The 2025 WNBA Trade deadline ends on Thursday, August 7th, at 3 PM ET. Now is the time for teams to make a final push and acquire players that could help push their team into the playoffs or even help with a rebuild. Ballislife has the perfect mix of potential trades for four specific players.
Marina Mabrey to the Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries are an exciting team to look at right now. Playoff contenders in their inaugural season, the Valkyries have a 14-14 record under head coach Natalie Nakase. As it stands, the Valkyries have draft capital and young players that the Connecticut Sun could value. With Kayla Thornton, the centerpiece of their fluid offense, out due to injury, Marina Mabrey could become the veteran focal point.
Prior to the 2025 WNBA season, it was announced that Marina Mabrey had requested a trade from the Sun, and Connecticut denied it. Now would be the perfect time to trade Mabrey, especially given Connecticut’s WNBA-worst 5-22 record. In 18 games this season, Mabrey has averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and four assists.
Well damn… what a night for Marina Mabrey pic.twitter.com/zbvl79rkit
— Ballislife Womens Basketball (@ballislifewbb_) June 7, 2025
The Valkyries could use Mabrey, as they attempt the most 3-pointers per game and need someone to replace Thornton’s production. Mabrey could also quickly emerge as a fan favorite—the Valkyries have an electric atmosphere and lead the league in attendance.
Although the Valkyries are not complete championship contenders, having a veteran like Mabrey on the team could potential sneak them past the first round.
Trade Scenario: Golden State Valkyries receive Marina Mabrey; Connecticut Sun receive Kate Martin, 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick.
Aaliyah Edwards to the Dallas Wings
It was reported in the beginning of July by ESPN’s Alexa Philippou that the Washington Mystics would attempt to move Aaliyah Edwards. There are several teams that should inquire about Edwards including the Dallas Wings. This is especially true given the Wings cleared up roster space by releasing Teaira McCowan after the DiJonai Carrington trade.
Edwards is a young forward that can offer rebounding and size, which the Wings could use. Under GM Curt Miller, Dallas is not in full rebuild mode quite yet, but continues to add players around their rookie superstar Paige Bueckers. Not only would this make sense with the release of McCowan, but Edwards was a former teammate of Paige Bueckers at UConn.
Aaliyah Edwards went off last night for the Mystics, dropping a career high 23 PTS, 14 REB & 4 BLK 🙌
Tonight the rook is right back at it vs. the Indiana Fever starting at 7:30pm/ET on ION
WNBA Commissioner’s Cup presented by @coinbase pic.twitter.com/edDnKGF7x2
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 7, 2024
This trade feels either inevitable or simply makes too much sense. It would be a win-win scenario, as the Wings would likely need to give up a first-round pick (hence the NaLyssa Smith trade). With a potential move, the Mystics would receive draft capital and wouldn’t be bothered by fitting Edwards into a rotation that already includes rookie Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin. Since trading Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm, the Mystics now have three first-round picks in 2026.
Trade Scenario: Dallas Wings receive Aaliyah Edwards; Washington Mystics receive 2027 first-round pick (from Las Vegas) and Aziaha James.
Arike Ogunbowale to the Chicago Sky
The most unlikely player to be moved by the deadline is Arike Ogunbowale. However, there is always that small chance a high profile player like Ogunbowale could get traded. The Dallas Wings are more than likely to move on from the seven year veteran, it’s only a matter of three scenarios:
- Do they want to keep her after next season?
- Will they be willing to pay her a bigger salary ?
- Would they rather get something of value for her now then letting her walk?
Right now the Wings enter a different phase, and continue to add pieces around Paige Bueckers. Ogunbowale is a star player in this league that could help a struggling team, such as the Chicago Sky. If traded to Chicago, Ogunbowale would add to their current rebuild, and the Sky are lacking scoring production from their guards. This is primarily due to injuries to Courtney Vandersloot and Ariel Atkins.
ARIKE FC!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/9RKkWPfc1K
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) July 31, 2025
Losing Vandersloot for the season was a huge blow, and Atkins has missed seven games so far. This leads the Sky to lean on Rebecca Allen and Rachel Banham which is not the ideal setup for Chicago.
Acquiring a guard of Ogunbowale’s caliber would mean they would receive a 3-level scorer as well as a player who can elevate the pressure off Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese when the defense collapses. This works in their favor and Dallas gets something of value before Ogunbowale possibly walks.
Trade Scenario: Rachel Banham, Michaela Onyenware, 2027 first-round pick.
Azurà Stevens to the Indiana Fever
A blockbuster move for the Indiana Fever would be trading for Los Angeles Sparks star Azurà Stevens. The Fever are a bottom five team in terms of average rebounds per game. Stevens not only would help them on the glass, but she would elevate the Fever as a true floor spacer. Stevens is a dynamic big that would absolutely be an upgrade to pair with Aliyah Boston.
Right now, Stevens is averaging 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from beyond the arc with the Sparks.
Azurá Stevens doesn’t even see her defender as she sinks the transition 3⃣
LAS-SEA | ION pic.twitter.com/303FyhghN2
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 2, 2025
Although this is a reach of a scenario, it works in a way that the Sparks would get a return on Stevens whose contract expires after this year. The Fever get an upgrade in the frontcourt, and if Caitlin Clark were to come back before the season ends, Stevens gives her more room to operate with on offense.
Trade Scenario: Indiana Fever receive Azurà Stevens; Los Angeles Sparks receive Natasha Howard and 2026 first round-pick.
