The Sun gave Thomas the core designation earlier in January, meaning the only way for Thomas to be moved was via a sign-and-trade

The Mercury are finalizing a trade to acquire five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas from the Sun, sources told ESPN.

Things are heating up in Phoenix after the Mercury acquired 5-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas in a trade with the Connecticut Sun, per reports.

I hope you’re sitting because the massive free agency deals aren’t slowing down. First, Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd were traded, and now five-time WNBA All-Star Alyss Thomas is on the move. Thomas is reportedly joining the Phoenix Mercury via trade, the second landscape-shifting move in less than a week.

The WNBA offseason continues to heat up! Just two days after the blockbuster Jewell Loyd-Kelsey Plum deal, another All-Star is on the move. The Connecticut Sun

Amid a flurry of trades across the WNBA, the Indiana Fever re-signed All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year supermax contract worth around $249,000. Sometimes an evaluation doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. Fever executives entered this offseason with the top priority of re-signing two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Mission accomplished.

Thomas was designated as the team’s franchise player earlier this month, meaning the only way she could sign with another team was via trade. The move can't become official until Feb. 1.

The Phoenix Mercury are making a splash in the offseason by finalizing a trade to bring in five-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas and guard Ty Harris from the Connecticut Sun, ESPN first reported on Tuesday. According to Howard Megdal of The Next, point guard Natasha Cloud, wing Rebecca Allen, and the No. 12 pick will be sent to Connecticut.

The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a trade to acquire five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun, ESPN's Alexa Philippou reports. Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the No. 12 pick in the draft will go to Connecticut, while Ty Harris will join Thomas in Phoenix, per Philippou.

It’s the end of an era for Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas. Per ESPN ‘s Alexa Philippou, the Phoenix Mercury are reportedly acquiring the 11-year veteran via the second blockbuster WNBA trade in less than a week.

The Phoenix Mercury are set to acquire five-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas in a trade with the Connecticut Sun, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.