Connecticut Sun's Jonquel Jones was the WNBA's MVP in 2021.

Connecticut Sun's Jonquel Jones was the WNBA's MVP in 2021. Credit: AP/Charles Rex Arbogast

The Liberty’s quest to win a WNBA title improved dramatically on Monday when they acquired former MVP Jonquel Jones from the Connecticut Sun in a three-team trade.

Jones, a four-time All-Star who won the WNBA MVP award in 2021, reportedly requested a trade to the Liberty. She had one year left on her contract with the Sun.

The Liberty sent guard Rebecca Allen to the Sun and forward Natasha Howard to the Dallas Wings. The Wings also acquired the rights to Liberty guard Crystal Dangerfield.

Dallas sent forward Kayla Thornton to the Liberty and guard Tyasha Harris to Connecticut. The Liberty sent the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft to the Sun.

“To say I’m excited would be a huge understatement!” Jones wrote on social media. “To the fans, future teammates and everyone that has welcomed me to New York thank you! I can’t wait to get this season going and show out in the Big Apple!!”

Jones, a 6-6 forward, averaged 14.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game last season.

“Adding Jonquel and Kayla to our roster in the prime of their careers was a can’t-miss opportunity to bolster our frontcourt on both ends of the floor,” Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said. “JJ brings an established MVP skill set and Kayla possesses a rare combination of defensive physicality and offensive spacing. We can’t wait to welcome them to the Liberty family and get to work on pursuing our championship goals.”

Jones, All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu and guard/forward Betnijah Laney are expected to help make the Liberty a title contender this season.

Ionescu averaged 17.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.1 steals in a breakout season in 2022. Laney, who was an All-Star for the Liberty in 2021, missed most of last season after having knee surgery. A healthy Laney will be a big key for the Liberty in 2023.

Thornton, a 6-1 forward, started 35 games for the Wings last season and will help to fill the void left by the 6-2 Howard, an All-Star last season. Thornton averaged 8.0 points and 5.9 rebounds per game last season.

While the Liberty added one of the league’s best players, they also lost three starters and the sixth overall pick.

With Dangerfield and Allen gone, the Liberty likely will need to address the backcourt. Dangerfield started 27 games last season, allowing Ionescu to play off the ball and be more of a scorer. Allen, a 6-2 guard, provided length and shooting.

The Liberty also could be active in the free-agent market, especially after giving up their first-round pick in the deal.

Howard played two seasons with the Liberty and averaged 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 35 starts last season.

“Tash played a tremendous role in repositioning this franchise as a playoff contender,” Kolb said. “It was truly special to see a three-time WNBA champion take a chance on us and embrace the challenge of elevating a young core to the extent that she did.”

Kolb said of Allen: “Bec made a lasting impact on the Liberty organization throughout her seven years here. She has been with this franchise through ups, downs, relocations and transitions, yet her professionalism and effort never wavered.’’

Moore officially retires

Four years after stepping away from the game, Maya Moore knew it was time to officially end her basketball career.

The Minnesota Lynx star left the WNBA in 2019 to help her now-husband Jonathan Irons win his release from prison by getting his 50-year sentence overturned in 2020. Irons married Moore soon after his release and the couple had their first child, Jonathan Jr., in July.

She announced her decision to retire on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Before Monday, Moore had been noncommittal about playing basketball again.

“Well, I think it’s time to put a close to the pro basketball life,” she said. “I walked away four seasons ago but wanted to officially retire. This is such a sweet time for us and our family. The work we’ve done, I want to continue that in our next chapter. Be home for my community and family.”

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