Jewell Loyd asks Seattle Storm for trade

The Storm announced Wednesday that its investigation into alleged harassment and bullying has been completed and no violations have been found. But the team is preparing for a major change to its roster.

Two-time WNBA champion and former Niles West star Jewell Loyd has requested a trade, sources close to the star told the Sun-Times on Wednesday.

Loyd — who was drafted by the Storm with the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and was named rookie of the year — was at the center of the investigation after she filed a complaint detailing allegations against the Storm’s coaching staff , a source familiar with the situation told the Sun-Times. Loyd’s future in Seattle depended on the belief that relations within the organization could be improved.

The Storm re-signed Loyd to a two-year supermax extension in September 2023. Although the team finished 11-29 that season – the most losses in franchise history – Loyd decided to return after several discussions with ownership and coach Noelle Quinn reinforced her belief in the franchise’s direction.

Loyd’s extension led the Storm to sign free agents Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike four months later. In their opening press conference, both cited working with Loyd as one of their main reasons for choosing Storm over other suitors, including Sky.

Ogwumike told the Sun-Times in May that Loyd’s extension signaled the franchise was “doubling down a bit” despite the difficult 2023 season.

It’s unclear what exactly led to the dissolution of a roster that caused a stir among superteams less than a year ago.

The Storm went 25-15 in 2024 before being defeated by the Aces in the first round of the playoffs. After the two-game win, Quinn praised the team’s performance, saying, “I’ll be better. Our team will be better. Effort will never be a thing for us again.”

Quinn – who has a 74-68 record in four seasons with the Storm – took over as coach in 2021 after Dan Hughes retired. She served as an assistant on Hughes’ staff for two seasons before being promoted. She was also a player on the Storm’s 2018 championship team.

Despite the Storm’s relative success in 2024, there were signs that strong chemistry was never developed within the team. The Storm finished the second half of the season 8-7. Responsibility was often emphasized in post-game interviews with players at the end of the season.

During exit interviews, Quinn was asked directly about a discrepancy within the team and whether she believed it was something that could be resolved without making any changes to the roster.

“Sometimes when I talk to you, it’s right after a highly emotional situation,” Quinn said in September. “Even today, I don’t feel like I’ve had enough time to do a thorough assessment. I don’t want to speak out of elation. The fact that our team will have to change due to the expansion draft and free agency is very real.

“Every year a team looks a little different. We hope to continue to attract players who have the attitude we’ve been pushing for all year. The players who will be here and stay to make sure this is never an issue again. Pride and effort – these things should always be important to us and the way we show up to play.”

Loyd’s contract, worth $249,032, has one year left. Their trade request will serve as a catalyst for overhauling the Storm roster.

In Friday’s expansion draft, one of the Storm’s unprotected players could be selected by the Valkyries. The Storm will have six players become unrestricted free agents in January, including Ogwumike, center Mercedes Russell, forward Gabby Williams and guard Sami Whitcomb.