Aces Star Jewell Loyd Shares New Details on 'Sick' Experience With Seattle Storm

"We had a certain standard of how we handle things, how we treat people and all those things. And we swayed from that, and so that was my biggest thing," Loyd said about her issues with the team in 2024, adding:

"I was forced to be in my feelings. I was forced to be in touch with knowing what's right and what's wrong. And knowing how to deal with that, and still trying to be productive in the chaos."

While not naming names, Loyd also said that those who had her back and voiced support for her were also treated poorly by Seattle's coaching staff and/or higher-ups.

"How do I say it? What was really like upsetting was how the people that they viewed as supporting you, they started marginalizing them also. Now that part, like that's sick."

The six-time All-Star also noted she had planned on spending her entire career in a Storm uniform. "That was my vision, to retire in Seattle, to give back to the city that literally raised me. I was there since I was 21."

But the chaos, as she called it, proved to be too much, and in January, she was part of a three-team trade that sent her to Las Vegas. She also shared how her agent told her about it.

"I get a text, like: 'Hey, you're probably gonna go to Vegas in 20 minutes.' I'm like: What? She's like, 'Yeah, you're going to Vegas, probably.' Put the phone down, I'm like, there's no way they're sending me to (expletive) Vegas. It's like a contender."

Loyd is currently averaging 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists over her first five games with the Aces, who sit at 3-2.

"This group, they're just competitive," Loyd said about her new teammates. "And the cool thing is they want me to be at my best. I want them to be at their best."

Loyd faces off against her former team next, when the Aces head to Seattle on June 1.