Greg Bibbs On Trading Skylar Diggins-Smith ‘I Think It Worked Out for Both Parties Involved’
Earlier this year, the Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury struck a deal that sent four-time All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith to the Mercury in exchange for the the fifth and seventh picks in the 2020 draft and a 2021 first-round pick.
After Diggins-Smith shared in late January that she didn’t want to play for the Wings.
“I don’t plan on playing in Dallas next year,” Diggins-Smith said. “I’m happy to be playing in this league and I want to play.”
Back in November of 2019, Diggins-Smith shared that did receive any support from the Wings organization, while she was out on fraternity leave.
Earlier Today, Dallas Wings CEO Greg Bibb spoke to the media via a Zoom call and answered numerous questions including, if it was easier to trade Diggins-Smith with Rookie of the Year runner up Arike Ogunbowale in the fold.
“Skylar [Diggins-Smith] is a WNBA multiple time player, so she is in a special category, an exclusive group. So, to lose a player of that skill level is meaningful. But again not to rehash the past, Skylar did not want to be in Dallas. So, it did not matter whether we wanted to do this and fortunately for us, and for her I think it worked out for both parties. She ended up on a very good Phoenix team, she is going to help them tremendously and I expect for them to be very good this year,” said Bibb.
“For us, it brought back a number of draft picks. It allowed us to have a draft where we were able to select three players, who I have high hopes that will be foundational pieces for our organization for a long-long time. So, I think it worked out for both sides I wish her nothing but the best. I know she is going have a great season. I’m really excited by Satou [Sabally], Bella [Alarie], Tyasha [Harris], and what they are going do for us, not only this yea, but for the foreseeable future.”
Meanwhile, Diggins-Smith will be paired with future Hall of Famers Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner, as they are one of the favorites to win a WNBA Championship this season.
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