Earlier this week, it was reported by former Front Office Sports reporter Annie Costabile that Satou Sabally will not be returning to the Phoenix Mercury.
“Satou Sabally is not expected to re-sign with the Mercury, multiple sources tell me. Meetings with multiple teams are anticipated over the coming days when negotiations open up tomorrow.”
Satou Sabally released a brief message to the Mercury and their fans, calling last season her best year yet.
“My best year yet. Thank you, Phoenix.”
After spending the 2025 season with the franchise following a trade request from the Dallas Wings last January.
“I’m working with them together to find a next home for me,” she said. “I’ve already played my last game in Dallas.”
In February of last year, Sabally was involved in a three-team trade, according to ESPN, that included the Dallas Wings, Indiana Fever, and the Mercury. Dallas received Tyasha Harris and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan from the Mercury. The Wings also acquired NaLyssa Smith and the No. 8 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft from the Fever. Indiana received Sophie Cunningham and the Mercury’s second-round pick from the Mercury. Meanwhile, the Mercury received Kalani Brown, Sevgi Uzun, and Satou Sabally.
After the trade, Phoenix paired Sabally with Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, creating a Big 3 that led the Mercury to the WNBA Finals. Unfortunately, they would fall short to A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces in four games.
Since it was reported that she would not be returning to the Valley of the Sun, Sabally has been in Dallas for the last couple of days, according to her Instagram, which has WNBA fans speculating that she might return to Dallas. Just a season after requesting a trade.
If Sabally decided to sign with the Dallas Wings, she would be returning to a franchise that has significantly upgraded its roster with the trade for Li Yueru last June, the addition of All-Star and Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, and the signing of Jessica Shepard. They are also bringing back her former running mate, Arike Ogunbowale, and former teammate Awak Kuier.
Paige Bueckers spoke about her potential new teammates before the Wings and Mercury faced each other on July 3, 2025.
“She just has versatility to her game… She can shoot the three, she can shoot the mid-range. Get to the paint, get to the rim, get to the free throw line. Her size, of course. She provides a lot of problems on both sides of the floor.”
When asked about Bueckers, Sabally called her ” a phenomenal player.”
“It’s amazing. Paige is such a phenomenal player. She can score on every single level. She can facilitate. She gets in there and really plays with poise and calmness. I’ve been a fan of hers since college days, so I’m actually happy she’s with us.”
If Satou and the Dallas Wings come to terms on a deal, she will be one of the top players this offseason to sign with a former team. It was reported on Friday by Chiney Ogwumike that her sister, future Hall of Famer and former league MVP, Nneka Ogwumike, would be returning to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Nneka would also post a video on X with the caption, “It was always see you later, now I’ll see you soon…”
Following her departure from Seattle after two seasons.
