Natasha Cloud is set to join the defending champions, while the Connecticut Sun will receive the No. 7 pick in the 2025 draft.
The Connecticut Sun have traded Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty in exchange for the No. 7 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, the team announced Sunday night. The Sun, who acquired Cloud in a previous trade that sent longtime franchise cornerstone Alyssa Thomas to the Phoenix Mercury, stocked up on draft capital, while the Liberty enhance their already-talented roster with one of the game’s elite two-way players.
Cloud has averaged 8.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1 steal throughout her 9-year WNBA career, with 8 of those years spent with the Washington Mystics. A standout perimeter defender, she earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team once and has two All-Defensive Second Team selections (2019, 2024). Cloud also celebrated a WNBA championship with the Mystics in 2019, bringing invaluable experience to a locker room that is familiar with winning.
The Athletic reported that Cloud requested a trade shortly after arriving in Connecticut. During an Unrivaled media availability, she expressed that she didn’t anticipate being traded after signing a deal with the Mercury.
“I just want the best situation for myself and my family moving forward,” she stated. “And I just want to be in an organization that truly invests from top to bottom, facilities, team, location, all of that. I want to compete for championships.”
In New York, Cloud will undoubtedly have the opportunity to compete for a title.
Natasha Cloud enhances the already-strong New York Liberty roster
The Liberty aim to defend their franchise-first WNBA title, now welcoming another elite player. Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones lead the charge, with Cloud providing an additional strong perimeter defender and playmaker, especially needed given Courtney Vandersloot‘s recent signing with the Chicago Sky.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty family,” said Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb. “Tash is someone who we identified years ago as a prime fit for our team and embodies everything we look for in a player.”
“She has always left a lasting impression on the Barclays Center crowd, and we look forward to seeing the best fans in the WNBA embrace her on a nightly basis. Tash will undoubtedly strengthen our roster on both sides of the ball as we pursue another title in 2025.”
In addition to Vandersloot, the Liberty lost veteran forward Kayla Thornton this offseason, who was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in their expansion draft. Cloud’s addition provides a scoring punch and veteran presence that should aid the franchise in their pursuit of back-to-back titles.
For the Connecticut Sun, the trade brings in additional draft capital
The Sun now hold both the No. 7 and No. 8 picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft, alongside last year’s No. 5 overall pick, Jacy Sheldon. This move signals that the Sun are entering a rebuilding phase after losing their entire starting lineup this past offseason. The Sun retained veteran guard Marina Mabrey and signed Hall of Fame center Tina Charles, but will primarily have young talent surrounding them. Offloading a veteran player who wanted out for more young talent appears to be a strategic move.
