Natasha Cloud is expected to sign with the Phoenix Mercury, as first reported by Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports TV.
Cloud, who was viewed as one of the top free agent guards available this offseason, turns 32 in February and has spent the entirety of her career with the Washington Mystics since being drafted in the second round of the 2015 WNBA draft.
Throughout her career, the 2019 WNBA champion has been one of the top defensive players in the league, earning WNBA All-Defensive Team honors in 2019 and most recently in 2022. Cloud has also showcased her ability to be an effective floor general, leading the WNBA in assists during the 2022 campaign. Over her eight-year career with the Mystics, Cloud has averaged 8.1 points, 5.1 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals over 27.4 minutes in 248 games.
Cloud is coming off her best offensive season of her career in 2023, seeing an expanded role throughout the year with Washington dealing with numerous injuries. In 37 regular-season games, Cloud averaged 6.2 assists and 1.1 steals to go along with career-highs of 12.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in a career-best 32.4 minutes.
The Mercury will look for Cloud to jumpstart a group that has struggled mightily since reaching the WNBA Finals in 2021. After losing to Chicago in four games that year, Phoenix has gone a combined 24-52 over the last two seasons. The Mercury also control the rights to the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
