How The Mercury Found One Of Their Stars In 2006

The Phoenix Mercury won their first WNBA championship in 2007 after finishing the regular season with a 23-11 record and defeating the Detroit Shock 3-2 in the Finals. Penny Taylor scored 30 points in the decisive 108-92 victory in the final game.

In preparation for their championship run, the Mercury made strategic moves during the 2007 WNBA Draft. They selected Lindsey Harding with the first overall pick but immediately traded her to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for veteran Tangela Smith, who averaged 11.1 points and 7 rebounds in her first season with Phoenix.

Additionally, the Mercury had previously drafted key player Cappie Pondexter with the second overall pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. Pondexter made an immediate impact, averaging 19.5 points in her rookie season and eventually becoming an All-Star, Finals MVP, and a central figure in the team's success before being traded for Candice Dupree.