WNBA free agency opened up, and day one was quite exciting, with Angel McCoughtry signing with the Las Vegas Aces and Kristi Toliver heading back to the Los Angeles Sparks. Here is a look at some of the other signing that went on during WNBA free agency day one.
Jonquel Jones back with Sun
The Connecticut Sun signed a pivotal piece to their WNBA Finals team, Jonquel Jones signed a multi-year deal with the Sun. Jones was a monster on both the defense and offensive ends. Jones scored 17.9 points, grabbed 10.4 rebounds, and blocked 1.5 shots per game. With an improved outside shot, Jones could be in the running for MVP next season.
Hiedeman back with Sun
Natisha Hiedeman will be back with the Connecticut Sun after a solid rookie season. Hiedeman came off the bench for the Sun and averaged 3.7 points per game. Hiedeman will be a factor off the bench for Connecticut with her hustle and willingness to play hard.
Dallas Wings were busy
The Dallas Wings re-signed a lot of players on day one of free agency. Moriah Jefferson and Megan Gustafson both signed multi-year deals.
Jefferson was acquired in a trade that sent Liz Cambage to the Las Vegas Aces. Jefferson missed last season due to injury, but in 2016 she averaged 13.9 points a game. The point guard will be a crucial piece of what Dallas wants to do.
The Wings drafted Gustafson in the 2019 draft; she was released and brought back to the Wings and 2.9 points and 2.5 points per game. She will provide more depth on the Wings bench next season.
Dallas also brought back Karlie Samuelson, Morgan Bertsch, and Imani McGee-Stafford.
Sun trade Morgan Tuck to Storm
The Connecticut Sun traded Morgan Tuck and the 11th pick of the draft to the Seattle Storm for the 7th pick in the draft. Tuck played 14 minutes off the bench for the Sun and scored 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for the Sun.
New York Liberty sign a point guard
The Liberty signed point guard Layshia Clarendon; she played for the Connecticut Sun last season. In 2017, Clarendon was an All-Star player. Clarendon missed all but nine games last season due to injury. In the nine games that Clarendon played, she averaged 6.2 points per game, 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game. The former All-star guard is a facilitating point guard with a high basketball IQ. The Liberty have the first pick in the WNBA Draft and expected to take Sabrina Ionescu out of Oregon. Clarendon could be a good teacher for Ionescu once she gets there.
