Kristi Toliver is headed to Washington.
The free agent guard signed with the Mystics on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.
The move caps a busy week for the Mystics, who traded for former league MVP Elena Delle Donne on Thursday. Washington traded away Kia Vaughn and Bria Hartley to clear salary cap space to sign Toliver. They also signed Tierra Ruffin-Pratt on Friday and put out an offer sheet on Seattle’s Krystal Thomas. The Storm have until Tuesday to match it.
Delle Donne said it was a goal of hers “to bring a championship to this incredible city” when she signed with Washington. Adding Toliver is expected to help with that.
Toliver won a WNBA title last season with the Los Angeles Sparks. She grew up in Virginia and as a freshman led Maryland to a national championship in 2006.
The combo guard averaged 13.2 points last season for the Sparks, one point more than her career average. She shoots 41 percent from the 3-point line, giving the Mystics another offensive threat from behind the arc.
Coach Mike Thibault has now made two huge moves to bolster a team that went 13-21 last season and missed the playoffs. The newcomers, along with young star Emma Meesseman and Tayler Hill, will try to get Washington its first championship. The Mystics announced Monday that they had re-signed Hill, who was a restricted free agent.
She was the team’s first round pick in 2013 and averaged a career-best 15.4 points for Washington last season.
“I am grateful to be back with the Mystics,” Hill said. “Coach T, the coaches and organization have always believed in me and I am super excited about this upcoming season. I look forward to playing in front of our great fans with great teammates.”
The Mystics lost Stefanie Dolson and Kahleah Copper in the Delle Donne deal, as well as the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft.
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