Connecticut Sun Designates Alyssa Thomas as Core Player, Commits to Veteran Star Amid Offseason Uncertainty
WNBA Draft Card Sales Smash Records”>Connecticut Sun Core Alyssa Thomas, Signaling Commitment to Veteran Star
The Connecticut Sun have made a decisive move this offseason, officially designating 11-year veteran Alyssa Thomas as a core player. The move, confirmed through the WNBA transactions page, ensures Thomas will be offered a one-year contract at the league’s maximum salary of $249,244. It also prevents her from negotiating with other teams as a free agent this winter.
Thomas, a five-time All-Star and one of the league’s most versatile players, has been a cornerstone of the Sun’s success in recent years. Last season, she averaged 10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, earning First Team All-WNBA honors for the second consecutive year. She also holds the WNBA record for most career triple-doubles and is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier defenders.
The core designation places Thomas among an elite group of WNBA stars this offseason, including Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), and Satou Sabally (Dallas Wings). However, the move doesn’t guarantee Thomas will remain in Connecticut. In the past, players have requested trades after receiving the core designation, leaving the door open for potential changes.
The Sun finished the 2024 season with a 28-12 record, reaching the WNBA semifinals before falling to the Minnesota Lynx in a hard-fought five-game series. Four of the team’s five starters—Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, and DiJonai Carrington—entered the offseason as free agents, with Carrington being the only restricted free agent among them.
In addition to coring Thomas, the Sun extended a qualifying offer to Carrington, the league’s Most Improved Player in 2024. Carrington played a pivotal role last season, averaging 12.7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game while often tasked with guarding the opposition’s top perimeter players. The team also offered a qualifying offer to reserve player Caitlin Bickle, signaling their intent to retain key contributors.
The offseason has been one of transition for the Sun, who hired Rachid Meziane, a French professional coach, as their new head coach following Stephanie White’s departure to the Indiana Fever. General manager Morgan Tuck has emphasized an “open-minded” approach to the team’s roster decisions, acknowledging the challenges of navigating free agency.
“We’ve had a lot of change within the last couple of months, and more change to come, obviously,” Tuck said recently. “But we’re a Connecticut team, and Connecticut is known for having really competitive teams and really good teams—so I don’t think we can shy away from that and the expectations around how good we need to be.”
The Sun’s ability to retain their core trio of Thomas, Bonner, and Jones will be a key storyline this offseason. Jones, 29, has spent her entire career with the Sun and is coming off a strong season, averaging 13.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Bonner, 37, remains a high-impact player, earning her sixth All-Star nod last season with averages of 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.
However, Thomas’s future with the team isn’t entirely certain. She has previously expressed frustration with the organization’s lack of amenities, including the absence of a dedicated practice facility. The Sun currently share the Tribal Practice Facility at the Mohegan Community and Government Center in Uncasville, Connecticut, a situation Thomas described as “the ultimate disrespect” during last year’s playoffs.
Whether these issues will influence Thomas’s decision to stay or seek a new chapter elsewhere remains to be seen. For now, the Sun are focused on building a roster capable of contending for a championship while balancing the need for long-term stability.
“You just have to look at the full picture and see what makes the most sense,” Tuck said. “What’s going to help you to remain competitive, but then also set us up for the future as well.”
With guards Ty Harris and Marina Mabrey already under contract for next season, the Sun have a solid foundation to build upon. But as free agency unfolds, the team’s ability to retain its veteran stars—and address their concerns—will shape their trajectory in the seasons to come.
Has made it clear that retaining its core talent is a top priority as it looks to build on its recent success. By designating Alyssa Thomas as a core player and extending a qualifying offer to DiJonai Carrington, the Sun are signaling their commitment to maintaining a competitive roster anchored by veteran leadership and emerging talent. Thomas,with her unparalleled versatility and defensive prowess,remains the heartbeat of the team,while Carrington’s growth and impact last season underscore her importance to the Sun’s future.
as the offseason unfolds, the Sun’s front office will face critical decisions in shaping the roster for the 2025 campaign. While the core designation secures Thomas for now, the possibility of trade requests or further roster adjustments looms. Nonetheless, the Sun’s proactive approach demonstrates their determination to remain a championship contender in a league that continues to grow in talent and competitiveness. With Thomas leading the charge and a strong supporting cast in place, the Connecticut Sun are poised to continue their pursuit of the franchise’s first WNBA title, building on a foundation of resilience, teamwork, and star power.
The Connecticut Sun’s decision to designate Alyssa Thomas as a core player underscores their commitment to maintaining a competitive roster built around one of the WNBA’s most dynamic and versatile talents. Thomas’s leadership, defensive prowess, and record-setting performances have been instrumental in the Sun’s recent success, and securing her for another season sends a clear message about the team’s priorities. As the Sun navigate a pivotal offseason marked by coaching changes and free agency uncertainties,retaining Thomas alongside key contributors like DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones will be critical to sustaining their championship aspirations.
While the core designation solidifies Thomas’s immediate future with the team, the Sun’s broader strategy under new head coach Rachid Meziane and general manager Morgan Tuck will determine whether they can build on their strong foundation. With a mix of veteran experience and emerging talent, the Sun are poised to remain a formidable force in the league. However, as history has shown, the WNBA’s competitive landscape is ever-evolving, and the Sun must continue to adapt to stay ahead.
As the offseason unfolds, all eyes will be on Connecticut to see how they balance continuity with innovation. One thing is certain: with Alyssa Thomas at the helm,the Sun have a proven leader capable of guiding them through the challenges ahead. The team’s ability to retain its core and build around Thomas’s unparalleled skill set will not only shape their 2025 campaign but also define their legacy in the WNBA for years to come.