Jewell Loyd requests trade out of Seattle

The Storm's investigation into alleged harassment and bullying concluded on Wednesday with no violations found, the team announced. However, the Storm is bracing for a significant shift to their roster. Two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd has requested out of Seattle, sources close to the star told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. Loyd — who was drafted by the Storm with the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and was named Rookie of the Year — was at the center of the team's investigation after she filed a complaint detailing allegations of harassment and bullying by the Storm's coaching staff, a source close to the situation told the Sun-Times. Loyd's future in Seattle was contingent upon a belief that relationships within the organization could be mended. The Storm re-signed Loyd to a two-year supermax extension last September. Despite the team finishing 11-29 in 2023 — the most losses in franchise history — Loyd opted to return after multiple conversations with ownership and Coach Noelle Quinn solidified her belief in the franchise's direction. Loyd's extension had a direct influence on the Storm signing Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike four months later in free agency. In their introductory press conference, both players cited teaming up with Loyd as one of their top reasons for choosing the Storm over multiple other suitors, including the Sky. Ogwumike told the Sun-Times in May that Loyd's extension, despite the rough season they had in 2023, signaled the franchise was "doubling down on something." It's unclear at this point what exactly led to the unraveling of a roster that garnered super team buzz less than a year ago. The Storm went 25-15 in 2024 before being swept by the Aces in the first round of the playoffs. Following their two-game sweep, Quinn called out the team's effort, saying, "I will be better. Our team will be better. Effort will never, ever be a thing for us again."Quinn — who has a 74-68 record with the Storm in four seasons — took over as coach in 2021 after Dan Hughes retired. She was an assistant on Hughes staff for two seasons before being promoted. She was also a player on the Storm's 2018 championship roster. Despite the Storm's relative success in 2024, there were signs that the team never developed a strong chemistry. The Storm went 8-7 to close out the second half of the season. Accountability was emphasized often in players' postgame interviews as the season ended. During exit interviews, Quinn was asked directly about a disconnect within the team and whether she believed it was something that could be remedied without changes to the roster. "Sometimes when I talk to you guys, it's immediately after a high emotional situation," Quinn said in September. "Even today, I don't feel like I've had enough time to evaluate thoroughly. I don't want to speak out of high emotion. There is some reality to the fact that our team has to change because of the expansion draft and free agency.""Every year, a team looks a little different. The hope is to continue to bring in players that have that mindset that we've been harping on all year. The players that are going to be here and remain here to make sure that's never the topic anymore. Pride, effort those things should always be top of mind and on our hearts and how we show up to play." Loyd's trade request will serve as the catalyst for the Storm's roster overhaul. The expansion draft of Friday could see one of the Storm's unprotected players selected by the Valkyries. In January, the Storm will see six players become unrestricted free agents including Ogwumike, center Mercedes Russell, forward Gabby Williams and guard Sami Whitcomb.

Dec 5, 2024 - 01:33
 0
Jewell Loyd requests trade out of Seattle

The Storm's investigation into alleged harassment and bullying concluded on Wednesday with no violations found, the team announced. However, the Storm is bracing for a significant shift to their roster.

Two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd has requested out of Seattle, sources close to the star told the Sun-Times on Wednesday.

Loyd — who was drafted by the Storm with the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and was named Rookie of the Year — was at the center of the team's investigation after she filed a complaint detailing allegations of harassment and bullying by the Storm's coaching staff, a source close to the situation told the Sun-Times. Loyd's future in Seattle was contingent upon a belief that relationships within the organization could be mended.

The Storm re-signed Loyd to a two-year supermax extension last September. Despite the team finishing 11-29 in 2023 — the most losses in franchise history — Loyd opted to return after multiple conversations with ownership and Coach Noelle Quinn solidified her belief in the franchise's direction.

Loyd's extension had a direct influence on the Storm signing Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike four months later in free agency. In their introductory press conference, both players cited teaming up with Loyd as one of their top reasons for choosing the Storm over multiple other suitors, including the Sky.

Ogwumike told the Sun-Times in May that Loyd's extension, despite the rough season they had in 2023, signaled the franchise was "doubling down on something."

It's unclear at this point what exactly led to the unraveling of a roster that garnered super team buzz less than a year ago.

The Storm went 25-15 in 2024 before being swept by the Aces in the first round of the playoffs. Following their two-game sweep, Quinn called out the team's effort, saying, "I will be better. Our team will be better. Effort will never, ever be a thing for us again."

Quinn — who has a 74-68 record with the Storm in four seasons — took over as coach in 2021 after Dan Hughes retired. She was an assistant on Hughes staff for two seasons before being promoted. She was also a player on the Storm's 2018 championship roster.

Despite the Storm's relative success in 2024, there were signs that the team never developed a strong chemistry. The Storm went 8-7 to close out the second half of the season. Accountability was emphasized often in players' postgame interviews as the season ended.

During exit interviews, Quinn was asked directly about a disconnect within the team and whether she believed it was something that could be remedied without changes to the roster.

"Sometimes when I talk to you guys, it's immediately after a high emotional situation," Quinn said in September. "Even today, I don't feel like I've had enough time to evaluate thoroughly. I don't want to speak out of high emotion. There is some reality to the fact that our team has to change because of the expansion draft and free agency."

"Every year, a team looks a little different. The hope is to continue to bring in players that have that mindset that we've been harping on all year. The players that are going to be here and remain here to make sure that's never the topic anymore. Pride, effort those things should always be top of mind and on our hearts and how we show up to play."

Loyd's trade request will serve as the catalyst for the Storm's roster overhaul.

The expansion draft of Friday could see one of the Storm's unprotected players selected by the Valkyries. In January, the Storm will see six players become unrestricted free agents including Ogwumike, center Mercedes Russell, forward Gabby Williams and guard Sami Whitcomb.

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow

CryptoFortress Disclosure: This article does not represent investment advice. The content and materials featured on this page are for educational purposes only.