UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut has traded veteran guard Kara Lawson to Washington in a series of deals that included guard Alex Bentley moving from Atlanta to the Sun, and Mystics guard Matee Ajavon heading to the Dream.
Washington initially traded Ajavon and its second-round pick in the upcoming WNBA draft to the Dream on Wednesday in exchange for Bentley and a third-round pick. The Mystics then sent Bentley to the Sun for Lawson.
Lawson, who is starting her 12th WNBA season, played in just nine games during an injury-plagued 2013. The Olympic gold medalist and ESPN analyst, averaged 11.5 points during her four seasons in Connecticut, which finished a league-worst 10-24 last year.
She will be reunited in Washington with Mike Thibault, who coached Connecticut before leading the Mystics to the playoffs last season.
“She brings a level of skill and professionalism that will help push us forward in our quest to become an elite team in the WNBA,” Thibault said in a statement.
Bentley averaged just over eight points for the Eastern Conference champion Dream and made the WNBA’s 2013 All-Rookie team.
“At the end of the day, we want people who want to be here, want to buy into the program and who want to help us achieve our goal of bringing a WNBA championship to Connecticut,” said Sun coach Anne Donovan.
Ajavon, a six-year WNBA veteran, scored just under five points a game for Washington last season.
“Matee brings a defensive intensity, explosive playmaking skills in the open-court, and light-hearted and positive energy that complement our existing core,” said Angela Taylor the general manager of the Dream.
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