3 Aaliyah Edwards trade destinations, including a UConn reunion with Paige Bueckers
On Tuesday, ESPN's Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews reported that several teams reached out to the Mystics about trading for the second-year forward and that Washington is accepting calls. Edwards was drafted sixth overall by the Mystics during the 2024 WNBA Draft. However, after starting 17 games last season, her minutes have diminished and so has her production.
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Edwards has seemingly become the odd person out in a crowded frontcourt which includes rookie Kiki Iriafen and veterans Shakira Austin and Stefanie Dolson. If Edwards does get moved, it begs the question: where could she go where she could continue to develop and eventually be in the starting rotation?
Here are three possible Aaliyah Edwards trade destinations that make sense:
1. Dallas Wings
Aaliyah Edwards reuniting with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers in Dallas would make a lot of sense.
Bueckers, while dynamic by herself, could certainly use another familiar face (who spent three seasons with her) as the Wings continue to work through the growing pains of being a young team. The Wings also moved on from forward Nalyssa Smith on Monday and could insert Edwards into the lineup in the spot that was filled by Smith.
The question then becomes, would Dallas pull off another trade so soon? If so, how much would it take for the Mystics to let Edwards move on to Dallas? Trading Smith netted a 2027 first-round pick. So, the asking price may start there.
2. Indiana Fever
After waiving veteran forward DeWanna Bonner, the Indiana Fever should at least give the Mystics a call about Edwards.
Bonner was signed during the offseason as one of the WNBA's premier free agents. However, things went south very quickly. The former Fever forward only started three games before being benched for guard Lexie Hull, and ultimately ended her tenure with Indiana, having played just nine games. Edwards might not start in Indiana's rotation, but she would get quality minutes playing the three or four behind Hull and forward Natasha Howard.
The Fever desperately need big depth who can come in to relieve the starters and immediately make an impact. Adding Edwards may not majorly move the needle now for Indiana, but she's still on a rookie-scale contract and with time and development could become a key piece for the franchise in the future.
3. Minnesota Lynx
Perhaps the most intriguing landing spot for Edwards would be alongside Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier.
Collier and Edwards went toe-to-toe during Unrivaled's one-on-one tournament earlier this year, and though Collier got the best of the second-year forward, Edwards held her own against several opponents to get there, including veteran Breanna Stewart. Collier praised Edwards afterward, and though it was a small connection on the radar then, perhaps it could help with moving Edwards to the Lynx now. (Collier is also a UConn alumna, which adds a little something extra to a potential teammate relationship.)
Looking ahead, Minnesota might not want to disrupt what it currently has going on with its championship-caliber roster, but what if the Lynx wanted to stash Edwards behind forward Bridget Carleton as a future starter? Carleton, who's spent seven seasons in Minnesota, will be a free agent when the new CBA kicks in next season. The organization could opt to move on, leaving behind a space in the starting lineup for Edwards to walk into.
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