From the team press release:
Phoenix - The Phoenix Mercury acquired forward/center Kara Braxton from Tulsa in exchange for forward/center Nicole Ohlde and its 2011 first round draft pick, the club announced today.
"It was a hard decision to make," Head Coach Corey Gaines said. "Ohlde is a part of our championship family and we thank her for all she has contributed to this team the last two and a half years. Braxton is a force that will help us this year and into the future. She has played on WNBA championship teams. She is one of the few bigs in this league who demands a double team, which is what every coach in the world would love to have in a post."
Braxton, a 6-6 forward/center, is averaging 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game and is shooting 50% from the field. In four games vs. the Mercury this season she averaged 12.8 points and 4.0 rebounds including 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting last night in the Mercury's 123-91 win over the Shock. The sixth-year veteran holds career averages of 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
"Kara adds a different dimension to our team," Mercury guard Diana Taurasi said, "a low post presence and a big body. She is a winner and has proved it in Detroit winning two championships."
Originally selected by Detroit in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2005 WNBA Draft, the Georgia University product was a part of two championship teams with the Shock (2006, 2008).
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I like this trade.
The team needed a shake up, and as much as I wanted Nicole to succeed, it just wasn’t happening.
Good move by AMD and the front office by realizing what needed to be done and taking a chance.
Bright Side of the Sun, for all things Phoenix Suns. Twitter: @iamtrevorpaxton
by Trevor Paxton on Jul 23, 2010 1:16 PM MST reply actions
Tang to the bench?
Does this addition mean Tangela Smith could be moved to the bench? She’s been under-performing this season, and the bench needs some oomph. I think this would allow Kara to pick up the offense much faster. There’s only about a month left, so the Merc need to cut the learning curve down quite a bit.
by ajotanelsona on Jul 23, 2010 1:33 PM MST reply actions
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