressive 41.2% of them. On a team that currently ranks last in three-point attempts, that’s a critical boost.

Beyond the numbers, Sheldon brings energy and edge, something fans saw earlier this year. And while it hasn’t drawn much attention yet, Washington could end up getting more value from the pick swap, too. 

Sun grade: A-

Aaliyah Edwards is returning to her second home and stepping into a full-on Husky reunion. During her standout college career at UConn, she led the Huskies to three NCAA Final Four appearances and one national championship game. While her professional career hasn’t yet mirrored that level of dominance, reuniting with fellow UConn alums Bria Hartley, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and Tina Charles could spark a new chapter. In her rookie WNBA season, Edwards averaged 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. While those numbers may not jump off the page, steady growth as a young player suggests there’s much more to come.

For the franchise, this is likely their worst (and, in a way, most expected) season. This move offers a long-term boost as they prepare for a potential relocation to Boston in 2027. Rookie guards Saniya Rivers and Leila Lacan can help steady the backcourt, but Edwards could be a pivotal piece for the frontcourt’s future.

Right now, that frontcourt is…doubtful. Nelson-Ododa has been good, the perfect bridge between two Sun timelines. Even rookie Aneesah Morrow has flashed potential, though her size raises concerns. Charles remains the leader, but she’s nearing the end of her career. Hence, all three are not solid locks. Could Edwards turn out to be their smartest move?

A Win for all, but the real test awaits

All things considered, these deadline moves were, in one way or another, wins on paper for every team involved. However, with nearly 100 players set to hit free agency next year, an expansion draft on the horizon, and a new CBA looming, it’s far too early to stamp any of them as definitive successes. As we’ve seen, even the most hyped offseason plans don’t always unfold as expected. 

Now, all that’s left is to watch how it all plays out.