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2x WNBA champ Jewell Loyd makes major decision on future amid Storm coaches investigation: Report
Jewell Loyd was at the center of allegations involving harassment and bullying against Seattle Storm coaches. She reportedly complained to team executives about how players were treated during the Storm’s 2024 campaign. The complaints prompted the team to hire a legal firm to conduct an extensive investigation that ended without anyone being named guilty of an infraction.
On Wednesday, the Chicago Sun-Times, which has covered the Storm’s tumultuous offseason reported:
“Two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd has requested out of Seattle, sources close to the star told the Sun-Times on Wednesday. … Loyd’s future in Seattle was contingent upon a belief that relationships within the organization could be mended.”
The Seattle Storm began investigating the coaches in mid-November following Jewell Loyd’s detailed complaints. Seattle’s coaching staff includes Noelle Quinn, who guided the team in her fourth straight season as head coach. Ebony Hoffman, Pokey Chatman and Perry Huang were Quinn’s assistants in 2024.
Loyd’s request to be traded is the latest development in the Storm’s controversial offseason.
Jewell Loyd’s trade request signals the start of a roster revamp in Seattle
The Seattle Storm didn’t want Jewell Loyd to test free agency following the 2024 season, so they offered her a supermax deal. Loyd agreed to sign a two-year, $491K extension in September.
Extending Loyd had other implications for the roster. The Storm also wanted to keep Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike, who joined the team to play with the six-time WNBA All-Star.
Loyd’s trade request makes it tough for Seattle to re-sign Ogwumike and keep Diggins-Smith, who has one year left in her deal.
Ogwumike becomes an unrestricted free agent in January. The 2016 MVP could sign for any team she wants to play for. Loyd's desire to get out of the Storm likely prompts her to stay out of Seattle.
Diggins-Smith, reportedly one of Loyd’s closest friends, will become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season. The Storm risk losing her for nothing if they don’t trade her now that Loyd has requested a change of scenery.
Mercedes Russell, Gabby Williams and Sami Whitcomb, players with crucial roles with the Storm, will become unrestricted free agents in January. With Jewell Loyd, who has been with the franchise since 2015 forcing her way out, getting them back is a long shot.
The Loyd trade request signals the start of a roster overhaul in Seattle.
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