Stop me if you've heard this before: We have another trade in the WNBA.
It's been reported, twice over, by Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports that the Dallas Wings were expected to trade versatile wing Allisha Gray over the offseason. In the latest report from Williams, four teams — Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Washington Mystics, and Atlanta Dream — were listed as potential suitors.
It would appear that Gray has finally gotten her wish. Per ESPN's M.A. Voepel, Gray will be traded to the Atlanta Dream. From his feed:
Sources tell ESPN that an agreement is in place for guard Allisha Gray to be traded to @AtlantaDream from @DallasWings. Details being finalized. @Graytness_15 was 2017 @WNBA rookie of year out of @GamecockWBB and was 3x3 Olympic gold medalist in 2021.
— M.A. Voepel (@MAVoepel) January 19, 2023
UPDATE: On Saturday, the Dream and Wings officially announced the deal, with the Dream sending the third overall pick of this year's draft and a 2025 first round pick to the Wings for Gray.
As we wait for the details to roll in, I think it's still fair to call this a slam dunk for the Dream. Gray narrowly missed out on an All-Star berth last season, but make no mistake: She's that type of talent.
Gray averaged career-highs in points (13.3) and assists (2.5) while also grabbing 4.8 boards and racking up 1.1 steals per contest. Even those numbers don't do Gray justice. She's an additive on both ends; someone who can spread the floor at an elite level (40.8% from three on 4.8 attempts), attack titled defenses (66.1% FG inside of three feet), and defend multiple positions at a high level.
Per PBP Stats, the Wings outscored opponents by 69 points (plus-3.1 net rating) in nearly 1200 minutes with her on the floor last season, playoffs included. They were outscored by 93 points (minus-12.0 NET) in 372 minutes without her. This may shock you, but that was one of the biggest swings in The W last year.
Adding Gray to a Dream roster headlined by Rhyne Howard — the reigning Rookie of the Year who also made the All-Star team last season — is truly fun stuff. As noted by WNBA.com's Mark Schindler, there may not be a two-way wing tandem in the league like Howard and Gray.