Former UConn Huskies standout Tiffany Hayes was traded to the Connecticut Sun from the Atlanta Dream for the No. 6 pick in the 2023 draft, the teams announced Thursday.
Atlanta originally had the Nos. 3 and 8 picks in this draft, then last month traded the third pick and the Dream's 2025 first-round pick to Dallas to acquire guard Allisha Gray.
With this deal, the Dream again will have two first-round picks, along with the No. 15 selection, which is in the second round. Atlanta traded to get the No. 1 pick last year and took Kentucky Wildcats guard Rhyne Howard, who was the 2022 Rookie of the Year.
Hayes played from 2008 to 2012 at UConn, winning championships on undefeated teams in 2009 and 2010. She surprisingly wasn't a first-round pick in the 2012 WNBA draft, taken by the Dream at No. 14 overall in the second round. But her WNBA career has lasted much longer than several players drafted ahead of her.
She has played 10 seasons in Atlanta -- she sat out the 2020 season, which was in the COVID-19 bubble in Bradenton, Florida -- and has averaged 13.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. She has appeared in the playoffs five times with the Dream, including in 2013 when Atlanta fell in the WNBA Finals to Minnesota.
"We're super excited to add Tiffany to our roster," Sun general manager, Darius Taylor said. "Tiffany is a two-way played that can score at all three levels, and her ability and experience will be welcomed. Tiffany has personified our 'grit don't quit' mentality her entire career, and we look forward to her being a part of our organization."
Hayes finishes her time in Atlanta as the Dream's all-time leader in 3-pointers and their second-leading scorer behind former star Angel McCoughtry.
"We want to thank Tip for everything she has done for this franchise over the last 11 years, and we wish her nothing but the best in Connecticut," Atlanta general manager Dan Padover. "She has cemented herself as one of the most decorated and successful players in Dream history, and we are forever grateful for the competitiveness and enthusiasm she always brought to the court."
Connecticut had obtained the No. 6 pick in the draft in a three-team deal in January with New York and Dallas that sent 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones from the Sun to the Liberty.