Jewell Loyd has reportedly requested a trade from the Seattle Storm. Loyd, who has spent her entire career in the WNBA with the Storm, is going to receive trade interest from other teams. The 31-year-old is still one of the best guards in the league. In fact, Loyd, who is a six-time All-Star, has been selected to four consecutive All-Star games.
Where will Loyd be traded if Seattle does indeed decide to make a move? She signed a two-year contract extension in 2023, but now Loyd's request will force Seattle to reconsider their basketball future. They enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign, but trading Loyd will obviously impact their 2025 season.
There are a number of teams that make sense for Loyd as landing destinations, but here are three potential suitors who qualify as top landing spots for the six-time All-Star.
3. Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell is a free agent. If Mitchell returns then the Fever may not have interest in acquiring Loyd, as that would give Indiana three star guards along with Caitlin Clark. If necessary, Indiana could start all three players, though.
However, Mitchell is a free agent which means she may find a new team ahead of the 2025 campaign. The Fever want to continue to build a contending roster around Clark, so acquiring an established veteran such as Loyd would make sense.
One has to imagine that Mitchell will be a core player. Still, having Mitchell, Clark and Loyd on the same team would not be a bad idea. Sure, it would be a guard-heavy roster but the Fever could still make it work.
2. Las Vegas Aces
In similar fashion to the Fever, the Aces have a star set to enter free agency in Kelsey Plum. The Aces may also choose to make Plum a core player, however.
Las Vegas already has a number of lucrative contracts on the roster, so the chances of the Aces trading for Loyd if Plum remains in Las Vegas are slim. They could offer the Storm an enticing enough trade package to complete a deal, though.
There is a sense of urgency for the Aces this offseason after losing in the playoffs to the New York Liberty this past year. Las Vegas was establishing a dynasty after winning the WNBA Finals in 2022 and 2023, so they want to return to the championship in 2025. Jewell Loyd knows what it takes to win, so the Aces may have interest in acquiring her.
1. Chicago Sky
The Sky arguably make the most sense as a trade suitor for Loyd. Loyd is from Illinois and Chicago needs to add another star or two around Angel Reese. Sure, the Sky are still rebuilding and they probably will not compete for a championship in 2025, but adding a veteran such as Loyd would only help Chicago.
Loyd may welcome a trade to the Sky as she would be able to return home. Playing alongside a star with a high-ceiling like Reese will only make the situation more appealing. Reese has an opportunity to become one of the best players in the WNBA, and the Sky could compete sooner rather than later by adding Loyd.