This offseason will be particularly interesting for the Connecticut Sun, as several of their key players are hitting free agency. The Sun’s big three of Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner, and Alyssa Thomas are all on that list. After another season that did not end in a championship, rumors started to surface that at least one of their big free agents would leave.
For Alyssa Thomas, that is not as easy anymore. The Sun extended a core qualifying offer to Thomas, which means that there are basically two possible outcomes for her future with the Sun: either she plays for Connecticut for another season or she demands a trade and moves on that way. Both are real possibilities. If Thomas really is that unhappy in Connecticut, she will just leave after the 2025 season, so trading her now would mean the Sun would at least get assets in return.
Thomas has frequently been linked to the new Golden State Valkyries this offseason, and for good reason. The Valkyries are still in need of a star to kickstart their franchise and have the money necessary to attract a big name like Alyssa Thomas. On top of that, the Valkyries have well-equipped, modern facilities—something Thomas has lamented Connecticut is missing. The veteran is currently getting a taste of more comfortable facilities in Unrivaled and may not want to give that up once the WNBA season starts.
The Valkyries have a lot to offer for a veteran like Thomas, even if it may not be a championship. Trading for Thomas is something they could pull off, especially if she requests a trade specifically to the Valkyries, and it could have benefits beyond Thomas’ contributions on the court.
The Valkyries could land two stars at the same time
Alyssa Thomas is not the only Sun star potentially on the move. Her finance DeWanna Bonner is an unrestricted free agent as well. If the opportunity arose, the two would likely prefer to play for the same team once again. It would certainly make their lives much easier off the court.
So, if the Valkyries trade for Thomas, they may also land Bonner in free agency. Bonner is already 37 years old but still averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game in the 2024 season. She is still a star-level player and would bring veteran as well as championship experience to the new Valkyries franchise. Young players like Kate Martin and Veronica Burton would definitely benefit from playing with a veteran duo like Bonner and Thomas.
Plus, landing the two would give the Valkyries some familiar faces to draw WNBA fans to their games. The Valkyries have other options as well. Satou Sabally will be available on the trade market, Brittney Griner has announced that she will test free agency, Jewell Loyd wants out of Seattle, and Kelsey Plum may be looking for a way out of Las Vegas.
Landing two All-Stars with one move just sounds so much better than getting only one, though.