The Dream traded Shoni Schimmel to New York for a second-round pick in next year’s draft, the WNBA team announced on Monday.
Schimmel had recently been the subject of criticism from Atlanta coach Michael Cooper after showing up to training camp out of condition for the second consecutive year.
Cooper said that Schimmel’s conditioning had nothing to do with her being traded. Instead, he said the trade was made because of the direction the team is moving.
“Way we are being structured and want go, anybody could have been traded,” Cooper said. “This was only about dynamics on the team. We wanted to put something on the floor that the fans can appreciate, that will play with a high energy on offense and defense.”
Schimmel was an All-Star in her first two years after being selected by the Dream in the first round of the 2014 draft. She averaged 8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Schimmel, popular with fans and on social media, was going to be moved from point to shooting guard this season. The Dream is deep at both positions this season with Tiffany Hayes at shooting guard, as well as two recent picks in the draft.
“We liked Shoni, appreciate everything she did, hopefully we helped make her a better pro,” Cooper said. “But sometimes trades like that aren’t favorable with fans. But we are moving in the right direction. We are assembling a team that can compete at every level for a championship. We only wish Shoni the best.”
The Dream will open the preseason on Wednesday against San Antonio on May 4 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn..
The Dream will play Chicago in a preseason matchup on May 5 at Mohegan Sun and then Los Angeles at Pasadena Junior College on Saturday.
