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“I Came Here to Play”: Li Yueru Gets Brutally Honest About Seattle Storm Trade Request 1 May 19, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Storm center Li Yueru (28) is knocked to the floor during the second half against the Dallas Wings at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

'I Came Here to Play': Li Yueru Gets Brutally Honest About Seattle Storm Trade Request

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Grant Afseth | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 2:29 AM ET

Seattle Storm center Li Yueru has requested a trade just eight games into her stint with the franchise, citing a desire for more playing time as the primary reason behind her decision.

Yueru, a 6-foot-7 center from China, was acquired by Seattle in a multi-team trade from the Los Angeles Sparks this past offseason. She is averaging 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in 9.1 minutes per game, with limited opportunities behind a crowded Storm frontcourt.

“I came to America only for one reason — to play basketball,” Yueru said, according to Seattle Times reporter Percy Allen. “This team is really perfect. [This] is the best team I’ve ever [been on]… We have the best post player in the world, we have four post players, and I don’t feel I have enough time.”

Seattle Storm’s Frontcourt Depth Limits Yueru’s Role

Seattle’s frontcourt features All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, and rookie Dominique Malonga, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. All three have played ahead of Yueru in the rotation.

“I came here only to play,” Yueru said. “I’m really happy and appreciate… many different teammates. I make many new friends… staff and coach. They really [make] me feel happy, and I’m so glad for that. But playing is really important, almost like the most important thing for me.”

Yueru also expressed appreciation for her time in Seattle and emphasized that her request is not personal.

“I don’t want to be a bad or weird person,” she said. “I love this team. I’d love to stay here because I’m so happy every day… When I only play 3–4 minutes in a game, that’s a bit sad for me. I hope I can feel happy and excited every day, and I hope I can get some more time.”

National Team Considerations Also Factor In

“I Came Here to Play”: Li Yueru Gets Brutally Honest About Seattle Storm Trade Request 2 Jul 28, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; People’s Republic of China centre Yueru Li (14) handles the ball against Spain power forward Laura Gil (6) in women‚Äôs basketball group A play during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The 26-year-old is also a key contributor to the Chinese national team. She led China in scoring (17.7 points) and rebounding (11.0) at the Paris Olympics in 2024. According to a source, the Chinese Basketball Federation prefers that Yueru continue to receive significant minutes in the WNBA in order to maintain her spot on the national team.

Yueru played in 38 games for the Sparks last season, averaging 5.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.4 minutes per contest. She previously appeared in 16 games for the Chicago Sky in 2022.

Storm head coach Noelle Quinn said the team has had internal discussions about Yueru’s role, but acknowledged the difficulty in redistributing minutes given the current depth.

Possible Trade Destinations Include Dallas or Las Vegas?

“I Came Here to Play”: Li Yueru Gets Brutally Honest About Seattle Storm Trade Request 3 May 29, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) is seen during the first half against the Chicago Sky at the Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

If Seattle moves forward with a trade, possible destinations could include teams in need of frontcourt depth, such as the Dallas Wings or Las Vegas Aces. Dallas has two centers set to leave for EuroBasket—Luisa Geiselsöder and Teaira McCown—while Las Vegas could use another big to add depth.

Yueru has not been involved in team activity since news of the trade request surfaced, but the organization has not made any formal announcement.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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