Who Won the Marina Mabrey Trade: Sky or Sun?

One year after the Chicago Sky traded Marina Mabrey to the Connecticut Sun for Rachel Banham and Moriah Jefferson on July 17, 2024, both teams' trajectories have dramatically shifted. At the time of the trade, the Sky held the eighth playoff seed while the Sun were within three games of first place.

Last season, the Sun benefited immediately: Mabrey boosted her shooting efficiency by 8% overall and from three-point range, then averaged higher points and free-throw percentages in the playoffs. Connecticut reached the semifinals before losing to the New York Liberty, securing the East's third seed. Conversely, the Sky plummeted from playoff contention after the trade despite adding Banham and Jefferson, finishing below Atlanta and Washington.

This season reveals a stark reversal. The Sun have only three wins and sit at the league's bottom after losing key free agents and head coach Stephanie White to Indiana. Meanwhile, Chicago holds a stronger position despite 15 losses—exceeding their 13 wins last year—thanks to rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, plus an extra 2025 first-round draft pick acquired in the trade.

Player impacts diverge: Mabrey (who requested but was denied a trade five months ago) remains on a rebuilding Sun roster. Banham averages over 8 points and 2 assists for Chicago, while Jefferson recently debuted as a starter with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Though Banham and Jefferson score less than Mabrey, they fit Chicago's system better, whereas Connecticut's salary-cap advantage ($229,095 less committed) hasn't translated to success.

Chicago emerges as the trade winner, leveraging future assets and young talent for long-term stability, while Connecticut faces an uncertain rebuild despite Mabrey's individual growth.