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

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.