LOS ANGELES — With the WNBA trade deadline today at 8 p.m. ET, the overall consensus around the association is that the Phoenix Mercury will not be participating in executing a blockbuster trade, thus keeping star guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
The Los Angeles Sparks inquired about the six-time All-Star, but talks never progressed, sources said.
Weeks ago, it appeared a Diggins-Smith, Mercury breakup was inevitable after a clip emerged showing her and teammate Diana Taurasi addressing one another combatively face-to-face during a timeout huddle.
There was plenty of interest in the nine-year veteran, but the Mercury didn’t feel as if they could get equal value in return, and they believe they have the talent to climb up in the standings for a more comfortable first-round opponent.