Did impatience get the better of Washington? The Mystics are in an awkward phase of a rebuild—they’re good enough to win a dozen games, but not experienced enough to confidently make a deep playoff run. Even with Sykes gone, they have Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, two newly minted All-Stars! But the team is looking to shake things up and make some pretty big moves. After all, the goal is to win, right? So, a couple of hours ago, they decided to move up the 2024 draft by swapping pick no.6, Aaliyah Edwards, to pick no.5, Jacy Sheldon from the Sun.

Why did the Washington Mystics trade Aaliyah Edwards despite her promising efforts?

Let’s be clear, Aaliyah Edwards is a hooper. The six-foot-three forward had a historical run at UConn, and no one was surprised to see her go top 10 in the 2024 WNBA draft. In her very first season with the Mystics, Edwards put up 7.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and almost a block and a steal a game in just 21 minutes of PT. We all saw the vision, and it was exciting to witness!

However, a lower back contusion and a new coaching staff saw Edwards’ numbers drop slightly in her second season in the W. Moreover, the Mystics’ front court had been doing pretty well with Iriafen and Austin. What ended up happening was that the Mystics’ frontcourt depth was too large, and Edwards’ lower production and past injuries meant that trading her away was the best option for the team. After the Sykes trade, they needed more spacing and someone to shoot the three-ball at a pretty high clip. Now, that’s something Jacy Sheldon can definitely do!

The five-foot-ten guard is averaging 7.5 points and 2.3 assists on 41% from deep, and is a menace on the defensive end as well. Her quick-release shooting action and developing court vision are more of what Washington needs right now as they look to start winning soon. Or, as per Mystics’ GM Jamila Wideman, Sheldon can “read the game on both ends of the court” and has improved her game stemming from a “solid rookie campaign.”

Why does Aaliyah Edwards fit the Connecticut Sun so well?

Aaliyah Edwards dropped off slightly in her second year. That’s not opinion, it is a fact. Instead of her seven odd points and five odd rebounds, the six-foot-three forward dropped to around six points and three boards a game. Some say it’s because of injury concerns, while some doubt the Washington Mystics’ management for their misuse of the young prospect. It isn’t exactly their fault—Kiki Iriafen has been balling out for the team since day one, and Shakira Austin is very reliable.

But while Edwards was expendable for Washington, it looks like the Connecticut Sun is going to treat her like their prized gem. It is a homecoming for Edwards in a way. She hooped with UConn for her entire college career, averaging almost a 17-point triple-double in her senior season. Not only is the former Mystics forward coming home, she’s also going to be playing alongside familiar faces for the first time in a while!

With the addition of Aaliyah Edwards, the Connecticut Sun now has four former Huskies on the roster! Having Tina Charles, Bria Hartley, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa to play alongside will create better comfort for the six-foot-three forward, and the chemistry should be exciting to watch. Not to mention, Connecticut’s poor record means that Edwards will see more playing time and is all set to build a killer frontcourt duo alongside rookie Aneesah Morrow.

What does this trade signal about the future of both teams?

Okay, here’s the truth: We know for sure that the Sun isn’t reaching the playoffs, and Washington doesn’t really have much scope to turn their fortunes around either. Trading Aaliyah Edwards for Jacy Sheldon is basically a Band-Aid fix for the Mystics right now. Until rookie Georgia Amoore comes back from injury next season, they need someone to run point and to shoot the ball at a high clip. So, in terms of fit and in terms of requirements, this was a pretty decent trade for the Washington Mystics.

However, they did lose the opportunity of a lifetime by trading away Edwards. There is no two ways about it, the sophomore Sun forward passes the eye test ten times out of ten. She’s a determined finisher and incredibly active on defense. Not to mention, she moves really well for her size and uses her reach to protect the paint rather well.

The Sun is ecstatic to have her on board! Morgan Tuck, the General Manager of the Connecticut Sun, issued a rather positive statement about the young forward. “Bringing Aaliyah to the Connecticut Sun is more than just a roster move; it’s a statement about where we’re headed as a franchise. Aaliyah is a transformational talent with the mindset and drive that aligns with our vision of building a championship culture.” Transformational talent is right! Edwards shows an immense amount of potential and can definitely grow into a franchise cornerstone in the future.

It will be interesting to see how both teams fare after this trade. On paper, Washington’s biggest issue has just been resolved. However, will they feel the absence of Edwards’ important production off the bench? And will the Sun give her the environment she needs to grow? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates!