Storm trade Jade Melbourne to Mystics for 2025 3rd round pick
Photo by Liz Wolter
By Christan Braswell
Seattle, WA - As the Storm approach Monday’s deadline for roster finalization, two additional moves were needed to get to the 11 active players they announced they were carrying to start the campaign.
Three days before the start of the season, Seattle traded second-year guard Jade Melbourne Saturday afternoon to the Washington Mystics for their 2025 third-round pick. Seattle selected her in the third round of the 2022 draft at No. 33 overall out of 36 picks.
Melbourne had a rough rookie season, averaging 2.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from the field and 15 percent on three-pointers in 29 games.
Trading her $64,154 contract gives the team some breathing room under the $1,463,200 salary cap, currently at $1,318,367.
The move likely ensures that rookie point guard Nika Mühl will enter the season as the backup to Skylar Diggins-Smith. Storm head coach Noelle Quinn has spoken several times about how Muhl communicates with her teammates and even gives out orders on the court.
“I thought she was solid. She uses her voice a lot. She commands her teammates to do whatever she needs or I need.”
That display of vocal leadership led Mühl to become UConn’s all-time assists leader, passing Storm legend Sue Bird. As one of the most “W-ready” players in this year’s draft, it’s hardly a surprise.
Standing at 12 active players on the roster, one more move is needed before Monday’s deadline.
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