Six times WNBA Star Jewell Loyd requested an exchange with the Seattle Storma league source confirmed Wednesday.
News of Loyd’s request comes as the Storm also announced Wednesday the conclusion of an investigation into the franchise for workplace conduct violations. The investigation — which, like Loyd’s trade request, was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times – alleged mistreatment of a player by the Seattle coaching staff.
The Storm, in a statement to , said that after receiving notice of the complaints, the organization retained an outside attorney to investigate the allegations. This investigation is now complete, with no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the organization.
According to the Sun TimesIt was Loyd who filed the complaint for harassment and intimidation.
“The investigation has been completed and there have been no findings of policy violations or discrimination, harassment or intimidation,” Storm’s statement said. “To protect the integrity of the process and maintain confidentiality, we have chosen not to comment while the investigation is ongoing. The Storm will continue to provide a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect.
Despite the results of the outside investigation, Loyd asked to leave the only WNBA home she had ever known. Loyd played for head coach Noelle Quinn the last three and a half seasons in Seattle; assistants Pokey Chatman and Perry Huang have also been with the Storm for at least three seasons each.
The Storm reshuffled its roster last offseason, signing Nneka Ogwumike And Skylar Diggins Smith in free agency. But neither likely would have joined the franchise if Loyd hadn’t first signed a two-year contract extension near the end of the 2023 season.
“Without Jewell signing, it would have been impossible to have Skylar and Nneka, because at the end of the day, players want to play with each other,” Quinn said. last April. “(All of this) won’t happen at all if Jewell doesn’t sign.”
Loyd was Seattle’s No. 1 pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft and is the final member of the franchise’s two-time title-winning Big 3, which included Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird. Loyd’s relationship with Quinn dates back to when the two were teammates in Seattle, when Quinn played for the franchise from 2016 to 2018.
Loyd established herself as one of the league’s premier guards in Seattle, winning Rookie of the Year, winning a scoring title and making three All-WNBA teams and two U.S. Olympic teams. But last season, when the Storm went 25-15, Loyd struggled to meet his standards. Although she averaged 19.7 points, her 36 percent from the field was the lowest of her career and her 3-point percentage (27.4 percent) was her lowest since her season. recruit.
Where could Loyd end up?
Loyd is from Illinois and played at Notre Dame, giving him regional ties to the Chicago Sky And Indiana fever. The Sky have no immediate need to trade for a superstar given the early stages of their rebuild, and the Fever are well stocked at guard, provided Kelsey Mitchell returns to Indiana in free agency.
A few Western Conference teams stand out as potential suitors for Loyd’s services. THE Valkyries of the Golden State could use a star as the hub of its roster in its expansion season. In Las Vegas, yes Kelsey Plum chooses to leave in unrestricted free will – she is the only one Ace All-Star to hit free agency before signing extension – Loyd could fit in alongside A’ja Wilson And Jackie Youngwho, like Loyd, are represented by Klutch Sports. Los Angeles needs a perimeter shot creator to pair with its young frontcourt Cameron Brink And Rickea Jackson. Finally, if Diana Taurasi retires, Loyd would be a natural replacement at shooting guard in Phoenix.
This article was originally published in Athletics.
Seattle Storm, WNBA
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