The Mystics have done little to stymie the team's Aaliyah Edwards question all season, but that could change within days: WNBA teams have until August to finalize mid-season trades, and it's still not entirely clear Edwards' best bet is to stay in Washington (and vice-versa).
Edwards didn't have the most promising start to the season: she injured her back early and missed several times, which gave rookie Kiki Iriafen, who was drafted by the Mystics as the No. 4 overall pick this year, to make a case for herself as a major force for the team.
Trade rumors have continued to dog Edwards since her return to the court, despite the fact that trading her away from the Mystics to pursue more draft picks in 2026 may not be the best-laid plan — and it's one that could even dismantle the rebuild the team is carefully pursuing.
After all, Edwards was only drafted in 2024 and has hardly even hit her professional stride yet. She came out of UConn with a stellar stat line (13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in 27.7 minutes of play; Edwards was also first player since Maya Moore to record a 20-point, 20-rebound game for the program) and was selected as the No. 6 overall pick by the Mystics, who clearly recognized her potential.
Edwards is so far averaging 13.7 minutes per game this season, which could be a sign that the Mystics just aren't finding the kind of space for her that she needs to live up to what everyone knows she can do.
There are also concerns the team will be unlikely to protect Edwards ahead of this year's planned expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. Most expectations are that Iriafen, Sonia Citron, Georgia Amoore, Shakira Austin, Emily Engstler, and Jade Melbourne are likely to be the team's protected six.
Where could Aaliyah Edwards end up in the WNBA?
All of this leads to two questions: does it serve the Mystics to attempt a trade at this point in the season? And if so, what team(s) would be interested in pursuing the option?
There are at least two WNBA teams who might have a compelling reason to bring Edwards on onboard. The Wings are lacking a true performer in her role, and are also home to her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers — an Edwards/Bueckers reunion could bring more fans to the stadium during home games, and would be a genuine delight to see on the floor.
The Sun are also sort of perpetually in need, and the team's potential to Boston could put a damper on the possibility for Edwards (if returning to Connecticut is an attractive possibility for her in the first place).