WNBA News: Connecticut Sun acquire Bria Holmes from Atlanta Dream

The Connecticut Sun have acquired two-year pro Bria Holmes from the Atlanta Dream in exchange for two second round draft picks.

Holmes was the 11th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft out of West Virginia. She missed just three games in her first two years with the Dream, logging north of 20 minutes per game each season.

The Dream will receive the No. 15 overall pick in Thursday’s draft and Connecticut’s own 2019 second rounder from the Sun in the deal. Atlanta also holds the No. 16 and No. 27 overall picks in the 2018 WNBA Draft.

Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller said the following in Thursday’s team release:

"We are ecstatic about the opportunity to acquire Bria Holmes from Atlanta and look forward to her return for the 2019 season. Bria is an outstanding wing who will thrive in our up-tempo offensive system. She has great length and has already proven to be a disruptive defender at the WNBA level. It is exciting to bring Bria back to the state of Connecticut where she enjoyed great success in high school."

Atlanta enters Thursday’s draft with 10 players under contract. Without a first round pick this year, Atlanta may have a player or two on their board early in the second round that they’d really like to get in training camp and on their roster in 2018.

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Connecticut already has 12 players under contract for the 2018 season. Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller already will be facing a tough decision just to make room for his 2018 first round pick, assuming the Sun intend to keep that player.

Holmes announced in a team release back in January that she would miss the 2018 season due to pregnancy. Via the team release:

"“Unfortunately, I will have to miss the 2018 season because I’m expecting but I plan to return to the Dream in 2019 stronger, healthier and ready to play. As a female professional athlete, it is hard to start a family while playing year-round but this little human inside of me is truly a blessing to me, my family, and my boyfriend. I’m so happy and thankful I can continue my career after my bundle of joy is here. To my coaches, teammates, staff, & fans I want to thank you so much for all your support and help since I was drafted in 2016 and wish everyone good luck this season – I’ll be cheering you all on! One Dream, One Team.”"

Holmes is a promising young player on the wing at 6’1. She is confident in her midrange game and as a cutter. Holmes also has the physical tools that a team may want to continue to tap into on the defensive end.

This move makes basketball sense for the Sun. They are five deep in the backcourt and are stocked with forwards. If there’s room anywhere on their roster for another depth piece, it’s on the wing behind the recently re-signed Shekinna Stricklen.

The trade also makes sense longterm. Because Holmes is going to miss the entire 2018 season, the Sun can suspend her and get her salary off their books. Connecticut’s depth will not force them to turn somebody loose too soon. By next season, another move via trade or in free agency could pave the way for the team to offer a her a bigger role with the hopeful WNBA title contender.

Next: 4 fake trades for WNBA Draft day (plus a new mock draft!)

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