Days after the Mercury traded her to the Sun, Rebecca Allen is on the move again.
According to multiple league sources, the Sky are finalizing a trade to acquire the 6-2 Australian guard/forward, who will help answer their three-point shooting needs. The Sun will receive point guard Lindsay Allen and the rights to forward Nikolina Milic.
Last week, the Mercury sent Allen, guard Natasha Cloud and the No. 12 draft pick to the Sun for five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris.
Minutes after the news that Allen would join the Sky, guard Kia Nurse agreed to a one-year deal with the team, a source confirmed. Both additions come at a critical juncture in the Sky’s post-championship rebuild, which is entering year three.
Injuries have limited Allen over the last two seasons. She missed the second half of the season last year after injuring her hamstring during the Olympics. In September, she had surgery for a back injury, keeping her out for the postseason. She averaged 7.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 18 games. Now she’s healthy and without restrictions.
The Sky had the second-worst offensive rating in the WNBA last season and made the fewest three-pointers, averaging just 4.8 per game. General manager Jeff Pagliocca said his priority this offseason would be filling out the Sky’s backcourt with a veteran point guard and a lengthy wing who could help space the floor.
The first step was signing Courtney Vandersloot, the Sky’s former franchise player and point guard who helped lead them to their first WNBA title in 2021. Trading for Allen gives them a reliable three-point threat without having to deal their valuable draft assets. Nurse, who was high on the Sky’s list entering free agency, will round out the starting backcourt. She averaged 7.6 points per game last season for the Sparks coming off the bench.
The additions of Allen and Nurse make it less likely that the Sky will move their No. 3 pick, but league sources have indicated that an All-Star-caliber player would warrant a trade.
The Sky also re-signed restricted free agent and small forward Michaela Onyenwere to a one-year deal, a source confirmed. The 2021 Rookie of the Year averaged 6.6 points off the bench last season.
The Sky still have three or four roster spots to fill. Restricted free agent Dana Evans’ future is still undetermined. Pagliocca gave her a qualifying offer last month, giving the Sky the right of first refusal.