The Chicago Sky acquired Stephanie Mavunga from the Indiana Fever in exchange for Jantel Lavender on Friday afternoon. The Indiana Fever also get a second-round and third-round pick in the 2021 WNBA draft in the trade.
Lavender was in her the last year of her contract, so this move has more to do with the future in cap space for Chicago and adding youth for the future at the post position.
“This is a strong hit for our leadership as far as losing Jantel, a seasoned veteran with championship experience, such a great person, and someone who played well in the Chicago uniform. With all the injuries and with the competitive season, we felt that it was best for the betterment of our team to add another young piece that was good player and had great character,” Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade said per release.
Mavunga has been with the Indiana Fever since being selected by the franchise as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. The 6-foot-3 forward has appeared in five games so far this season averaging five points, four rebounds in 11.8 minutes per game.
Lavender was originally signed by the Sky prior to the 2019 season but has not played this 2020 season due to recovery from foot surgery she had over the summer. The 6-foot-4 center has been in the league since 2011 when she was drafted as the No. 5 overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks where she spent the majority of her career. She has averaged 8.7 points, 4.8 minutes in 20.8 minutes per game during her career.
This is the one notable trade that took place in the middle of this currently WNBA season. The trade deadline was August 28.
