Storm grant Li's request, trade center to Wings

The Dallas Wings acquired Li Yueru from the Seattle Storm connected Saturday aft the halfway requested a commercialized successful a quest for much playing time.

The Wings are getting Li successful speech for a second-round prime successful the 2026 WNBA draught and a third-round enactment successful 2027.

Li had averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds implicit 8.7 minutes successful 9 games with the Storm this play aft joining the squad successful a three-team commercialized involving the Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces connected Feb. 1.

"I don't consciousness I person capable clip connected the court," Li, a autochthonal of China, said past week. "I came present lone to play the game. I'm truly blessed and appreciative due to the fact that I cognize galore teammates, I've made galore caller friends and cognize galore antithetic staff, coach. These truly fto maine consciousness happy, and I'm truthful gladsome for that, but playing is 1 of the important things for me."

The 6-foot-7 Li, 26, has averaged 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds successful 63 vocation games (two starts) with the Chicago Sky, Sparks and Storm.

A root had told ESPN that the Chinese federation wanted Li to get much playing clip if she was to stay successful the WNBA. Li led China successful scoring (17.7) and rebounding (11.0) astatine the Paris Olympics past year.

"I conscionable privation to play," Li said. "I came to America lone for 1 crushed -- conscionable that I privation to play basketball."

Information from ESPN's Kevin Pelton and Field Level Media was utilized successful this report.