Chicago Sky acquire guard Marina Mabrey from the Dallas Wings — but give up 4 draft picks as part of a 4-team trade

The Chicago Sky continued their roster reconstruction Saturday, acquiring guard Marina Mabrey from the Dallas Wings as part of a four-team trade that included the Phoenix Mercury and New York Liberty.

Mabrey, 26, gives the Sky a veteran backup for two-time All-Star Kahleah Copper, whom the team is building around after losing key players in free agency. But the Sky also gambled with their future by giving up a bevy of draft picks.

Here’s everything to know about the trade.

• Mabrey: A versatile guard with shooting ability, she was the No. 19 pick in the 2019 draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. She played one season in LA before being traded to the Wings, with whom she played three seasons.
• 2024 draft pick: The Sky received a second-round draft pick from the Mercury.

• Rights to Leonie Fiebich: Drafted 22nd by the Sparks in 2020, Fiebich is a German small forward who has yet to make her WNBA debut. The Sky acquired her rights in 2021 as part of a trade that sent Gabby Williams to the Sparks but never signed Fiebich.
• 2023 draft pick: The Sky sent their 2023 first-round pick to the Wings.
• Two 2024 draft picks: The Sky sent their first-round pick in 2024 to the Wings and their third-round pick to Phoenix. They additionally sent their second-round pick to the Liberty, but this was offset by their reception of a second-round pick from Phoenix.
• 2025 draft pick: The Sky sent their 2025 second-round pick to the Mercury andagreed to swap their 2025 first-round pick with the Wings if they are higher in the draft order.

Mabrey is an energetic, athletic guard who clearly fits into the “create havoc” mentality that coach/general manager James Wade hopes to build around Copper. Mabrey is a career 34.8% 3-point shooter who gives the Sky additional shooting efficiency. She averaged 12.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in three seasons with the Wings, including a career-best 13.6 points in 2022.

“Adding a player such as Marina who can play both guard positions, is a talented sharpshooter and gives her all every single game will all be vital for our team this year,” Wade said in a team release.

Additionally, the trade sends a clear message that the Sky aren’t sitting back on their heels. Following the departure of four key free agents, Wade is approaching this roster reconstruction with urgency, swapping veteran leaders for young potential. If Mabrey meshes in this system, the Sky will be on track for their goal of redefining the team around Copper.

The Sky have focused heavily on their backcourt this offseason, adding Courtney Williams alongside Mabrey to complement Copper. This unit is strong, but the Sky overall are small — fielding only four centers or forwards and only two players over 6-foot-3.

And while focusing on this season is crucial to keep Copper in Chicago, it also runs the risk of sacrificing the future. Retaining a star isn’t just about winning one season. It also requires a clear road map for the years ahead.

The Sky have not drafted well historically: 2020 first-round pick Ruthy Hebard plays only mop-up minutes; they traded 2021 pick Shyla Heal for Dana Evans after a failed preseason; and they traded away their 2022 picks. But for this front office to compete, it needs to take a step forward in talent acquisition.

The Sky have time to regain draft picks, particularly for 2024 and 2025, but they might come to regret this level of sacrifice to bring in another guard.

Chicago receives: Marina Mabrey (from Dallas), 2024 second-round pick (from Phoenix).

New York receives: Rights to Leonie Fiebich (from Chicago); 2024 second-round pick (from Chicago); rights to swap 2025 first-round picks with Phoenix.

Phoenix receives: Michaela Onyenwere (from New York); 2024 third-round pick (from Chicago); 2025 second-round Pick (from Chicago).

Dallas receives: Diamond DeShields (from Phoenix); 2023 first-round Pick (from Chicago); 2024 first-round pick (from Chicago); rights to swap 2025 first-round picks with Chicago.

Associated Press contributed.