NFL
By: Nathan Snell
The Connecticut Sun officially “rebuilds,” but new General Manager Morgan Tuck will say otherwise. Since 2019, the Sun has stayed competitive, but roster and coach changes have occurred along the way. The 2024 season officially peaked as they lost in the semi-final against the Minnesota Lynx.
It started on November 6th, when Stephanie White departed to become the head coach for Indiana Fever. In December, Morgan Tuck was promoted to GM, and head coach Rachid Meziane was given the nod.
Then, on February 2nd, the inevitable occurred—a four-way trade between the Connecticut Sun, Dallas Wings, Phoenix Mercury, and Indiana Fever.
Sun Receive: Rebecca Allen, Natasha Cloud (From Mercury), and Jacy Sheldon (Wings) with the 2025 No. 8 Pick (Indiana Fever).
Wings Received: Dijonai Carrington, Ty Harris, NaLyssa Smith, 2027 Third Pick Swaps (Indiana Fever), and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan contract rights, and the 2025 No. 12 (Phoenix Mercury)
Fever Received: Sophie Cunningham, 2025 No. 19 Pick (Mercury), and Jaelyn Brown.
Mercury Received: Alyssa Thomas (From Sun), Satou Sabally (From Wings), Kalani Brown (From Wings), and Sevgi Uzun (From Wings)
Not even two business days later Rebecca Allen was traded to the Sun for Lindsey Allen and the rights for Nikolina Milic.
Then Natasha Cloud on March 16th was traded to the New York Liberty for the 2025 No. 7 Pick and the 2026 First Round Pick.
To add salt to the wound, Marina Mabrey attempted to request a trade of Connecticut, which did not happen. Connecticut gave up a lot for her, and realistically, no one is taking her contract.
Other Free Agent Departures:
- Veronica Burton (Expansion Draft)
- Brionna Jones (Free Agency)
- Dewanna Bonner (Free Agency)
- Tiffany Mitchell (Free Agency)
Free Agent Signings:
- Tina Charles
- Diamond Deshields
WNBA 2025 Draft:
- No. 7 Saniya Rivers
- No. 8 Aneesah Morrow
Now going into 2025, the same question are the Sun competing? This team is going to look extremely different. Last season Mabrey came off the bench. Now she is the conductor on this team outside Nelson-Odada there is no returning player.
Everyone seems to be on the same page about making the playoffs. What have seen with this offseason still stick to their identity is defense.
The French Head Coach Meziane brings a lot of basketball experience from Belgium. Building a Belgian team that had EuroBasket success in 2023. Also finished fourth best in the Olympics. Look for this Sun team to have two new adjustments: An adaptable modern offense and a defense that will make you work.
Projected Starting Five: Jacy Sheldon, Marina Mabrey, Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Rivers, Tina Charles
Projected Scoring Leader(s): Tina Charles & Marina Mabrey
Projected Season Wins: 19 wins 8th Seed Will make the playoffs
Projected Rebounding Leader(s): Charles & Morrow
Questions/Concerns
- Will Sayina Rivers and Anessah Morrow transition smoothly?
- Is Marina Mabrey riding the 2025 season into free agency of 2026?
- Recently the team’s ownership Mohegan announced a sale of the team. At one time there was the Orlando Miracle, and now they could potentially move again.
- Six Straight playoff appearances, but this roster has questions.
- The Sun along with the Mystics and Sky are built on potential and for the future.
- Diamond Deshields’ What will be her role?
