Shock acquires two WNBA veterans in trades with Minnesota and New York
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Friday, March 01, 2013
3/01/13 at 2:42 PM
The Tulsa Shock has acquired WNBA veterans Candice Wiggins and Nicole Powell in multiple trades with the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty.
The Shock relinquished a total of three selections in the 2013 and 2014 drafts and traded the negotiating rights in a complicated three-way deal. The Shock also traded the negotiating rights to Deanna Nolan to New York in exchange for the Liberty’s 2013 third-round selection.
Nolan, a former member of the Shock when the franchise was in Detroit, has not played in the WNBA since 2009.
Wiggins, a 5-foot-11 guard, played in all 43 regular-season and playoff games for the WNBA-runnerup Lynx last season, averaging 6.8 points and two assists per game while shooting almost 40 percent from 3-point range.
“I’m so excited to play in Tulsa,” Candice Wiggins said. “I want to thank the city of Minneapolis for all it’s given me. I want to thank the coaches, the players, the fans and people of Minnesota for their support. Tulsa is a warm place and I have always loved playing in the BOK Center. I’m excited be a part of this organization. I want to thank Tulsa for this golden opportunity for me to bring my talent to this righteous city.”
Powell, a 6-foot-2 forward, started 21 regular-season games and two in the playoffs for the Liberty last season, averaging 7.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
“These kids have won championships and this going to add so much more to the intangibles of our locker room,” Shock president Steve Swetoha said.
Wiggins was part of the Lynx’ 2011 WNBA championship team. Powell won a league title with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005.
In exchange for Wiggins, the Shock traded its 2014 second-round draft pick. For Powell, the Shock relinquished its second- and third-round selections in the 2013 draft.
By acquiring New York’s 2013 third-round selection, the Shock will choose at 29th overall. The Liberty will choose at 27th overall.
