Thomas was designated as the team’s franchise player earlier this month, meaning the only way she could sign with another team was via trade. The move can't become official until Feb. 1.

Things are heating up in Phoenix after the Mercury acquired 5-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas in a trade with the Connecticut Sun, per reports.

The Connecticut Sun are finalizing a sign-and-trade to acquire star forward Alyssa Thomas from the Phoenix Mercury, ESPN's Alexa Philippou reported