MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lynx traded Lindsey Harding, Nicole Ohlde and Vanessa Hayden-Johnson in three separate deals Friday in exchange for veteran guard Kelly Miller, forward Christi Thomas and two draft picks.
Harding, acquired in a draft-day deal with Phoenix in 2007 after the Mercury selected her with the No. 1 overall pick, was sent to Washington for a first-round pick, ninth overall, and a second-round selection, 15th overall, in this year’s draft. The Mystics also received two second-round picks, 23rd overall this year and one next year.
Along with their own first-round pick, fourth overall, the Lynx will have three of the first 15 selections.
“This is a very deep draft,” Lynx executive vice president Roger Griffith said in a release. “We’ll be able to add even more talent to our existing core of young and talented players.”
Harding averaged 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists over 44 games in her two seasons with the Lynx. She missed time each year due to injuries to her left knee, sitting out the final 14 games in 2007 after tearing an ACL and then the first 10 games last year due to a stress fracture.
“She is a quality, starting point guard who has played at a high level her entire career,” Mystics general manager Angela Taylor said. “Lindsey has unmatched speed and loves to play in an uptempo system. She will make an immediate impact in Washington by bringing solid leadership qualities and a desire to win a championship.”
Earlier in the day, the Lynx sent Ohlde to Phoenix for Miller and LaToya Pringle. Miller, a Rochester, Minn., native, was the state’s co-Ms. Basketball in 1997 along with twin sister Coco, who plays for Washington.
The 5-foot-10 Miller has averaged 8.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 255 career games for Charlotte, Indiana and Phoenix. She has also shot 39 percent on 3-pointers (213-for-548), placing her eighth all-time in the WNBA among players who have made at least 100.
The 6-3 Pringle averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks as a rookie for the Mercury last season.
“We fill two needs with this trade,” Lynx coach Don Zierden said. “In Miller, we get an established 3-point shooter and a point-guard who’s led teams deep into the playoffs. LaToya Pringle provides us with superior athleticism in the post and has the ability to block shots and contribute offensively. It’s unfortunate that we had to give up Nicole because not only was she a great player for us, but she was an even better person off the court.”
Ohlde averaged 10.0 points and 5.3 rebounds in 170 games over five seasons with Minnesota. The 6-5 center is in fourth place on the franchise’s career scoring list (1,695 points), tied for second in rebounds (898), third in assists (293) and second in blocks (134).
The Lynx acquired Thomas from the Sparks in a sign-and-trade deal for Hayden-Johnson, who entered the offseason as a restricted free agent. Thomas averaged 5.3 points and 4.1 rebounds in five years with the Sparks.
Hayden-Johnson had career averages of 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds in 123 games over four seasons for the Lynx.
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