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Storm fans react to Jewell Lloyd requesting trade out of Seattle: "Hope SDS and Nneka enjoy the “bully-free” environment"
After 10 seasons in Seattle, Jewell Lloyd could soon be donning a different jersey.
Lloyd, a six-time All-Star, handed in a trade request to the Seattle Storm hours after news broke that the internal investigation into alleged harassment and bullying within the team found no violations from the coaching staff.
According to Annie Costabile of the Chicago Sun-Times, Loyd's future in Seattle was contingent upon the belief that relationships within the organization could be mended.
Fans were quick to spot the correlation between the two events and reacted as follows.
"Wishing Jewell the best. I hope SDS (Skylar Diggins-Smith) and Nneka (Ogwumike) enjoy the 'bully-free' environment in Seattle," one fan reacted.
Other fans called out Seattle and wished the best for the future of its stars.
"The same day they announce their investigation didn’t find anything? Hmmmm," a fan said.
"Nasty organization," another fan said.
"Jewell how about you stay and let Skylar go elsewhere," another fan said.
"I'm sad but not shocked," another fan expressed.
"If Seattle knows what best for them they better work it out with Jewell," another fan said.
The Storm front office had indicated that the results of the investigation would help the team come together, but Jewell Loyd's immediate decision to request a trade suggests it had an undesired effect on the star guard.
What are the implications of Jewell Lloyd's trade request?
The "Gold Mamba" has been one of the WNBA's most consistently excellent stars, with championship pedigree and years of experience. She signed a two-year supermax deal in September 2023 that attracted stars Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith to the Emerald City.
Despite this, the collective underperformed, with Jewell Lloyd having her most inefficient shooting season yet, averaging 19.7 points on 36% shooting, including 27.4% from 3.
Upon her trade request, Jewell Loyd immediately became one of the premier players available in the offseason, alongside free agents Gabby Williams and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
The Seattle Storm are facing an uncertain future, and they will also have to give up one of their unprotected players to the Golden State Valkyries in the upcoming expansion draft.
Jewell Lloyd has long been linked with the Chicago Sky as a potential target and playmaker for their budding star Angel Reese. If Loyd chooses not to return to Seattle after her contract expires, she will join a free-agent class that includes Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Plum.
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