Minnesota Lynx Trade Forward Tamika Raymond to Connecticut Sun for Forward Kristen Rasmussen
Published on March 14, 2008 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has traded forward Tamika Raymond to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for veteran forward Kristen Rasmussen. The Sun will also receive the right to swap second-round picks in the 2009 WNBA Draft.
"Tamika Raymond has meant a great deal to this organization both on and off the court over the course of the last six years," said Lynx Chief Operating Officer Roger Griffith. "While this was a difficult trade for the organization, the decision was made easier by the fact we will be a better team with the addition of Kristen to our roster. At the same time, Tamika was excited about getting the opportunity to go back to Connecticut, where she had so much success while playing at UConn. We are determined to improve our roster to become a playoff contender in 2008, and we feel that we are bringing in a post player in Kristen who will add experience to our roster and fill a role in Coach Zierden's offensive scheme."
Rasmussen, a 6-foot-4 forward, appeared in 33 of 34 regular-season games in 2007 with the Sun, averaging 3.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.
Rasmussen joins the Lynx having averaged 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 20.6 minutes per game in her eight-year career. The Lynx will be the eighth team that Rasmussen has played for in her WNBA career. A 2000 graduate of Michigan State University, Rasmussen was selected by the Utah Starzz in the fourth round (51st overall) of the 2000 Draft. She also played with the Miami Sol, Indiana Fever, Houston Comets, Charlotte Sting, and Phoenix Mercury.
Rasmussen has made two appearances in the WNBA Playoffs, in 2001 with the Sol and 2007 with the Sun. Against the Fever in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, she played in two of the three games, scoring 6.0 points and adding 2.0 rebounds in a reserve role.
Raymond was selected by the Lynx in the first round of the 2002 WNBA Draft with the sixth overall selection. In her six seasons in a Minnesota uniform, Raymond averaged 6.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists. In 2007, Raymond appeared in 21 games, including the final 13 of the regular season, averaging 1.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 7.1 minutes per game. She remains second on the league's career chart for field-goal accuracy at 55.9 percent. On July 17 at Connecticut, she hauled in the 1,000th rebound of her WNBA career, becoming the 33rd player in WNBA history to reach that mark.
Raymond was an integral part of Minnesota's two playoff appearances in 2003 and 2004. She played in all five playoff games, averaging a combined 14.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists.
"I am very thankful and appreciative of the one year that I coached Tamika here in Minnesota," Lynx head coach Don Zierden said. "We are very grateful for everything that she has done for this organization since she came here in 2002, and I wish her continued success in Connecticut. I am also very excited that Kristen will be joining the Minnesota Lynx organization. She brings veteran leadership and a great deal of experience, and she gives us much-needed depth in the post for the 2008 season."
The Minnesota Lynx will celebrate their 10th season in 2008. Season and group tickets are on sale now for this historic season. Be a part of the celebration by calling 612-673-8400, e-mailing tickets@lynxbasketball.com or visiting www.lynxbasketball.com.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from March 14, 2008
- Minnesota Lynx Sign Guard Ashley Awkward - Minnesota Lynx
- Sun Acquire Tamika Raymond In Trade With Lynx - Connecticut Sun
- Minnesota Lynx Trade Forward Tamika Raymond to Connecticut Sun for Forward Kristen Rasmussen - Minnesota Lynx
- Sun To Hold National Anthem Auditions - Connecticut Sun
- Storm re-signs Sue Bird to multi-year contract - Seattle Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
