WNBA Free Agency Day 1 full of surprises

Multiple players have signed new contracts around the WNBA today as free agency officially started today. Washington, Seattle and Las Vegas each had at least one player sign a contract today prior to the start of the WNBA season.

After dropping hints on Twitter for the last few days of players shifting across the league -- including a player/coach reunion would be occurring in the East – it seems that rumor did involve Monique Currie. The Washington Mystics announced Currie would be returning to Mystics after she played there from 2007-2014.

Head coach Mike Thibault stated the following on Currie’s return:

“We are very excited to bring Monique Currie back to her home in DC! Mo will fill a huge role for our team. Her ability to score on the wing and get to the lane and free throw line will be an important part of our offense. In addition, she has worked hard to become a bigger factor from the three-point line, which will allow us to stretch the floor with Elena and Kristi. I think this will be a comfortable fit all around for our team.”

The Mystics will need more scoring to fill the void of Emma Meesseman who announced she would be sitting out the 2018 season.

“I am excited to be back with the Mystics in my hometown!” stated Currie in the team’s press release. “It feels great to be back with such an amazing organization that I spent many years with. I look forward to joining with the new players in Washington as well as the ones I’ve played with in the past.”

Las Vegas also picked up two players today outside of making a trade with the Indiana Fever.

Carolyn Swords and Tamera Young are the newest additions to the Aces’ roster the franchise stated today.

“There isn’t a harder working player in the WNBA than Tamera Young,” said head coach Laimbeer in a press release. “She leads by example in that category, and gives us a veteran to help with our young team. We need a bigger emphasis on defense, and Tamera is an outstanding defender.”

Young is a 10-year veteran in the league who split time between Chicago and Atlanta last year where she averaged 8.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and a career-high 1.9 assists.

Last year Swords played with the Seattle Storm, however, in the past had played under Laimbeer when he coached the New York Liberty.

“I coached Carolyn in New York, and she is a quality person and a great teammate,” said Laimbeer in a statement. “She does whatever is asked of her. The league gets bigger every year, and Carolyn gives us the size to match up against the Griners and Fowles in the league.”

Seattle also made a move today as the franchise announced the signing of Sami Whitcomb to a multi-year contract.

The Storm’s President & GM Alisha Valavanis stated the following on Whitcomb:

“Sami is an explosive player on both ends of the floor. Her ability to score in bunches, combined with her energy and ability to mix it up on the defensive-end makes her a special player. We are excited to watch her WNBA career continue to develop.”

As a rookie last year with Seattle, she made an immediate impact, especially from deep as she lit the court up on May 26 when she drilled six triples as the Storm came back to defeat New York.

“I am so incredibly thrilled for the opportunity to return to the Storm,” Whitcomb said in the Seattle release. “The city of Seattle and its phenomenal sports community has been home to me ever since my UW days. It’s a dream to be back on a multi-year deal with the best teammates and the best organization.”

Phoenix made a splash be signing veteran Sancho Lyttle, and also announced Emma Cannon and Yvonne Turner have re-signed to stay with the Mercury according to the WNBA page.

After having to sit out last year so she could continue to rehab her knee, Maggie Lucus has returned to the league after inking a contract with the Atlanta Dream.

Stay up to date with the latest WNBA news during the offseason here at Swish Appeal.