The Phoenix Mercury has made a lot of changes in this year’s free agency with five new acquisitions. Let’s take a look at how the new members of the Phoenix Mercury will fit into the system.
Recap of the 2019 Phoenix Mercury Team
In 2019, the Phoenix Mercury had an injury-plagued season. They finished the regular season with a record of 15-19. They also qualified for the playoffs and lost in the first round to Chicago.
The Mercury went from being the oldest team in the WNBA to receiving more energy and fresh legs.
Acquired All-Star Guard Skylar Diggins-Smith for Three First Round Picks
As first reported by Rachel Galligan, On February 12, 2019, the Mercury traded two first-round picks from this year’s draft and one from next year’s to acquire Skylar Diggins-Smith.
⭐️4x WNBA All-Star
⭐️3x All-WNBA
⭐️2014 Most Improved Player
⭐️2013 No. 3 Overall PickComing to a Madhouse near you. pic.twitter.com/496A2eKL2B
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 12, 2020
The Phoenix Mercury needed an athletic point guard with a great ability to score. In 2018, she averaged 17 PPG and 6 AST as she played pregnant all season with the Dallas Wings. Additionally, Diggins-Smith was one of the top targets for the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason. As they prepare for the future, she replaces DeWanna Bonner, who was signed and traded to Connecticut to form the new Big Three in Phoenix.
Phoenix Mercury GM Pitman’s words on the new acquisition of Skylar Diggins-Smith:
“Participants with Skylar’s skill set and ceiling don’t become available in free agency often. She was our top target this offseason. We think teaming her with Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner will give us the league’s most dynamic offensive trio.”
Signed Bria Hartley
On February 13, 2020, Bria Hartley signed a three-year $185,000 deal with the Mercury.
A 2x NCAA champion joins the 3x WNBA champs.
?: https://t.co/Bpe6LUtY9V pic.twitter.com/DKM9FAdJHz
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 13, 2020
The Mercury needs a backup shooting guard for Diana Taurasi, and Bria Hartley is the real deal. In the 2019 season with the New York Liberty, she had her best statistics in her WNBA career. Hartley averaged a career-high 9.8 PPG, 3.2 TRB, and 3.2 AST. Without a doubt, she’ll be the X-Factor of the team, as she is really talented.
Mercury GM Jim Pitman’s description on Hartley:
“Bria Hartley is a young, athletic, playmaking guard. She’s coming off one of the best seasons in her six-year career with New York and we’re excited to pair her alongside our new ‘Big Three’ here in Phoenix. Her ability to pass the ball and knock down three-pointers provides us more depth to an already potent offense.”
Acquired Forwards Jessica Breland and Nia Coffey from the Atlanta Dream in a Three-Team Trade
Mercury needs some depth to solve their rebounding woes. They have traded Briann January to Connecticut for forwards Jessica Breland and Nia Coffey to make cap space.
Jessica Breland is a really good rebounder on both ends of the court. In 243 games, she averages 7.3 PPG, 5.9 TRB, and 1.3 BLK. In addition, she’ll be competing with Brianna Turner for the starting spot in the power forward position.
Nia Coffey can play various positions. In her WNBA career, she averages 4.0 PPG and 2.3 TRB. She’ll be one of the bench pieces for the Phoenix Mercury in the season. In 2019 with the Dream, she scored 5.0 PPG and a career-best 2.8 TRB. Apart from this, she has more room to grow for the future in the W.
Mercury GM Pitman’s description on Breland and Coffey:
“We’re excited to add two highly-skilled, high character forwards in Jessica and Nia, we know they will make individual contributions this year… Adding one of the league’s best rebounders, to our frontcourt, with Griner B. Turner is big for us. Adding a player like Nia made this deal very appealing.”
Signed Center Kia Vaughn to Backup Brittney Griner
The 6″ 4′ center Kia Vaughn has filled in the needs for a backup center for Brittney Griner. As of now, she plays in Turkey for Elazig, scoring 20.9 PPG and 9.1 TRB. And to add into this, she’ll be reuniting with teammate Bria Hartley.
Wow @KIA_VAUGHN to the @PhoenixMercury!!! Great add to the front court! Great rebounder and defender. Can even spread the floor to give Griner room inside when in together ??
— WomensBasketball247 (@womensbball247) February 24, 2020
Mercury GM Jim Pitman on Kia Vaughn:
“She is a high-caliber veteran who brings size, toughness and playoff experience to an already improved roster… Just like our other additions, Kia will be a great fit in Phoenix.”
Diana Taurasi has words on New Acquisitions
Diana is really ecstatic about the additions of Hartley and SDS (As I am too!):
“I always love playing with dynamic guards,” Taurasi said. “Obviously Skylar will take a little pressure off the ball handling and the decision making. We needed more scoring in the perimeter, that was just the bottom line. The Mercury depended on BG so much that it’s unsustainable… I believe it gives us a little more scoring punch and being more dynamic on the perimeter, which is always when we’ve been at our best in this league.”
What’s next for the Phoenix Mercury?
The guards who could be selected with the 10th (pick the Phoenix Mercury has this year) could be Crystal Dangerfield or Tyasha Harris. I’m wondering what’ll happen to the 12th roster spot as well.
I’m really excited about the Phoenix Mercury roster for the 2020 season! And the return of a healthy Diana Taurasi! Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @ayaabdeen__ for more content. And check out more WNBA articles by the Belly Up Sports family.
