CT Sun Teardown Tough Look But Much-Needed For Franchise

The WNBA offseason got off to a hot start, but the biggest storyline might be what the Sun did to their roster.

Connecticut appears on track to not return a single member of its starting lineup from the 2024 season. The Sun reportedly signed and traded Alyssa Thomas as part of a blockbuster trade to the Phoenix Mercury — Tyasha Harris was included in the deal. Bri Jones reportedly signed with the Atlanta Dream. And on Saturday, DiJonai Carrington reportedly was traded to the Dallas Wings. DeWanna Bonner is a free agent and likely will sign with a different team. Stephanie White also left to become Indiana Fever head coach.

Those moves signaled the Sun’s transition into a full rebuild. It was a sad turn of events for a team that made six straight conference finals and two runs to the WNBA Finals during that stretch. However, it was inevitable.

Thomas vocally called out ownership for its lack of support of the team last year. The Sun infamously shared a practice court with a two-year-old’s birthday party a day before they played the Indiana Fever in a playoff game. Connecticut was the definition of a small-market franchise with its lack of high spending and inability to keep up with the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty. The Sun overachieved thanks to great coaching and Hall of Fame players like Thomas and Bonner leading the team.

Ownership did not do enough to support the team, and players used action to voice their displeasure. The new Unrivaled league changed the game in terms of giving players access to quality facilities and trainers. As the WNBA continues to expand, the existing franchises must keep up or be left behind.

That being said, these reported moves needed to happen. As mentioned, the Sun overachieved and surpassed expectations for multiple years. Connecticut played stingy defense and its offense played well in the regular season but lacked firepower in the postseason. The Sun comfortably were a Tier 2 team in the WNBA and felt like they reached their peak.

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese changed the league’s style of play, and it looks like a trend with Paige Bueckers and a talented 2025 draft class also projected to make their marks on the WNBA.

Connecticut needed to change its identity and hopes new head coach Rachid Meziane can do that. But creating that change will involve growing pains starting with parting ways with core pieces. The Sun might not be done as they must decide what to do with Natasha Cloud. It would behoove them to trade the veteran to acquire more assets.

Ownership also needs to look in the mirror and decide if it’s ready to compete in a newly expanded and growing WNBA. The Boston Celtics are for sale, and it could be in everyone’s best interest for an ownership group to control an NBA and WNBA franchise. A move away from Connecticut would add to the franchise’s new identity and an accumulation of assets could help it land a high enough draft pick to take JuJu Watkins when she enters the league.

A “Boston Sun” team with Watkins as the centerpiece star would help rejuvenate the franchise. But the necessary steps need to be taken before that fantasy can become a reality.