Storm Center Li Yueru Requests Trade, WNBA Responds to Cursing Allegation vs. Aces
Seattle Storm center Li Yueru has requested a trade from the team after she’s remained largely in a backup role through eight games. Credit: John Mac
One day after snapping a three-game losing streak with a six-point victory over the Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm center Li Yueru requested a trade from the team on Wednesday, per multiple sources. Additionally, despite multiple reports about the WNBA investigating the franchise’s coaching staff, there is no league investigation involving the Storm, per ESPN’s Michael Voepel and Alexa Philippou.
Shortly after Yueru’s trade was reported, iHeartRadio women’s basketball reporter Khristina Williams reported there is “currently an investigation being launched into the Seattle Storm coaching staff by the WNBA and league security.”
However, according to a subsequent report from ESPN, the reported investigation was the WNBA’s response to an allegation that a Storm assistant coach “cursed at a Las Vegas Aces player” following Seattle’s 75-70 loss to the Aces on Sunday, June 1. The Storm are not currently under investigation, but it’s also unclear “who made the allegation or whom it was against,” per ESPN.
The Storm previously conducted an external investigation of head coach Noelle Quinn and the team’s coaching staff in November 2024. That investigation, which concluded in early December, was initiated by former Storm star Jewell Loyd — now on the Aces — after accusing the staff of harassment and bullying. The key difference in that instance, however, was that the team began the external investigation instead of the WNBA.
The November investigation discovered “no findings of policy violations or any discrimination, harassment, or bullying,” per an ESPN report.
Yueru’s trade request was reportedly due to “pressure from the Chinese national team” after she decided she wouldn’t be participating in the Asia Cup due to her commitment to the Storm, per Beta Basket national and international WNBA reporter Roberta F. Rodrigues. The Chinese national team expected her to have more than a backup role in Seattle, according to Rodrigues, but that hasn’t been the case through the Storm’s first eight games.
In a crowded frontcourt, Yueru is averaging 2.9 points (30 percent shooting), 1.6 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 9.1 minutes per game. That’s a significant decrease from Yueru’s production with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2024, where she averaged 5.1 points (46 percent shooting), 3.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 14.4 minutes per game.
Yueru has been outshone in recent games by rookie No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga, who is averaging similar minutes (8.8) but is converting nearly 57 percent of her shots and scoring 4.3 points per game. Malonga has also pulled down 1.8 rebounds per game.
Currently, per Rodrigues, it appears Yueru’s trade request is solely related to time on the court. As a 6-foot-7 center, the Storm should have no problem finding a trade suitor with a post-needy team.
Seattle originally acquired the rights to Yueru in the three-team offseason trade that sent Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces. The Storm signed Yueru on Feb. 1, and she looked primed to play a big role after a stellar preseason performance against the Connecticut Sun (15 points and 10 rebounds in 19 minutes).
Currently 4-4 overall, the Storm have an extended mid-week break ahead of their third matchup with the Phoenix Mercury on the road on Saturday, June 7.
