Storm Trade Li Yueru to Wings For Draft Compensation
The Seattle Storm traded center Li Yueru to the Dallas Wings on Saturday, 10 days after she initially requested a trade. Credit: John Mac
The Seattle Storm dealt disgruntled center Li Yueru to the Dallas Wings on Saturday for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick, the team announced. The move comes 10 days after Yueru initially requested a trade due to her lack of time on the court so far this season.
Dallas was in desperate need of post help, with centers Luisa Geiselsöder and Teaira McCowan competing in EuroBasket and expected to be away from the team until at least the beginning of July. The Wings’ coaching staff got an up-close look at Yueru in the pair of games against the Storm this season, and she combined for six points (2 for 8 FG), three rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes through those two contests.
“I just want to play,” Li said last week, per ESPN. “I came to America only for one reason — just that I want to play basketball … I’d love to stay here because I feel so happy every day, whenever I come to practice or go to the gym.”
Yueru was left on the bench in the Storm’s 94-84 win over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday — the first time this season she hasn’t stepped on the court at all. She concludes her nine-game Seattle career averaging 2.8 points (30 percent shooting), 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 8.7 minutes per game.
The Storm originally acquired Yueru in the three-team trade that sent Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces. In addition to Yueru, Seattle acquired the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, which was later used to select forward Dominique Malonga. Yueru appeared primed to have a big role this season after logging 15 points, 10 rebounds and a steal in Seattle’s lone preseason games against the Connecticut Sun. However, it didn’t pan out that way.
Yueru’s request was also reportedly pressured by the Chinese federation wanting her to have more playing time if she was to remain in the WNBA, per ESPN.
Seattle now has just nine active players on the roster, with Katie Lou Samuelson out for the season due to a knee injury. The Storm have run an eight-player rotation frequently this season, so it isn’t a huge concern, but the front office is likely already looking to bring in extra help.
The trade comes on the same day the Storm are set to visit the Golden State Valkyries for the first time in franchise history at 5:30 p.m. PST on Saturday. Seattle is riding a three-game winning streak into the contest after its statement win over Minnesota.
