Tempo Land Aneesah Morrow in Trade with Sun
The Toronto Tempo made the first big move ahead of Sunday's WNBA trade deadline, acquiring forward Aneesah Morrow from the Connecticut Sun on Friday. In exchange, the Sun receive the rights to 28-year-old forward Maria Kliundikova and a 2028 second-round pick. The team also waived guard Tima Pouye to make room on the roster.
Morrow, 23, was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft out of LSU and is in her second professional season. She has played 20 games for the Sun this year, starting nine, and averaged 11.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 23.2 minutes per game. She shot 42.1% from the field, 28.4% from three, and 62.5% from the free-throw line.
The trade comes as the Tempo look to bolster their frontcourt during their inaugural season. Toronto currently sits 10-18, 12th in the league standings, but just two games out of a playoff spot. The team has been searching for a young post presence to complement their guard depth, and Morrow fits that need.
Why the Sun Moved Morrow
Morrow had fallen out of Connecticut's rotation recently, despite showing flashes of her potential. In her last two games with the Sun—losses to the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky—she scored 21 points in each contest while shooting a combined 58.4% from the field. Those performances highlighted the talent that made her a first-round pick, but the Sun's coaching staff had increasingly turned to other options.
Connecticut, currently 14-14 and fighting for playoff positioning, likely wanted to add future assets for a player who was not seeing consistent minutes. The 2028 second-round pick gives them flexibility, and Kliundikova—who did not report to the Tempo after being selected in the expansion draft—could provide depth in the future if she chooses to play in the WNBA. For now, the Sun clear a roster spot and gain draft capital.
Morrow's Potential Impact in Toronto
Morrow has already proven she can rebound at an elite level. She led the NCAA in rebounding twice during her college career, first at DePaul and then at LSU, and has carried that skill into the pros. Her 8.9 boards per game this season rank among the top rebounders in the league, and she adds a physical presence that the Tempo have lacked.
Toronto's offense has relied heavily on their guards, but Morrow gives them a reliable interior scorer who can also create second-chance opportunities. Her ability to run the floor and finish around the rim should mesh well with the Tempo's up-tempo style. At 6-foot-1, she can guard multiple positions and provides versatility on defense.
The Tempo have struggled with consistency in their first season, alternating wins and losses over the past few weeks. Morrow's arrival could stabilize their frontcourt rotation and give them a much-needed boost as they chase a postseason berth. With the trade deadline still two days away, Toronto may not be done dealing, but this move signals their intent to compete now.
Broader Implications for the WNBA Trade Deadline
The Morrow trade is just the beginning of what could be a busy weekend. The deadline is set for 3 p.m. ET Sunday, and several marquee names are reportedly on the block. Kelsey Plum of the Los Angeles Sparks is the most prominent, with the Golden State Valkyries among the teams rumored to be interested. Plum has not played since June 21 due to a lower left leg injury, and the Sparks have already parted with their general manager, suggesting a rebuild might be underway.
Other players to watch include stars on one-year deals, as the league's new collective bargaining agreement has created more flexibility for teams to make moves. The upcoming draft is considered deep, so trades involving picks are likely. The [Morrow trade – wait, that link doesn't fit here. Let me rephrase.
As the deadline approaches, teams will be weighing short-term playoff pushes against long-term rebuilding. The Tempo's acquisition of Morrow shows that expansion franchises are not content to simply develop young players—they want to win now. Morrow, who is under team control for at least two more seasons, represents both an immediate upgrade and a building block for the future.
The Sun, meanwhile, are betting on future flexibility. By dealing Morrow, they gain an extra pick and clear salary cap space, which could allow them to make a bigger move before Sunday or during free agency next year. This trade might be the first domino in a series of deals that reshapes the WNBA landscape for the remainder of the season and beyond.
For Morrow, the change of scenery offers a fresh start. After being drafted seventh overall, she showed promise as a rookie, but her role in Connecticut diminished this year. In Toronto, she steps into a situation where she is likely to see increased minutes and a clear path to a starting role. The Tempo's fans, who have already made the team one of the most energetic environments in the league, will get a chance to see a young player with All-Star potential develop in real time.
As the trade deadline looms, all eyes will be on the WNBA's contenders and pretenders. The Tempo have made their intentions clear—they are going for it. Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen, but with Morrow in the fold, Toronto just got a lot more interesting.
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