Phoenix Mercury’s bold trade reshapes roster with Satou Sabally addition

Phoenix Mercury boost their roster with the acquisition of Satou Sabally in a three-team trade, signaling their intentions for the 2025 season.

Satou Sabally celebrates her team's WNBA Championship during a parade in New York City on October 24, 2024. Photo by Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images

By Randy Ahmad and Yuni Utomo

The 2025 WNBA season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with teams making significant moves to position themselves for success. The Phoenix Mercury have been among the most active teams this offseason, and their latest acquisition, Satou Sabally, is undoubtedly one of the biggest moves of the year. In a blockbuster three-team trade on Friday night, the Phoenix Mercury traded for the two-time All-Star forward from the Dallas Wings, further solidifying their already talented roster. This trade is not just a headline grabber—it’s a statement of intent, showing the Mercury’s determination to be contenders in 2025.

The trade, which involves three teams—the Phoenix Mercury, Dallas Wings, and Indiana Fever—brings a flurry of changes to the WNBA landscape. Let’s break down the full scope of the trade and what it means for each team involved.

A reshaped future for the Mercury, Wings, and Fever

The Phoenix Mercury will receive two key players as part of this complex three-team trade: forward Satou Sabally from Dallas and guard Sophie Cunningham, who is headed to the Indiana Fever. In return, the Wings will acquire two players from the Mercury—point guard Ty Harris and forward Mikiah "Kiki" Herbert Harrigan. The Fever will also acquire a valuable asset in the form of NaLyssa Smith and a top draft pick, No. 8 overall in this year’s draft. Meanwhile, the Mercury will gain center Kalani Brown and point guard Sevgi Uzun from Dallas.

The details of the trade underscore the long-term ambitions of the Phoenix Mercury. By securing Sabally, they are adding one of the WNBA’s premier players to their roster, and it is clear that they are positioning themselves as one of the top teams in the league. Let’s delve deeper into the players involved and their respective roles within their new teams.

Satou Sabally: A dynamic addition for Phoenix

Satou Sabally’s move to the Phoenix Mercury is undoubtedly the centerpiece of this trade. The 26-year-old forward, who has spent the last several seasons with the Dallas Wings, is an elite talent with a well-rounded game. Over the past few years, she has emerged as one of the top players in the WNBA, making two All-Star appearances and earning the 2023 Most Improved Player award.

Sabally is a versatile forward capable of scoring from all areas on the floor. In 2024, she averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, despite being limited to only 15 games due to a shoulder injury. These numbers still put her in the upper echelons of WNBA players, and her ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game makes her an ideal addition for the Mercury.

In 2023, Sabally was even more dominant, posting 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Her all-around game is what makes her such a valuable asset, and her presence in Phoenix will undoubtedly strengthen the team’s offense and defense. Sabally’s combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking gives Phoenix a dynamic weapon that can impact the game in various ways.

Through five seasons in the WNBA, Sabally has averaged 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. These impressive numbers demonstrate her consistency and ability to perform at a high level in all aspects of the game. As she joins the Mercury, Sabally will complement the team’s existing talent, including former WNBA MVP Brittney Griner and newly acquired star Alyssa Thomas, who joined Phoenix earlier this offseason.

Sabally’s arrival in Phoenix is not just about the numbers—it's about her leadership and ability to elevate the performance of those around her. The Mercury will rely on her to be a key figure in both the offense and defense as they push for a championship in 2025.

The players heading to Dallas and Indiana

While the Phoenix Mercury are the big winners of this trade, the other teams involved also stand to benefit from the moves made. For the Dallas Wings, the addition of Ty Harris and Mikiah "Kiki" Herbert Harrigan gives them key pieces to build around moving forward.

Ty Harris, 26, brings a strong shooting presence to the Wings’ lineup. Harris is a career 38.3 percent shooter from beyond the arc, and her ability to stretch the floor will be an asset to Dallas. In her previous seasons, she has averaged 6.6 points and 2.6 assists per game, and her shooting prowess makes her a reliable scoring option in the backcourt. Harris will provide Dallas with added depth and versatility, helping the team stay competitive as they transition away from Sabally’s departure.

Mikiah "Kiki" Herbert Harrigan, also 26, is a more experienced player but with less of a high-profile role in the WNBA. Having spent time with Minnesota, Seattle, and Phoenix over her three-year career, she has been a role player with limited opportunities. In 2024, she played in 31 games for the Mercury, producing 3.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per contest. While her numbers might not stand out, Herbert Harrigan’s defensive ability and versatility could prove valuable for Dallas as they look to bolster their roster for the future.

The Indiana Fever, meanwhile, are acquiring a talented forward in NaLyssa Smith. At just 24 years old, Smith has shown promise during her brief WNBA career. However, 2024 was a down year for Smith, who posted her worst numbers in terms of points (10.6) and rebounds (7.1). Despite these struggles, Smith’s previous seasons have been impressive. In 2023, she averaged 15.5 points and 9.2 rebounds, establishing herself as a dominant force in the paint. The Fever will look to unlock Smith’s potential as she continues to develop in her young career.

The addition of Smith and the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft gives Indiana an opportunity to build for the future while also staying competitive in the short term. The Fever are focused on reshaping their roster, and the arrival of Smith will provide them with a key building block moving forward.

A clear path to championship contention

The Phoenix Mercury’s offseason moves have demonstrated a clear and focused strategy: retool for a championship push in 2025. The addition of Sabally adds to an already strong roster, and when combined with the acquisition of Alyssa Thomas and the return of Griner, Phoenix now has a championship-caliber lineup.

The Mercury’s moves signal their intent to challenge the league’s elite teams. Sabally’s dynamic play and versatility will provide Phoenix with another weapon to use against top-tier competition, while Thomas adds experience and leadership to the team. With a roster full of talent, the Mercury will be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.

As the WNBA season approaches, the Phoenix Mercury are positioning themselves as one of the teams to beat. Their aggressive approach this offseason, highlighted by the trade for Sabally, has sent a clear message to the rest of the league. Phoenix is not simply looking to compete—they are looking to win it all in 2025.

The Phoenix Mercury’s acquisition of Satou Sabally from the Dallas Wings is one of the most impactful moves of the 2025 WNBA offseason. With the addition of Sabally, along with other key moves, Phoenix has set itself up as a strong contender for the upcoming season. As the Mercury continue to build around their core of star players, the team’s aspirations for a championship have never been clearer. With Sabally in the fold, Phoenix is ready to take on the challenges of the 2025 season and make a serious run for the title.