The Connecticut Sun announced on Friday afternoon that Aneesah Morrow has been traded to the Toronto Tempo. In return, the Sun acquired the rights to forward Maria Kliundikova and the Tempo’s 2028 second-round pick. This move comes as the Sun prepare for a significant transition, with their 2026 campaign being their last in Connecticut before relocating and rebranding as the Houston Comets under the ownership of Tilman Fertitta.
The Tempo, in a corresponding move to accommodate Morrow, waived guard Tima Pouye to maintain a 12-player roster. Morrow is expected to meet the Tempo in San Francisco, with the trade officially completing in the next 48 hours pending a physical.
Morrow’s Impact and Performance
Morrow, who was drafted by the Sun with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, has quickly established herself in the league. In her second WNBA season, she has rotated between a starting role and coming off the bench. Across 20 appearances, she has averaged 11.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists for the Sun. She has also recorded 9 double-doubles, which is tied for the eighth-most in the league.
Morrow’s final appearances for the Sun saw her start all three games. In Thursday’s 94-88 loss to the Chicago Sky, she finished with 21 points and seven rebounds. Her strong performance also includes back-to-back 21-point games against the Washington Mystics and the Toronto Tempo.
Her rebounding ability is a notable asset, as she averaged 13.8 rebounds per 36 minutes, ranking second in the league. In her rookie season, she led the league in defensive rebounding rate at 31.9%. Morrow, at 23 years old, appeared in 41 games in her rookie season and 20 of 29 games this season for Connecticut.
Tempo’s Strategic Acquisition
The Tempo have been actively seeking a young frontcourt star to complement their dynamic guard group, which includes rookie Kiki Rice and All-Star Marina Mabrey. This trade is seen as a significant gain for the Tempo, who currently hold a 10-18 record and have faced challenges with frontcourt availability. Players like Isabella Harrison have appeared in only 16 games, and Nyara Sabally in 19.
Monica Wright Rogers, the Tempo general manager, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition. She stated, “We’re thrilled to welcome Aneesah to our organization. She’s a relentless competitor who impacts the game in so many ways, particularly with her ability to rebound at a high level. We believe she’s one of the emerging front court talents in this league, and we’re excited to see her play in a Tempo uniform.”
The Tempo average 31.1 rebounds per game, which is the third-fewest in the league, making Morrow’s rebounding prowess a crucial addition. The Sun had previously declined an offer from the Tempo earlier in the season that included a first-round pick for Aaliyah Edwards.
Franchise Transitions and Future Outlook
The Sun organization is currently undergoing significant changes. With the impending relocation to Houston and rebranding as the Houston Comets, there has been a strong sense within the league that the front office would be active at the trade deadline. This activity aims to further the rebuilding process and build a winning team for their new market.
Jen Rizzotti, President of the Connecticut Sun, thanked Morrow for her contributions to the team. Rizzotti acknowledged Morrow’s professionalism, commitment, and her role as an ambassador for the franchise, highlighting the meaningful relationships she built with fans, teammates, and staff during her time in Connecticut.
Maria Kliundikova, whose rights were acquired by the Sun, was drafted 11th overall in 2018. She last played in the WNBA last season for the Minnesota Lynx, averaging 4.4 points and 3 rebounds in 11 minutes per game. The Tempo are currently on a five-game losing streak that started before the All-Star break and are set to begin a five-game road trip, starting with a two-game series against the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday.
Source: nytimes.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.