Three-way trade: Sun acquires Lynetta Kizer, trades Camille Little to Mercury and Candice Dupree goes to Indiana

A three -way trade that involves the Connecticut Sun, Phoenix Mercury and Indiana Fever sends forward Lynetta Kizer to the Sun, Camille Little to the Mercury and Candice Dupree to Indiana.

Trade details:

• Connecticut acquires 6-4 forward/center and sixth year veteran Lynetta Kizer and the eighth overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft from Indiana
• Phoenix obtains 6-2 veteran forward Camille Little and the rights to rookie 6-3 forward Jillian Alleyne
• Indiana adds veteran forward Candice Dupree and gets the 17th pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft

In 2016, Kizer appeared in 33 games with 12 starts for the Fever, averaging a career-best 9.3 points per game with career highs in blocks and steals.

Little won a WNBA title with the 2010 Seattle Storm and has compiled averages of 9.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in an 11-year career with San Antonio, Atlanta, Seattle and Connecticut.

Alleyne was selected by the Mercury in the second round (20th overall) of the 2016 WNBA Draft before being included in a midseason trade with Connecticut last year. She averaged 17.9 points and 14.3 rebounds as a senior at Oregon, and finished her college career with the second-most double-doubles in NCAA history (92) and the third-most rebounds (1,712).

Dupree was acquired by the Mercury from Chicago as part of a three-team trade in 2010 and averaged 14.2 points and 6.6 rebounds in her time with the Mercury. Currently, she averages 18.8 points and 6.5 rebounds with USK Praha in the Czech Republic.

Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller

“We are excited to obtain Lynetta Kizer, another outstanding player entering the prime of her career. She is a consistent offensive weapon with the ability to play facing the basket. She has shot fifty-three percent from the field and eighty-four percent from the foul line over her last two seasons. She also provides us with a needed physical presence on our roster.”

“The eighth overall draft pick will give us the opportunity to add another talented piece to our young roster as we build towards a bright future.”

Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello

“It has been a pleasure to coach Candice these past three seasons. She is the ultimate professional who played a large role in our success.  We wish her all the best in Indiana.

“Camille Little brings us a defensive forward who can help us be a great defensive team, and she is a stretch player who will compliment Brittney Griner nicely. In 2007, I coached Camille as a rookie with the San Antonio Stars and I am looking forward to having the opportunity to be reunited with her and to integrate both Camille and Jillian into our team. We drafted Jillian, we believe in her abilities, and we are excited to get her on the court.”

Mercury general manager Jim Pitman

“First and foremost, I want to express the deep appreciation of our entire organization for the contributions on and off the court made by Candice Dupree in her seven years in a Mercury uniform. We would not have won a championship in 2014 without Candice, and she has been instrumental in helping to grow our game and our fan base in Phoenix since 2010.”

“Our goal every season is to win a championship. Like our fans, we were disappointed with the results of 2016 and, while that was not the fault of any one or two or three players, we entered this offseason knowing difficult decisions would have to be made to improve the way our roster fit together as a whole. We are excited for what Camille Little brings, especially because advanced stats tell us she’s one of the best defensive post players in the league. This deal also allows us to bring back Jillian Alleyne, who we drafted last year, and whose strength, length and rebounding prowess give her tremendous upside. We were able to turn one power forward into two, and get both veteran experience and great potential.”

Fever head coach Pokey Chatman on Candice Dupree who she coached during two seasons in Russia

“Simply put, she’s a cerebral, consistent, championship-type player. Her ability to face up and knock down shots has always been on display, however her low-block presence is also extremely efficient. I’m looking forward to coaching Candice again.”

Fever president and general manager Kelly Krauskopf

“There’s no getting around the fact that we have been looking to bolster the power forward position with the retirement of Tamika [Catchings] last season. The opportunity to acquire Candice and add her to our core group is without a doubt a significant moment for our franchise. She has consistently been one of the premier players in the WNBA and in the world, with extensive WNBA playoff, international and USA Basketball experience. She is a winner and a consummate professional and will be a great fit with our team. I know Indiana Fever fans will be very happy to welcome her.”

“Unfortunately, when you make trades, you have to part with players who have been such great teammates and contributors. I want to thank Lynetta for all her work and contributions to our success over the past three seasons.”