Per Rachel Galligan of Winsidr, a three-team trade is being finalized to place Jonquel Jones in New York for the Liberty. The trade involves the New York Liberty, Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun. It is reported by Howard Megdal with The Next that as a result of the trade, the Liberty would receive both Jonquel Jones and Kayla Thorton. The Wings would receive Natasha Howard and Crystal Dangerfield. And the Sun would receive the 6th pick in the 2023 WNBA draft, Tyasha Harris and Rebecca Allen.
Sources have informed @Winsidr that a three team trade is in the works and close to being finalized that would send 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones to the New York Liberty.
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) January 15, 2023
It is reported that JJ specifically requested this trade to New York despite having only one year left of her contract. JJ was a part of the Sun for the entirety of her career; however, she was drafted sixth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. In addition, she played her entire career under coach Curt Miller who recently left the Sun for the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Liberty is coached by Sandy Brondello, who just finished her first season with the Liberty. JJ standing at 6’6, would be a great addition to the post for the Liberty alongside 6’10 Han Xu and 6’5 Stefanie Dolson. She would add length and versatility, two attributes that New York needs. Sabrina Ionescu will pair nicely with JJ, especially in scoring. Ionescu led the team last season in both assists and points. The Liberty fell short early in the playoffs last season as a 7th seed against the tall and versatile second seed, the Chicago Sky. They lost the series 2-1 by 56 points, leaving much room for improvement in 2023.
JJ is a four-time WNBA All-Star and was named the 2021 WNBA MVP after missing out on the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus. In 2022, JJ still achieved MVP stats averaging 14.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.2 BPG and 1.8 APG. She also helped lead the Sun to their second WNBA finals, falling short of a championship both times.
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