The Toronto Tempo acquired forward Aneesah Morrow from the Connecticut Sun on Friday in exchange for a 2028 second-round draft pick and the rights to Maria Kliundikova. The WNBA trade deadline deal brings an elite college rebounding leader to a Toronto frontcourt aiming to snap a five-game losing streak.
The Toronto Tempo have made their move ahead of the WNBA trade deadline, acquiring forward Aneesah Morrow from the Connecticut Sun on Friday, the teams announced. In exchange for the 23-year-old second-year standout, Toronto sent the Sun a 2028 second-round pick along with the rights to forward Maria Kliundikova.
The trade arrives as both franchises sit outside the WNBA playoff picture. The Tempo carry a 10-18 record, while the Sun sit at 7-22. Yet the stakes extend well beyond the current standings, capturing contrasting organizational directions as the league’s trade window winds down.
Toronto Adds Frontcourt Rebounding Power in Aneesah Morrow
For Toronto, the addition of Morrow addresses an acute roster need. The expansion franchise has struggled on the glass, averaging just 31.1 boards per contest to rank as the third-worst rebounding team in the WNBA. Those numbers drop further to 28.8 rebounds per game in losses. General manager Monica Wright Rogers emphasized the team’s need for interior help when announcing the deal.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Aneesah to our organization, She’s a relentless competitor who impacts the game in so many ways, particularly with her ability to rebound at a high level. We believe she’s one of the emerging frontcourt talents in this league, and we’re excited to see her play in a Tempo uniform.”
BREAKING: Toronto Tempo Acquire Aneesah Morrow From Connecticut Sun | Instant Trade Reaction!
Monica Wright Rogers, Tempo general manager, via team statement
Morrow brings a proven collegiate and professional pedigree on the glass. During her time at DePaul, she led the country in rebounding during the 2021-22 season before capturing the NCAA Division-I rebounding crown again as a senior at LSU, according to detailed program records. In her rookie WNBA campaign after being selected seventh overall in the 2025 draft, she led the league in defensive rebounding percentage at 31.9 per cent.
That production has climbed during her second professional season. Across 20 appearances with Connecticut, Morrow has posted 11.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, improving significantly from her rookie averages of 7.7 points and 6.9 boards. Her shooting efficiency has also ticked upward, rising from a 37.5% clip from the field last year to 42.1% this season, alongside an improved 28.4% mark from beyond the arc.
Connecticut Sun Reshape Roster Amid Relocation and Rebuild
The trade signals a clear pivot for the Connecticut franchise. The 2026 campaign will be the team’s final season in Connecticut before relocating to Houston, where the franchise will rebrand as the Houston Comets under the ownership of Tilman Fertitta. Front-office decision-makers have signaled a strong desire to accumulate assets and build a winner ahead of the move to the new market.
Connecticut previously turned down a Tempo trade offer earlier in the season that involved a first-round pick in exchange for Aaliyah Edwards. By parting with Morrow instead, the Sun secure a future draft asset in Toronto’s 2028 second-round pick and acquire Maria Kliundikova.
Kliundikova, a Russian center drafted 11th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2018, spent last season with the Minnesota Lynx, where she averaged 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds across 34 appearances. The Tempo had originally selected her in April’s expansion draft, though she never appeared in a game for Toronto before her rights were shipped to Connecticut.
Roster Shuffles and What Lies Ahead for Both Clubs
To accommodate the trade within league roster limits, the Tempo waived guard Tima Pouye. The French native had appeared in 19 of Toronto’s 28 games this season, making one start while averaging 3.2 points and 1.2 assists in 9.4 minutes per night.
