Caitlin Clark loved the roster she had assembled for the WNBA All-Star Game.
The coaching situation, though, was one other story.
In a move that was as shocking because it was unclear if it was technically allowed, Clark traded Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve to Team Collier for Liberty coach Sandy Brondello.
Reeve was alleged to coach Team Clark within the July 19 showcase before Napheesa Collier and Clark agreed to the coach swap and revealed it in the course of the WNBA All-Star draft that was airing on ESPN’s pregame show before the Liberty faced the Aces.
“I don’t know if that is in the principles, I don’t really care, but I believe we already discussed we’re going to trade coaches,” Clark said. [Collier] goes to take her coach. Sandy Brondello, let’s get it. It’s going to be amazing. Sorry WNBA if that’s not within the rule. Sorry, ESPN, if that’s not within the rule, but we just made it a rule.
“Sandy Brondello, come on over. You’ll be able to coach Sabrina [Ionescu]. Possibly [Breanna Stewart] wants to return over to my team.”
Clark continued to jokingly prod Collier to “let her know” if she desired to allow the Liberty star to affix Team Clark.
Collier plays under Reeve for the Lynx, so the swap allows her to play for her within the All-Star Game as well.
The trade is notable not just for its unprecedented nature but additionally due to perception around Reeve and her comments regarding Clark.
Reeve had seemingly taken a swipe on social media when the WNBA promoted a preseason game being televised featuring Clark and the Fever in 2024.
The Lynx coach re-shared the WNBA post on X and mentioned that Minnesota was also playing the Sky that night and included the hashtags #theWismmorethanoneplayer and #12teams.
She then responded to a fan comment that it was “Because they only care about Caitlin,” to which the coach replied, “That part.”
Reeve was also the top coach of the U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team and took a whole lot of flak for Clark’s snub from the Olympic roster.
