Three team trade includes Carolyn Swords, Kia Vaughn and Bria Hartley
The New York Liberty acquired center Kia Vaughn and guard Bria Hartley from the Washington Mystics while center Carolyn Swords was traded from New York to Seattle. Washington also receives the No. 6 overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft from the Storm, and the Mystics and Storm will also swap 2017 2nd Round picks.
For the Liberty, the move brings home a pair of native New Yorkers.
“This was a tough decision to make – Carolyn has been a great teammate and an exemplary member of the New York Liberty; she will do well for Seattle, and we wish her all of the best,” said Liberty head coach Bill Laimbeer. “Bria Hartley has enjoyed a great deal of success as a champion on a big stage at UConn, and will enhance our guard strength. Kia Vaughn will bring toughness and experience to our front court, and she is a consummate professional basketball player.”
Hartley recently gave birth to a son and is likely to miss at least a portion of the season.
It's a boy!! Congrats to new mom Bria Hartley!!
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) January 15, 2017
“Bria Hartley will have a new opportunity to establish herself in New York,” said Mystics head coach Mike Thibault. “Our guard situation is becoming crowded and this trade will give her a chance to prove herself as a productive player.”
Regarding Vaughn, Thibault said she “has meant a lot to the rebirth of the Mystics organization the past four years. Getting Kia was one of our first priorities when I came to Washington. She helped set the proper tone for how our players should conduct themselves as good pros. Her contributions to this team have been tremendous both on and off the court. However, as we try to move forward, there are always moves that need to be made in order to prepare for the next steps in our development. Fortunately for her, she is going to a team where she will be a perfect fit. We wish her well and thank her for all she has done here in Washington.”
The Storm receives a veteran player in the trade.
“Carolyn is a player that we have been trying to acquire for a number of years,” said Storm head coach Jenny Boucek. “She has proven to be one of the best finishers in our game; she brings great size, work ethic and basketball acumen. She will be a great fit on the court and in the locker room as we continue to evolve our team.”
