The Connecticut Sun have traded Rayah Marshall to the Dallas Wings in exchange for forward Diamond Miller.
The team announced the news Thursday afternoon, just days before free agents can begin signing on Saturday, as well as the upcoming WNBA Draft, which commences on Monday in New York City. Miller was selected by the Minnesota Lynx as the No. 2 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft. She started in 32 games for the Lynx and played 26.1 minutes per game as a rookie, averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. She earned All-Rookie Team honors.
Connecticut marks Miller’s third team in just three years. Last August, the Wings traded DiJonai Carrington to the Minnesota Lynx for Miller and Karlie Samuelson, who appeared in just 16 games before suffering a season-ending injury, as well as a 2027 second round pick.
Bringing on Miller, a young and versatile 6’3 forward with a lot of potential, reaffirms just what the Sun have been emphasizing all of last year — their youth will be key in the team’s rebuild.
Miller has already suffered multiple injuries in her basketball career. In 2022, while at Maryland, she underwent surgery on her right knee; then, in 2024, Miller would require surgery on her left knee, limiting her to just 21 games that season. Despite that, she has shown promise when given the opportunity.
As a rookie, she scored a career-high 25 points on July 1 against Phoenix (which she later matched on Aug. 29 in a loss to Washington). In her return to the court last year, she dropped 13 points for the Lynx in their season opener.
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Miller’s addition to the Sun’s young core of Leila Lacan, Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Morrow, and Aaliyah Edwards, who arrived late last season from the Mystics, further proves the value head coach Rachid Meziane and the Sun front office see in developing young talent. Miller already boasts athleticism, ability to score at all three levels (including finishing at the rim, knocking down shots beyond the arc and getting to the basket), as well as a knack for going coast-to-coast in transition. With ample playing time, her game can continue to be refined.
All the while, Miller’s “never-satisfied” attitude and willingness to learn perfectly matches the Sun’s “underdawg” mentality, the theme of their rookie campaign last season centered on Lacan, Rivers and Morrow’s talent and gritty style of play.
As for what’s next, Sun President Jen Rizzotti shared with Khristina Williams that they are in a “unique” situation right now in free agency.
“I think with the new CBA there’s opportunity to give players the stability that they’re looking for, at least financially and have them be excited that they get to be a part of maybe one chapter that’s closing here but also an exciting new chapter that’s opening for them in Houston,” Rizzotti said.
With the loss of Marina Mabrey to the Toronto Tempo in this year’s expansion draft, the Sun are lacking veteran leadership and experienced offensive firepower. Their leading scorer last season, Tina Charles, remains an unrestricted free agent, though she did publicly announce last season that she planned on returning to Connecticut. WNBA veterans Bria Hartley and Lindsay Allen are also unrestricted free agents.
Forward/guard Haley Peters remains a restricted free agent, as is center Olivia Nelson-Ododa, who started in 21 games last season and averaged a career-high 8.2 rebounds and five rebounds. Connecticut extended a restricted qualifying offer to Nelson-Ododa.
The Sun have also recently announced that guard Migna Touré, who appeared in five games last season, has signed a training camp contract with the team.
Connecticut, and the rest of the league, may begin signing free agent players on Saturday, April 11.