Brittney Sykes Trade Is Surprising but Needed

Sykes’ Breakout Season

Sykes is an elite defensive player (two-time steals champ and four-time All-Defensive Team member). She became an All-Star for the first time this season. She is averaging 15.4 points and a career-high 4.4 assists per game. This move clears minutes, giving Sykes a chance to play on a potential playoff team and compete for a championship.

The team is putting together a rebuild. This move clears more minutes for Lucy Olsen and Georgia Amoore, who are set to come back next season. Amoore will possibly be one of the starting guards next season, barring any setbacks from her recovery. The Mystics are looking to build a core of Amoore, Shakira Austin, Sonia Citron, Aaliyah Edwards, Kiki Iriafen, and Olsen.

The New Mystics Player

On the flip side, the Mystics bring back Alysha Clark, who played with in Washington during the 2022 season. The three-time WNBA champion brings a veteran presence to a very young team.

Clark is also a Sixth Player of the Year award winner, so she knows what it takes to sacrifice for the betterment of the team. She absolutely can come in and fill the leadership void that Sykes would be leaving behind. 

This puts Sykes in a winning situation, which is something she deserves. The young players want and deserve more opportunities to prove themselves in this league, and this is the perfect chance. More touches will be available, and more players will look to shine.

This can be looked at as a win-win for both Sykes and the Mystics going forward. The future is bright for this Washington Mystics young core.