Apparently, there’s a storm brewing in Seattle! WNBA All-Star guard Jewell Loyd has been one the WNBA’s finest talents. She’s a Six-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic champion. Loyd is from Lincolnwood and starred at Niles West in Skokie and at Notre Dame. Up to this point, she has played her entire career in Seattle and helped the Storm win two WNBA championships since they drafted her with the No. 1 pick in 2015.
But yesterday, it was reported that she had requested a trade from the Seattle Storm, a move that has sparked significant attention around the league. The news, first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, came just hours after the Storm released the findings of an external investigation into allegations of workplace policy violations, specifically harassment and bullying within the team. The investigation, which had been a source of tension, concluded without any violations being found against the coaching staff. It should be noted that the Storm hired outside counsel to investigate the allegations upon receiving notice of the complaints.
“No findings of policy violations or any discrimination, harassment or bullying,” a team statement said. “To protect the integrity of the process, and to preserve confidentiality, we chose not to comment while the investigation was ongoing. The Storm will continue to provide a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect.”
Loyd’s trade request adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as it suggests there may be underlying issues beyond the official investigation’s findings. While the investigation cleared the coaching staff of wrongdoing, Loyd’s decision to request a trade could indicate personal or professional dissatisfaction that goes beyond the specific allegations of harassment. This development could signal tensions within the team or a desire for a change in environment, particularly as Loyd is one of the franchise’s most prominent players and a key figure in their success.
A few interesting facts: The 31-year-old guard has played under coach Noelle Quinn for the past three seasons, after the two were teammates from 2016 to 2018. Last offseason, the Storm made a major move in free agency, signing Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Despite these high-profile additions, the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Las Vegas Aces. Lloyd averaged 19.7 points this past season, but the 36.0% shooting percentage was the worst of her career, and her 3-point performance at 27.4% the second lowest.
The timing of Loyd’s trade request also raises questions about the potential impact on the Storm’s future. As one of the league’s brightest stars, her departure would be a significant blow to the team, both on the court and in terms of leadership. It also highlights the unspoken broader challenges teams in professional sports face when navigating internal issues, including how to balance player satisfaction with organizational dynamics. With Loyd’s trade request now public, the Storm are faced with a delicate situation, one that could affect their roster and direction moving forward.