5 WNBA Players Emerge as Trade Targets Before Aug. 2 Deadline

Q: How will the Connecticut Sun's upcoming relocation to Houston influence their willingness to trade rising star Aneesah Morrow?

Connecticut’s move to Houston likely makes the Sun less eager to trade Aneesah Morrow unless they get a strong long-term return. The relocation gives the franchise a reason to keep young, controllable talent rather than move it for short-term help. Morrow is 23, has shown clear growth, and is on a cost-effective rookie deal with multiple seasons of team control left. For a franchise about to rebrand and reset in a new market, that kind of player is valuable both competitively and organizationally. Reporting around the deadline has repeatedly framed her as someone Connecticut could keep as part of its future core as the team transitions to Houston. That said, the move does not take her off the table. The Sun are rebuilding, have frontcourt depth and overlap, and could be tempted if a team such as Toronto or Phoenix offers meaningful draft capital or a package that better fits their long-term plans. The relocation may actually sharpen their focus on asset management: if they do trade Morrow, it would likely be because they believe the return better positions the Houston franchise for 2027 and beyond. So the relocation cuts both ways, but the stronger effect is to raise Morrow’s value internally. It makes Connecticut more likely to view her as a foundational piece for Houston than as a deadline rental to cash out.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jul 30

Five players stand out ahead of the WNBA’s 3 p.m. ET Sunday trade deadline as contenders weigh playoff pushes against longer-term roster decisions.
Kelsey Plum is the biggest potential prize: the Sparks are 10-17, she is on a one-year $999,999 deal, and any buyer must judge both her leg injury and extension interest.
Connecticut’s Aneesah Morrow, 23, has boosted her averages to 11.1 points and 9.0 rebounds, making her a young frontcourt option for teams such as Toronto or Phoenix despite health questions.
Veterans and underused scorers also draw attention: New York’s Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is on a $400,000 protected deal, Dallas’ Maddy Siegrist is shooting 44.9% from 3, and Chicago’s Skylar Diggins carries a $940,000 contract through next season.
A wave of one-year contracts after the March CBA and teams’ caution about trading draft picks are shaping a deadline that could favor patience as much as bold moves.