Not too long ago, Marina Mabrey requested a trade from the Chicago Sky so she could play for a contending team. During the 2024 season, she was traded to the Connecticut Sun. The Sun made it to the semifinals, and Mabrey averaged 15.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in the playoffs.
Things changed quickly in Connecticut. After several deep playoff runs in recent years, the Sun are headed for a rebuild. Alyssa Thomas was traded to the Phoenix Mercury, DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris were dealt to the Dallas Wings, and Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner left in free agency. In one big swoop, the Sun lost all of their best players, leaving Mabrey alone on a team that is far from a contender.
No one can really fault Mabrey for requesting yet another trade—she obviously wants to play for a winning team and came to Connecticut expecting to find that—and several teams are probably excited about the news. She is a good 3-point shooter and tough defender and can help teams win. Mabrey could be the missing piece for several teams with high aspirations, especially some teams who have not made many upgrades yet this season. If the Phoenix Mercury are not satisfied yet, they may even inquire about another deal with the Connecticut Sun to improve their 3-point shooting.
3. Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm may have lost Jewell Loyd this offseason, but they still have Skylar Diggins-Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor, and Gabby Williams plus the second overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. This team can still win plenty of games, even without Loyd.
One thing this team lacks, however, is 3-point shooting. The Storm finished the 2024 regular season last in 3-point percentage, and unless several players drastically up their shooting or they bring in other 3-point threats, that will not look much different in 2025. Mabrey could help with that.
Over 16 games with the Sun last season, Mabrey shot 42.5 percent on 6.2 attempts per game. For her career, she is a 36.5 percent 3-point shooter, averaging 5.2 attempts per game. Mabrey is willing to take a lot of threes, and defenses respect her as a threat from behind the arc.
If the Storm want to contend with the likes of the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces, they should call the Sun about Mabrey.
2. Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream already made two big moves this offseason, signing Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones in free agency. Those two, combined with Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, and Allisha Gray, make for an interesting group, and it seems the Dream are looking to get past the first round of the playoffs.
Mabrey could be a valuable addition. Last season, the Dream were the second-worst 3-point shooting team in the WNBA, converting only 30.8 of their attempts. Mabrey would add some much-needed firepower from beyond the arc to the mix.
If the Dream are interested in Mabrey, they also have a great basis for recruitment. Not only did Mabrey briefly play with Brionna Jones in Connecticut, but she is also currently playing in Unrivaled alongside Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada, and Brittney Griner. She and Griner are even on the same team. Unrivaled has already made a big difference this WNBA offseason and may also lead to Mabrey landing with the Dream.
1. Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx were one of the best teams in the league in 2024, and Napheesa Collier looks ready for another MVP-level season. Nevertheless, it is a little concerning that the Lynx have not made any upgrades yet while other teams around them are working hard to get better.
Trading for Mabrey could help ensure that the Lynx remain one of the top teams in the league in 2025. This Lynx team excels defensively and at spacing the floor. Mabrey would fit the team’s identity well, adding another tough perimeter defender and 3-point shooter to the mix and allowing the Lynx to make up for the two players they already lost.
Since the end of the 2024 season, the Lynx have lost Cecilia Zandalasini, who went to the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft, and Myisha Hines-Allen, who signed with the Wings in free agency. Both were two of the Lynx’s top five 3-point shooters last season, and Zandalasini played valuable minutes on the wing that the Lynx now might have to give to youngsters Diamond Miller. Mabrey would be a more proven option.
Trading for Mabrey would also mean that the Lynx would have to adjust their lineups and rotations, finding a way to balance minutes for Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Courtney Williams, and Mabrey. At the same time, trading for Mabrey could act as an injury insurance for the Lynx.
The main question is if the Lynx are willing to mess at all with the group that carried the team to Game 5 of the 2024 Finals or if they are more comfortable giving them another season together.