Details Confirmed: Pondexter to NY For Dupree In 3-Team Deal

by Seth Pollack on Mar 29, 2010 11:57 PM EDT in WNBA

Cappie Pondexter will be leaving the Phoenix Mercury in a trade that returns Candace Dupree to the 2009 WNBA Champions. (Photo by Max Simbron)

As reported by Doug Feinberg of the Associate Press earlier today, Phoenix Mercury wing Cappie Pondexter will be traded to the New York Liberty in a three-way deal involving the Chicago Sky.

Swish Appeal has now confirmed with multiple league sources that the deal will send guard Kelly Mazzante along with Pondexter from the Mercury to New York, with forwards Shameka Christon and Catherine Kraayeveld going to the Chicago Sky and forward Candice Dupree returning to Phoenix.

As we reported here in December, the Mercury were faced with pressure from the league-mandated reduction in the salary cap and would be unable to keep the core pieces of their championship team intact. This deal frees up cap space that will allow the Mercury to re-sign free agents Penny Taylor and Temeka Johnson while still landing a 3-time all-star who was third in the league in rebounds per game in 2009.

The Mercury give up one of the most dynamic players in the game who is both a crowd favorite and explosive force on the court. The Sky appear to have replaced one extremely good forward with two very good players who will provide depth to a team that was 16 and 18 last season.

The deal is expected to be finalized tomorrow.

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I think my initial reaction to this was absolute shock. Knew Cappie was headed to New York anyway, but it’s tough seeing this actually happen. (I’ll miss you, Cap!)

On the other hand, Merc front office was able to clear cap space, send a star player to where she really wanted, and got Candice Dupree for all their troubles. Not a bad deal, I hope. (Although I’m sure Key would’ve tossed Toliver in the deal if we prodded him hard enough. Honest.)

by fadeoutin on Mar 30, 2010 11:44 AM EDT reply actions

My understanding is that if Toliver was involved she was going to New York

I’m not sure what better Merc fans thought they could have gotten out of this… something had to give financially and Dupree, plus the ability to bring back Temeka Johnson is really not that bad a deal…

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by Nate Parham on Mar 30, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions