Marina Mabrey Trade Was a Bad Sign for Chicago Sky

Marina Mabrey's performance against her former team the Chicago Sky only made her trade to the Connecticut Sun more curious.

Jul 19, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Connecticut Sun player Marina Mabrey participates in the 3-point contest during the WNBA All-Star Skills Night at the Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Marina Mabrey getting traded from the Chicago Sky to the Connecticut Sun was always a curious move.

From a basketball standpoint, it made absolutely no sense. At least in the present. Mabrey was one of two players on the Sky who could create and get a shot. The other being Chennedy Carter, who hasn't exactly proved reliable, which was once again on display through her flagrant foul on her former teammate.

It was of course reported that Marina requested to be dealt from Chicago, which raises its own set of questions. What exactly was going on behind the scenes?

Possible lingering tension could be seen in an awkward moment leading up to the contest between the Sky and Sun. And Mabrey is not the only player who seems to have issues with the organization. As former Chicago player and current member of the Seattle Storm Gabby Williams had no problem telling Angel Reese publicly that she would prefer to play for a different organization when Reese attempted to recruit her in a light hearted fashion.

orrrrrr we could just play together for a différent organization 👀🤷🏽‍♀️😂

— gabby williams 👻 (@gabbywilliams15) August 11, 2024

The Sky have lost three out of four games since trading Mabrey, with the latest coming in a contest that saw Marina score 24 points to lead the Sun to a win. One that was followed up by another awkward moment when Mabrey was asked about the foul Carter committed on her.

marina was asked about chennedy's hard foul. she said "there's levels to this shit so i'm not gonna fight with that" 😭 pic.twitter.com/R2Zs3gcATi

— steve alexander (@perfectdeth) August 24, 2024

Mabrey's response did not exactly diffuse speculation that there were issues behind the scenes. But the Sky have serious issues on the court now too and the team's hold on a playoff spot seems tenuous at best.

Chicago's next five games come against the Las Vegas Aces (twice), the Washington Mystics, Minnesota Lynx, and Indiana Fever. The team's current level of play does not inspire confidence that they will emerge from that slate on the good side of .500.

The Sky are still a young squad with a core built on rookies in Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, so panic may be bit much. However, recent performances coupled with the odd Mabrey trade are at least cause for concern.