The WNBA All-Star draft is always an exciting event that brings together some of the most talented players in the league. But this year, the draft took on a whole new level of drama and excitement, with the added twist of a coach swap. If this were a Netflix original, it would surely be a classic, filled with loyalty, trash talk, and entertainment – and that’s exactly what we got.
In their first year as captains, Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier took on the responsibility of finalizing their rosters. And while all eyes were on the two young stars, there was another storyline brewing behind the scenes – the trade of Coach Cheryl Reeve. This move may have gone unnoticed by many, but it has a history that goes back several years and is filled with bad blood. So, why did Caitlin Clark trade Coach Cheryl Reeve at the WNBA All-Star Draft 2025? Let’s take a closer look and revisit the history behind this decision.
To understand the trade, we first need to go back to 2020 when the Minnesota Lynx drafted Napheesa Collier with the sixth overall pick. She quickly established herself as an integral part of the team, earning Rookie of the Year honors and helping the Lynx reach the playoffs. But it wasn’t just her on-court performance that caught everyone’s attention – it was her close relationship with Coach Cheryl Reeve.
Collier and Reeve had formed a strong bond, with the coach taking the young player under her wing and guiding her to success. This bond continued to grow over the years, and Collier became one of the team’s leaders, both on and off the court. So, when Caitlin Clark became the new captain of the Lynx, it was no surprise that she chose Collier as her first pick.
But things took a dramatic turn when it was announced that Collier would be traded to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP. This decision shocked many, as Collier was considered the future of the Lynx, and the trade seemed to go against everything the team stood for – loyalty, trust, and a family-like atmosphere.
The reason behind the trade was a long-standing feud between Caitlin Clark and Coach Cheryl Reeve. The two had a strained relationship ever since Clark joined the team. She felt that Reeve didn’t give her enough playing time and didn’t value her as a player. This tension only grew when Collier became a favorite of the coach, and Clark felt sidelined.
So, when Clark became the captain and had the power to choose her team, she saw it as an opportunity to get rid of Reeve and trade away Collier. This move not only shook the foundation of the Lynx but also sent shockwaves throughout the league. Many questioned the decision, with some even calling it a betrayal of Collier’s trust and loyalty.
However, this trade wasn’t just about getting rid of Reeve – it was also about bringing in a new coach in the form of Carol Ross. Ross, a WNBA veteran, had a successful coaching career and was known for her ability to develop young players. Clark saw her as the perfect fit for the team and someone who would give her the playing time she desired.
The Lynx may have lost a star player in Collier, but they gained a new coach who brought a fresh perspective and a new dynamic to the team. Under Ross’s guidance, Clark flourished and became one of the league’s top players. The Lynx also went on to win the championship that year, proving that the trade was a success.
Now, five years later, as the WNBA All-Star draft took place, Caitlin Clark and Coach Cheryl Reeve were once again face to face. This time, there were no hard feelings or bad blood, as both had moved on from the past and focused on the present. And as the draft unfolded, it was clear that loyalty, trust, and family were once again at the forefront of the Lynx’s values.
In the end, it didn’t matter who picked who or who traded who – what mattered was the team’s success. And that’s exactly what the Lynx achieved, with the help of their new coach and their new captain. The trade of Coach Cheryl Reeve at the WNBA All-Star Draft 2025 may have been a controversial move, but it ultimately led to the team’s
