The 2025 Washington Mystics season has been a rollercoaster. While it isn't officially over yet, the August 7th trade deadline serves as an unofficial marker of its end.
The season began with low expectations. The Mystics were a team in transition, with a new coach, a new general manager, the retirement of legend Elena Delle Donne, and a crop of new talent. But they surprised everyone—fans, opponents, and themselves—with some key wins. They stunned the league-leading Minnesota Lynx at home on June 24 and defeated the Las Vegas Aces on July 10 in a critical matchup. They also consistently picked up wins against lower-ranked teams, putting them in the running for the eighth and final playoff spot.
A necessary farewell
But the team’s direction changed dramatically with a flurry of moves at the trade deadline. First came the trade of All-Star guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm. Sykes, set to become a free agent this offseason, looked unlikely to re-sign, making a return for her a priority. Sending her to Seattle for Alysha Clark, Zia Cooke (since waived), and a 2026 first-round pick may have felt like a low return, but if it was the best deal available, it's a justifiable move.
Sykes was a fiery leader and a defensive anchor, and her departure felt like the final admission that the "win-now" aspirations for this season were over. While her offensive production had decreased, she was a key mentor for rookie Sonia Citron. This was not a surrender, however. It was a strategic pivot by the front office and GM Jamila Wideman to secure the team's long-term future. They looked at a young team that wasn't quite ready and made a move for something bigger. A gut-punch on July 31, a one-point loss to the Golden State Valkyries after a massive comeback, felt like the final blow before Sykes’ departure. The subsequent loss to the Chicago Sky after the trade only confirmed the obvious that a young, hungry team, bursting with potential, had run out of gas and struggled without their leader.
A new era of asset management
The front office's work didn't stop there. At the trade deadline, the Mystics completed another significant deal, sending Aaliyah Edwards to the Connecticut Sun. In return, they received guard Jacy Sheldon and the right to swap their 2026 first-round pick (acquired from Minnesota) for the Sun's 2026 first-round pick (acquired from New York). While the decision to trade Edwards was certainly a point of debate, it's clear the Mystics' front office prioritized players who fit their system. With Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin currently leading the frontcourt, Edwards no longer appeared to be a part of the long-term plan.
With the trades done, the Mystics now possess a trove of assets. This isn't just a collection of future draft capital, it's the foundation for what could be a long-term, competitive dynasty. It's the opportunity to build a championship contender from the ground up, with a core of young, dynamic talent. The team's flexibility is immense as they now hold their own 2026 first-round picks, Seattle's 2026 first-round pick, and the valuable right to swap their Minnesota pick for Connecticut's New York pick, whichever is more favorable. This means they could even bundle these picks to move up and target a specific player (Azzi Fudd, perhaps?).
The low-cost rookie contracts of Jacy Sheldon and others will also create the financial space to pursue a supermax free agent down the line, giving the front office far more options than they have had in the past. This season was not a disappointment, ESPN had the Mystics ranked 12th, and they outperformed these minuscule expectations. Instead, this season is a necessary start to a bigger story.
A blueprint for the future
The Mystics are no longer aiming for "kind of good" or "kind of competitive." They only need to look at a team like the NBA Champions Oklahoma City Thunder to see what can be accomplished through the draft in such a short amount of time. While this model can feel painful in the short term, the success of this season's young talent shows progress is already being made. As this talent continues to grow, the Mystics won't have to settle fighting for the eighth seed but will confidently battle with the top teams in the league. It hurts to see a leader like Sykes depart, but focusing on the positives and what this team could become is a reason to be optimistic, because the future of the Mystics has never been more passionate, more promising, or more poised for greatness.