The Seattle Storm are making a playoff push. On Tuesday, the group introduced the acquisition of 2025 WNBA All-Star guard Brittney Sykes in a commerce with the Washington Mystics. The commerce sends veteran ahead Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke, and a 2026 first-round draft choose to Washington.
The transfer brings one of many WNBA’s most dynamic two-way guards to Seattle, including scoring punch and defensive tenacity to a group at present sitting sixth within the standings.
Sykes Brings Versatility and Defensive Edge
Sykes, a nine-year veteran, is having fun with a career-best season, averaging 15.4 factors, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per recreation. Recognized for her relentless perimeter protection, Sykes is a four-time WNBA All-Defensive Staff choice—twice incomes First Staff honors (2021, 2023) and twice making the Second Staff (2020, 2022).
After being chosen seventh total by the Atlanta Dream within the 2017 draft, Sykes made an instantaneous affect, incomes All-Rookie Staff honors. She twice led the league in steals and has established herself as a slasher and disruptive on-ball defender.
This season marks her first All-Star look, chosen as a alternative for Caitlin Clark, and he or she turned the primary WNBA All-Star in Syracuse College’s historical past.
The Storm anticipate Sykes to be a difference-maker on each ends of the ground as they purpose to strengthen their playoff positioning.
Mystics Add Clark, Cooke, and Future Draft Capital
Washington, in return, acquires three-time WNBA Champion Alysha Clark, former No. 10 total choose Zia Cooke, and one among Seattle’s 2026 first-round picks.
Clark, a Storm franchise icon, performed 300 video games in Seattle throughout two stints (2012-2020, 2025), rating fifth in video games performed in group historical past. She averaged 3.5 factors in 18 minutes per recreation this season and is famend for her defensive toughness, management, and clutch capturing. Clark received titles with Seattle in 2018 and 2020 and added one other with the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.
Cooke, a 2023 first-round choose, provides scoring upside and outdoors capturing, having hit a career-best 38.2% from three this season. After stints with the Sparks and worldwide golf equipment, Cooke averaged over 10 minutes per recreation with Seattle earlier than being included on this deal. She was a part of South Carolina’s 2022 nationwide championship group and earned Third-Staff All-American honors in 2023.
The Mystics now maintain three first-round alternatives within the 2026 draft, offering priceless property because the group rebuilds its roster for the longer term.
Playoff Push vs. Rebuild
For Seattle, the addition of Sykes straight addresses wants on each ends of the courtroom. The Storm’s offensive ranking ranked ninth within the WNBA previous to the commerce, and Sykes’ potential to attain and create for teammates will present one other weapon within the offense.
Defensively, she provides elite perimeter protection, giving the Storm a key improve because the postseason approaches. For Washington, the commerce alerts a long-term strategy.
The Mystics purchase a revered veteran in Clark, a younger guard in Cooke who might blossom with elevated enjoying time, and one other first-round choose for what’s shaping as much as be a essential 2026 draft.
Replace 3:25 p.m. ET: The Washington Mystics introduced they waived Cooke and Sika Koné.
