Brittney Sykes. Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images

Mystics and Storm execute a rare win-win trade

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 9:05 PM ET

The Washington Mystics are clearly looking to hit the reset button as the 2025 WNBA trade deadline quickly approaches at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, and they made a blockbuster move that seems to back that idea up.

On the other side of a trade was a team in the Seattle Storm that's looking to fortify itself and gear up for a playoff push. As such, it was ultimately a trade that made sense for both parties.

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Mystics traded All-Star guard Brittney Sykes to the storm. In return, the Storm are sending forward Alysha Clark to D.C. Perhaps more importantly, though, Washington is also getting Seattle's 2026 first-round pick.

Also in the trade was guard Zia Cooke going from the Storm to the Mystics, but she was just trade fodder because she was waived. Washington also waived forward Sika Kone as part of the transaction.

Breaking: The Seattle Storm have acquired Brittney Sykes from the Washington Mystics in exchange for Alysha Clark, Zia Cooke and Seattle's 2026 first-round draft pick, the Storm announced. pic.twitter.com/S32nVeptnM
— ESPN (@espn) August 5, 2025

The Washington Mystics also announced they waived Zia Cooke and Sika Koné with the trade news.
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) August 5, 2025

The Mystics now have three first-round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft, and at 13-15 and losers of five of their last seven, they're clearly entering rebuild mode.

For the Storm, this is a move that makes a ton of sense because they still have two first-round picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft. They had one they could essentially give away to D.C., and in return, they received a great player in Sykes.

A ninth-year player from Syracuse, Sykes has averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 4.4 assists this season. A four-time All-Defensive selection, she made her first All-Star game this season when she replaced an injured Caitlin Clark.

One team is looking ahead to the future, while the other just got a player who can help them make a big push. Win-win trades are rare in sports, because somebody ultimately has to lose.

This one has to feel good for both organizations, though.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

More must-reads: