The Washington Mystics have traded forward Aaliyah Edwards to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for guard Jacy Sheldon and a 2026 first-round pick swap, both teams announced Thursday.
The deal provides Washington with a strategic choice in the 2026 draft. The Mystics can either take the Sun’s first-round pick, originally acquired from the second-place New York Liberty, or keep their own pick, which came from the league-leading Minnesota Lynx.
This is the latest move for the rebuilding Mystics ahead of the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline. Earlier this week, the team dealt Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm for veteran Alysha Clark and Seattle’s 2026 first-round pick.
Edwards, the sixth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, returns to the state where she starred collegiately for UConn. The 6-foot-3 forward averaged 7.0 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game with Washington. Sources said Edwards had been the subject of trade talks for much of the season, as her playing time decreased while dealing with back and wrist injuries. The trade also clears space in a crowded Mystics frontcourt featuring Kiki Iriafen, Shakira Austin, and Stefanie Dolson.
“Bringing Aaliyah to the Connecticut Sun is more than just a roster move; it’s a statement about where we’re headed as a franchise,” said Sun General Manager Morgan Tuck. “Aaliyah is a transformational talent with the mindset and drive that aligns with our vision of building a championship culture. She is the kind of person and player who can help redefine the future of this organization.”
According to ESPN Research, Edwards is the 19th former UConn player to join the Sun since the franchise moved to Connecticut in 2003.
Sheldon was selected fifth overall in the 2024 draft by the Dallas Wings before being traded to the Sun this past offseason. The 5-foot-10 guard has averaged 6.3 points and 2.3 assists per game in her career. Sources reported that while Sheldon was happy off the court in Connecticut, she was seeking an opportunity for a greater on-court role.
“We are excited to welcome Jacy to the Mystics and think her skill set, energy, and team-first approach will be a great fit for us,” stated Mystics General Manager Jamila Wideman. “She is a competitor and leads through the example of her work-ethic. She has built on her solid rookie campaign and demonstrated an ability to shoot the ball and read the game on both ends of the court.”
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