Atlanta Dream trades Layshia Clarendon and a 2019 second round pick to the Connecticut Sun for Alex Bentley

The Atlanta Dream traded guard Layshia Clarendon and a 2019 second round pick to the Connecticut Sun for guard Alex Bentley.

Bentley, in her sixth year in the league, was originally selected by the Dream with the 13th overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft and then traded to Connecticut before the 2014 season in a three-team transaction. Clarendon, who is also a six-year veteran, was originally drafted by the Indiana Fever with the ninth overall pick in 2013.

Bentley has played 19 games for the Sun in 2018 and is averaging 10.0 points, 3.2 assists and 1.4 rebounds in 21.7 minutes of play.

“Having had the opportunity to coach Alex Bentley in Connecticut for two seasons, I know she can be a dynamic scorer, but more importantly, she can create opportunities for her teammates because of her speed and skill with the basketball,” Atlanta head coach Nicki Collen said. “I also consider Alex one of the premier on-ball defenders in the WNBA which will only strengthen our team defense. I am very excited to welcome Alex back to Atlanta where her WNBA career started.”

Clarendon has played in 18 games with four starts and is averaging 4.3 points, 1.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 17.3 minutes.

“We are excited about obtaining Layshia,” Connecticut Sun general manager and head coach Curt Miller said. “She’s a talented and savvy guard with a great reputation as a leader on and off the court. She was thrilled when we spoke, and can’t wait to arrive in Connecticut.”

At 9-9 after defeating the Phoenix Mercury Sunday, Atlanta travels to Washington D.C. to take on the Mystics Wednesday. The Sun, on a two-game losing streak and with a 10-9 record, alos return to action on Wednesday versus the New York Liberty.