The Chicago Sky were in the eighth and final playoff when they traded Marina Mabrey in July. The Olympic break had just begun, and the 28-year-old guard wanted out (subscription required). The Sky granted that request by sending her and a second-round draft pick to the Sun for Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, one first-rounder, and a first-round swap.
The move instantly backfired as Chicago went 3-13 down the stretch. The slump and a season-ending injury crushed Angel Reese’s Rookie of the Year chances. Without Mabrey’s playmaking and connecting, the Sky had the worst net rating in the W after the break and crashed into the lottery. Expect plenty of shake-ups this offseason, but things are not done looking bad from this deal.
The Sun dominated the Fever 93-69 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday afternoon behind an incredible performance from Mabrey. Connecticut shut down Caitlin Clark and took control of the best-of-3 series. Mabrey had to step up after an injury, but nobody expected this.
Marina Mabrey drops 27 off the bench in Game 1 blowout win over Fever
The Sky were sitting at home watching the playoffs as their former guard was called upon early. Starter Tyasha Harris suffered an ankle injury on a closeout attempt and did not return after just four minutes. Mabrey was the replacement, but she did not look anything like a second option in Game 1.
The 5’11 guard finished with 27 points, three assists, and three rebounds. She made five 3-pointers as the Sun outscored Indiana by 20 in Mabrey’s 32 minutes on the floor. It was a special performance that featured several timely baskets to crush any momentum the Fever were building.
Marina Mabrey had a night to remember in Game 1 against the Indiana Fever ✅
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 22, 2024
She dropped 27 PTS (a playoff bench record) with 9-20 FG, 5-12 from beyond the arc to lead her squad to victory!#WelcometotheW | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/xyqiN8z88n
The future is bright in Chicago, but this trade looks like a disaster. Mabrey was leading the team in minutes and starting every game before the trade. After, the Sky couldn’t buy a win. Branham and Jefferson both struggled in Chicago and do not look like pieces moving forward. To put the icing on the cake, they had to watch Mabrey play a key role in the Sun dominating the Fever in the WNBA Playoffs.
The only way to salvage this trade for Chicago is to nail the 2025 first-round pick they got from the Sun. It will be near the end of the round, but the Sky desperately need a difference-maker. If not, this trade looks like a complete air ball for Chicago.
Marina Mabrey will have at least two more playoff games to stick it to the Chicago Sky. The Connecticut Sun have been one of the final four teams for five straight years and are well on their way to making it six. They need just one more win to advance to the best-of-5 semifinals. Mabrey will keep playing a key role, and Sky fans will certainly have plenty of regrets as she continues to shine.
Consider this trade a total miss, but things will improve in the Windy City. All fans can do is dream of those better days ahead.