Chicago, IL – The Chicago Sky have acquired forwards Swin Cash and Le'Coe Willingham from the Seattle Storm in a blockbuster deal.
Chicago also gets one of Seattle's two 2012 second-round draft picks. In exchange, the Storm will receive the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft.
The Storm acquired Cash on February 19, 2008 from the Detroit Shock in exchange for the fourth overall pick in the 2008 draft. During four seasons in Seattle, Cash averaged 12.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
A three-time champion, Cash has averaged 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 314 career games (308 starts) with Detroit and Seattle.
Willingham signed as a free agent from the Phoenix Mercury on February 9, 2010. She averaged 6.0 points and 4.2 rebounds during two seasons with the Storm.
A two-time WNBA champion (2009, 2010) with Phoenix and Seattle, Willingham has reached the WNBA finals four times in her 8-year career.
Both players helped the Storm win the 2010 WNBA championship.
"With the additions of Swin and Le'Coe, we have gained tremendously skilled players and leaders," Chicago general manager Pokey Chatman said. "They also possess the experience and intensity needed to not only compete, but succeed at the highest level."
Seattle has not had a top-five pick in the draft since selecting Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird with the top picks in 2001 and 2002, respectively.
"We've spent a lot of time analyzing our current needs and what it will take to win another championship. We believe this trade positions us for short-and long-term success by adding a lottery pick and creating a substantial amount of salary cap space for free agency," Storm head coach and general manager Brian Agler said. "We are very thankful for the Swin and Le'coe's contributions to the success of the Storm, including the critical roles they played in helping us win the 2010 championship."
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.