Sun Acquire Montgomery, Top Pick In 2010 Draft From Lynx In Trade For Lindsay Whalen, Pick
January 12, 2010 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Connecticut Sun News Release
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (January 12, 2010) - The Connecticut Sun announced today that it has traded point guard Lindsay Whalen and the second overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft to Minnesota in exchange for Renee Montgomery and the No. 1 pick in 2010.
"We had a rare opportunity to leverage a high draft pick and turn it into a bigger, more encompassing deal" Sun Vice President and General Manager Chris Sienko said Wednesday. "While we are always reluctant to change an integral piece of our core group, we had to look at this as a unique chance to make a significant impact now and in the future. There is no doubt our fans will miss everything Lindsay has brought to the Sun over the past six years, though this new chapter could be even more exciting."
A former UConn star who collected 1,977 points and 626 assists while helping the Huskies reach two Final Fours, Montgomery averaged nine points and 2.1 assists last year as a rookie with the Minnesota Lynx. Drafted fourth overall by the Lynx in 2009, Montgomery scored a career-high 24 points against the Connecticut Sun last August 7th. She also had a career-high nine made field goals in that game.
"Today's trade is one of the most important and difficult decisions we have made in the history of our franchise," coach Mike Thibault said. "Six years ago, we traded a popular point guard (Shannon Johnson) for the draft pick we used to select Lindsay Whalen in the 2004 draft. She became a catalyst for a lot of the success this franchise has enjoyed during her time here and we owe her a great debt of gratitude."
The all-time career leader in Sun history with 964 assists, Whalen helped Connecticut reach the WNBA Finals in 2004 and 2005, her first two seasons in the league. Connecticut had consecutive 26-win seasons in 2005 and 2006, recording more wins in a single season than any team in Eastern Conference history.
"I realize more than anybody how much many of our fans will miss Lindsay, but there are times in professional sports where objectivity must take precedence," Thibault said, explaining that after missing the playoffs while recording the first losing record in Sun history last season, Connecticut needed to re-tool. "Therefore, today is also a great day to look forward to, a new era. While we never want to miss the playoffs again, the events of the past season and off-season have given us a rare opportunity to set a course for years to come. We are in a position to make positive, dramatic changes for the future.
"By trading Lindsay and second draft pick to Minnesota, we are able to acquire a young point guard in Renee Montgomery who, in time, can become one of the best guards in our league, as well as acquiring the first pick in this year's college draft. These players, along with the addition of DeMya Walker and the real possibility of adding one or two free agents in the next couple of weeks, give us a chance to positively re-make our team into a top contender in a very short amount of time."
The Connecticut Sun will open its eighth season of play on May 15th by hosting the Chicago Sky at 3:30 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now and can be reserved by calling a Sun Ticket Representatives at 1.877.SUN.TIXX or by visiting www.connecticutsun.com.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from January 12, 2010
- Lynx acquire Whalen and No. 2 overall pick from Connecticut - Minnesota Lynx
- Dream Owner To Be Honored At Georgia Tech's "Women Out Front" Celebration - Atlanta Dream
- Sun Acquire Montgomery, Top Pick In 2010 Draft From Lynx In Trade For Lindsay Whalen, Pick - Connecticut Sun
- Marianne Stanley Joins Mystics Coaching Staff - Washington Mystics
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