In February 2023, the Phoenix Suns finalized a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Wings, sending superstar center Brittney Griner back to Phoenix in exchange for a package of players and draft picks. The deal reunited Griner with the franchise that drafted her first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft, marking a significant moment for the team and the league as a whole.
The Suns shipped out three players and a future first-round draft pick to acquire Griner, who had been playing with the Wings since 2020. The players involved in the trade were Diamond DeShields, Kayla Thornton, and Victoria Vivians. DeShields, a 2018 All-Star, was seen as the centerpiece of the package, while Thornton and Vivians provided additional wing depth for the Wings.
The trade marked a significant moment for both the Suns and Griner, who had been widely expected to return to Phoenix once her contract with the Wings expired. Now, she's back in a Suns uniform, hoping to lead the team to its first WNBA championship.
who did we trade for brittney griner
The Phoenix Suns traded three players and a draft pick to acquire Brittney Griner from the Dallas Wings.
- Traded players: Diamond DeShields, Kayla Thornton, Victoria Vivians
- Draft pick: 2023 first-round pick
- Griner returns to Suns after two seasons with Wings
- Griner drafted by Suns first overall in 2013
- Suns hope Griner can lead them to first WNBA championship
- Trade marks significant moment for Suns and Griner
- Griner expected to return to Phoenix after contract with Wings expired
- Suns reunite with franchise cornerstone
- Griner poised to make immediate impact for Suns
- Trade signals Suns' commitment to winning now
The trade for Griner is a major coup for the Suns, who are now considered one of the favorites to win the WNBA championship in 2023.
Traded players: Diamond DeShields, Kayla Thornton, Victoria Vivians
The Phoenix Suns traded three players to the Dallas Wings in exchange for Brittney Griner: Diamond DeShields, Kayla Thornton, and Victoria Vivians.
- Diamond DeShields:
A 2018 All-Star and one of the most promising young players in the WNBA, DeShields is a versatile guard who can score, rebound, and defend. She averaged 15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Suns in 2022.
- Kayla Thornton:
A 6'2" forward, Thornton is a solid all-around player who can contribute in a variety of ways. She averaged 7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for the Suns in 2022.
- Victoria Vivians:
A 6'1" guard, Vivians is a three-point specialist who shot 36.4% from beyond the arc in 2022. She averaged 7.0 points per game for the Suns last season.
All three players are talented young players who have the potential to be key contributors for the Dallas Wings in the years to come. However, the Suns were willing to part with them in order to acquire Griner, who is one of the best players in the WNBA.
Draft pick: 2023 first-round pick
In addition to the three players, the Phoenix Suns also traded a 2023 first-round draft pick to the Dallas Wings in the deal for Brittney Griner. This pick is likely to be in the late first round, as the Suns are expected to be a playoff team in 2023.
Trading a first-round pick is always a difficult decision, but the Suns were willing to do so in order to acquire Griner. She is a superstar player who can make an immediate impact for the Suns, and she is also one of the most marketable players in the WNBA.
The Suns have a strong track record of drafting talented players in the first round, so they are confident that they will be able to find a suitable replacement for the pick they traded to the Wings. In the meantime, they are excited to have Griner on their team and they believe that she can help them win their first WNBA championship.
The trade for Griner is a clear signal that the Suns are all-in on winning now. They have mortgaged their future somewhat by trading away a first-round pick, but they believe that Griner is worth the price. Only time will tell if they are right, but the Suns are confident that they have made the right move.
The Suns' decision to trade a first-round pick for Griner has been met with mixed reactions. Some experts believe that it was a good move, while others believe that the Suns gave up too much. Ultimately, only time will tell if the trade was worth it.
Griner returns to Suns after two seasons with Wings
Brittney Griner is returning to the Phoenix Suns after two seasons with the Dallas Wings. Griner was drafted by the Suns with the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, and she quickly became one of the most dominant players in the league.
- Reunion with championship-contending team:
Griner returns to a Suns team that is considered a contender for the WNBA championship. The Suns have a strong roster led by Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith, and the addition of Griner makes them even more formidable.
- Return to familiar surroundings:
Griner is familiar with the Suns' system and the city of Phoenix. She played for the Suns for seven seasons before being traded to the Wings in 2020. She has a strong relationship with the Suns' coaching staff and front office, and she is excited to be back in Phoenix.
- Chance to win a championship:
Griner has never won a WNBA championship. She came close in 2018, when the Suns lost to the Seattle Storm in the Finals. She is determined to win a championship before she retires, and she believes that the Suns give her the best chance to do that.
- Legacy with the Suns:
Griner is one of the most popular and successful players in Suns history. She is the franchise's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, and she was named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year twice. She is also a seven-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Griner's return to the Suns is a major moment for the franchise and for the city of Phoenix.
Griner is excited to be back in Phoenix, and the Suns are excited to have her back. She is a superstar player who can make a major impact on both ends of the court. The Suns are hoping that Griner can lead them to their first WNBA championship.
Griner drafted by Suns first overall in 2013
Brittney Griner was drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. She was the most highly-touted prospect in the draft, and she quickly lived up to the hype.
- Immediate impact:
Griner made an immediate impact for the Suns, averaging 17.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game in her rookie season. She was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year and was also named to the All-WNBA Second Team.
- Dominant defender:
Griner is one of the most dominant defenders in WNBA history. She is a seven-time All-WNBA Defensive Team selection and has led the league in blocks four times. She is also a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.
- All-around scorer:
Griner is a versatile scorer who can score from anywhere on the court. She is a good shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc, and she is also a powerful post player. She has averaged at least 20 points per game in each of the past five seasons.
- Olympic success:
Griner has also had great success with the U.S. Olympic team. She has won two gold medals, in 2016 and 2020. She is one of the most decorated players in U.S. women's basketball history.
Griner is one of the most dominant and successful players in WNBA history. She has won two Olympic gold medals, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a Rookie of the Year award. She is also a seven-time All-WNBA selection and a four-time All-Defensive Team selection. Griner is a superstar player who can make a major impact on both ends of the court.
Suns hope Griner can lead them to first WNBA championship
The Phoenix Suns have never won a WNBA championship. They have been to the Finals twice, in 1998 and 2009, but they lost both times. The Suns are hoping that Brittney Griner can help them finally break through and win their first title.
- Dominant force:
Griner is one of the most dominant players in the WNBA. She is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a seven-time All-WNBA selection. She is also a two-time Olympic goldVotedmedalist. Griner can score from anywhere on the court and she is also a great defender. She is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the floor.
- Experience:
Griner has a lot of experience playing in big games. She has played in the WNBA Finals twice and she has also played in two Olympic gold medal games. She knows what it takes to win at the highest level.
- Leadership:
Griner is a natural leader. She is a vocal presence on the court and she is always willing to help her teammates. She is also a role model for young players. Griner is someone that the Suns can rally around.
- Roster fit:
Griner is a perfect fit for the Suns' roster. She is a center who can score, rebound, and defend. She will be able to take some of the pressure off of Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Griner will also make the Suns a much tougher team to score against.
The Suns are confident that Griner can help them win their first WNBA championship. She is a superstar player who can make a major impact on both ends of the court. The Suns have a strong roster and they are ready to contend for a title. With Griner on their team, the Suns are one of the favorites to win it all in 2023.
Trade marks significant moment for Suns and Griner
The trade that brought Brittney Griner back to the Phoenix Suns is a significant moment for both the team and the player. For the Suns, it gives them a chance to finally win their first WNBA championship. For Griner, it gives her a chance to return to the team that drafted her and to play in front of the fans who have supported her throughout her career.
The Suns have been one of the best teams in the WNBA for the past few years, but they have been unable to get over the hump and win a championship. With Griner on the team, they now have a player who can help them take that next step. Griner is a dominant force on both ends of the court, and she is one of the most marketable players in the league. Her return to Phoenix is a major boost for the Suns' championship hopes.
For Griner, the trade is a chance to come home. She was drafted by the Suns in 2013 and she played for the team for seven seasons before being traded to the Dallas Wings in 2020. Griner has always been popular with the Suns' fans, and she is excited to be back in Phoenix. She is also excited to have a chance to play with Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith, two of the best players in the WNBA.
The trade is a win-win for both the Suns and Griner. The Suns get a superstar player who can help them win a championship, and Griner gets to return to the team that drafted her and to play in front of the fans who have supported her throughout her career.
The trade is also a significant moment for the WNBA. Griner is one of the most popular and successful players in the league, and her return to Phoenix is sure to generate a lot of excitement. The WNBA is hoping that Griner's return will help to grow the league and attract new fans.
Griner expected to return to Phoenix after contract with Wings expired
Brittney Griner's contract with the Dallas Wings was set to expire at the end of the 2023 season. Many experts expected Griner to return to the Phoenix Suns after her contract expired. There were several reasons for this.
First, Griner has a long history with the Suns. She was drafted by the team in 2013 and she played for the Suns for seven seasons before being traded to the Wings in 2020. Griner is the Suns' all-time leading scorer and rebounder, and she is one of the most popular players in franchise history.
Second, the Suns are a championship contender. They have a strong roster led by Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith, and the addition of Griner would make them even more formidable. The Suns have been to the WNBA Finals twice, in 1998 and 2009, but they have never won a championship. Griner could help them finally get over the hump.
Third, Griner is from Phoenix. She grew up in the city and she attended college at Baylor University, which is also located in Phoenix. Griner has a strong connection to the city and she would be excited to return home.
Ultimately, Griner's decision to return to the Suns was up to her. However, it seemed likely that she would return to the team that drafted her and to the city that she loves.
The trade that brought Griner back to the Suns happened sooner than expected, but it is still a major coup for the team. Griner is one of the best players in the WNBA and she is sure to make an immediate impact for the Suns. The Suns are now one of the favorites to win the WNBA championship in 2023.
Suns reunite with franchise cornerstone
Brittney Griner is more than just a basketball player to the Phoenix Suns. She is a franchise cornerstone. Griner was drafted by the Suns with the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, and she quickly became one of the most popular and successful players in team history.
Griner is the Suns' all-time leading scorer and rebounder. She is also a seven-time All-Star, an eight-time All-WNBA selection, and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Griner has helped the Suns reach the WNBA Finals twice, in 2014 and 2018. She is one of the most dominant players in the WNBA, and she is also one of the most marketable.
Griner's return to the Suns is a major coup for the team. She is a superstar player who can make an immediate impact on both ends of the court. The Suns are now one of the favorites to win the WNBA championship in 2023.
But Griner is more than just a basketball player. She is also a role model and an inspiration. Griner is a strong advocate for social justice, and she has used her platform to speak out against racism, sexism, and homophobia. She is also a role model for young LGBTQ+ people. Griner is a powerful and influential voice in the WNBA and beyond.
The Suns are thrilled to have Griner back in Phoenix. She is a franchise cornerstone and she means so much to the team and to the city. Griner is a winner on and off the court, and she is a role model for people all over the world.
Griner poised to make immediate impact for Suns
Brittney Griner is one of the most dominant players in the WNBA. She is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a seven-time All-WNBA selection. She is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Griner is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court, and she is sure to make an immediate impact for the Phoenix Suns.
- Scoring:
Griner is a dominant scorer. She averaged 20.5 points per game last season, and she has averaged at least 20 points per game in each of the past five seasons. Griner can score from anywhere on the court, but she is especially effective in the paint. She is a powerful post player who can score over smaller defenders, and she is also a good shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc.
- Rebounding:
Griner is also a great rebounder. She averaged 9.5 rebounds per game last season, and she has averaged at least 8.0 rebounds per game in each of the past five seasons. Griner is a force on the boards at both ends of the court. She is a good offensive rebounder who can create second-chance opportunities for her team, and she is also a good defensive rebounder who can help to prevent the other team from getting second chances.
- Defense:
Griner is one of the best defenders in the WNBA. She is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and she has been named to the All-Defensive Team seven times. Griner is a rim protector who can block shots and alter the shots of opposing players. She is also a good post defender who can guard bigger players. Griner's defense will be a major asset for the Suns.
- Leadership:
Griner is a natural leader. She is a vocal presence on the court and she is always willing to help her teammates. Griner is also a role model for young players. She is someone that the Suns can rally around. Griner's leadership will be invaluable for the Suns, especially in the playoffs.
Griner is a complete player who can make an impact on both ends of the court. She is a scorer, a rebounder, a defender, and a leader. Griner is exactly the kind of player that the Suns need to win a championship. She is poised to make an immediate impact for the Suns, and she is sure to help them contend for a title in 2023.
Trade signals Suns' commitment to winning now
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the best teams in the WNBA for the past few years, but they have been unable to get over the hump and win a championship. The trade for Brittney Griner is a clear signal that the Suns are committed to winning now.
Griner is one of the best players in the WNBA. She is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time All-WNBA selection, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Griner is a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court, and she is sure to make an immediate impact for the Suns.
The Suns gave up three players and a first-round draft pick to acquire Griner. This shows that the Suns are willing to sacrifice some of their future success in order to win now. The Suns believe that Griner is the missing piece that they need to win a championship.
The Suns have a strong roster, led by Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith. With Griner added to the mix, the Suns now have one of the most talented teams in the WNBA. The Suns are the favorites to win the WNBA championship in 2023.
The trade for Griner is a major statement by the Suns. It shows that they are all-in on winning now. The Suns are determined to win their first WNBA championship, and they believe that Griner is the player who can help them achieve that goal.
FAQ
Have questions about the trade that brought Brittney Griner back to the Phoenix Suns? Here are some frequently asked questions:
Question 1: Why did the Suns trade for Brittney Griner?
Answer 1: The Suns traded for Brittney Griner because they believe she is the missing piece that they need to win a championship. Griner is one of the best players in the WNBA, and she can make an immediate impact on both ends of the court.
Question 2: What did the Suns give up to acquire Griner?
Answer 2: The Suns gave up three players (Diamond DeShields, Kayla Thornton, and Victoria Vivians) and a first-round draft pick to acquire Griner.
Question 3: Is Griner expected to make an immediate impact for the Suns?
Answer 3: Yes, Griner is expected to make an immediate impact for the Suns. She is a dominant player who can score, rebound, and defend. Griner will be a major factor in the Suns' quest for a championship.
Question 4: How does Griner's return impact the Suns' championship hopes?
Answer 4: Griner's return makes the Suns one of the favorites to win the WNBA championship in 2023. They have a strong roster, led by Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith. With Griner added to the mix, the Suns now have one of the most talented teams in the league.
Question 5: What are the Suns' goals for the 2023 season?
Answer 5: The Suns' goal for the 2023 season is to win the WNBA championship. They have been one of the best teams in the league for the past few years, but they have been unable to get over the hump and win a title. The Suns believe that Griner is the player who can help them finally achieve their goal.
Question 6: What is the significance of Griner's return to Phoenix?
Answer 6: Griner's return to Phoenix is significant for several reasons. She is one of the most popular players in franchise history, and she is also one of the best players in the WNBA. Griner's return gives the Suns a legitimate chance to win a championship, and it also sends a message to the rest of the league that the Suns are serious about winning.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the trade that brought Brittney Griner back to the Phoenix Suns. Hopefully, this information has been helpful in answering your questions.
Now that you know more about the trade, here are some tips for following the Suns in 2023:
Tips
Here are a few tips for following the Phoenix Suns in 2023:
Tip 1: Watch the games on TV or online.
The Suns' games are televised on Bally Sports Arizona and NBA TV. You can also watch the games online through the WNBA League Pass.
Tip 2: Follow the Suns on social media.
The Suns have a strong presence on social media, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow the Suns on social media to get the latest news, highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.
Tip 3: Attend a game at Footprint Center.
There is nothing like experiencing the excitement of a Suns game in person. Footprint Center is a great place to watch a game, and the Suns have a passionate fan base that will make you feel right at home.
Tip 4: Get involved with the Suns community.
The Suns have a number of ways for fans to get involved with the team, including season ticket memberships, fan clubs, and volunteer opportunities. Getting involved with the Suns community is a great way to show your support for the team and to connect with other Suns fans.
These are just a few tips for following the Phoenix Suns in 2023. By following these tips, you can stay up-to-date on all the latest news and developments surrounding the team.
Now that you know more about the Suns and how to follow the team, it's time to start cheering them on to a WNBA championship in 2023!
Conclusion
The trade that brought Brittney Griner back to the Phoenix Suns is a major moment for the team and for the WNBA. Griner is one of the best players in the league, and she is sure to make an immediate impact for the Suns. The Suns now have one of the most talented teams in the WNBA, and they are the favorites to win the championship in 2023.
Griner's return to Phoenix is also a significant moment for the city. She is one of the most popular players in franchise history, and she is also a role model for young people all over the world. Griner's return is sure to generate excitement and buzz in Phoenix, and it will help to grow the game of women's basketball.
The Suns are excited to have Griner back in Phoenix, and they are confident that she can help them win their first WNBA championship. The Suns have a strong roster, and they are ready to contend for a title. With Griner on their team, the Suns are one of the favorites to win it all in 2023.
The future is bright for the Phoenix Suns. With Brittney Griner leading the way, the Suns are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs and to compete for a championship. Suns fans should be excited about the future of their team.