Mercury sign Sparks’ Sims to an offer sheet

The Phoenix Mercury made a bold move on the first day of WNBA free agency Friday, signing restricted free agent guard Odyssey Sims to a threeyear offer sheet.

The 5-foot-8 Sims is a five-year WNBA veteran currently with the Los Angels Sparks, who have four days to match the offer (reported to be for a maximum salary of roughly $115,00) or lose Sims.

Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said earlier this week that he expected the Mercury to focus keeping their 2018 core together but was looking for a chance to upgrade the roster.

Phoenix reached the WNBA semifinals last year, losing in Game 5 of a bestof-five to eventual champion Seattle.

The Mercury, as expected, re-signed guard Briann January to a multi-year contract on Friday. January started last season, her first in Phoenix, averaging 7.7 points and 3.3 assists. She also is an assistant coach at Arizona State, her alma mater.

“Outside of superstars, the most important player in basketball today is the three-and-D player, and Briann January is as good as it gets in that regard,” Pitman said. “She demonstrated last season that she is the best individual perimeter defender in the WNBA, and on the offensive end led the league in three-point percentage as a perfect complement to our big three of Taurasi, Griner and (DeWanna) Bonner. All Bri wants to do is win and she is exactly the type of player we want in Phoenix.”

January led the WNBA in 3-point shooting percentage (47.0) for the second time in her 11-year career and was important on perimeter defense, often guarding the opponent's leading scorer.

While leading the league in threepoint percentage, the former Arizona State standout shot 42.3 percent from the field, the second best mark in her career (42.6 percent in 2015).

Also re-signing with the Mercury Friday was guard Yvonne Turner. The 510 Turner spent both of per professional seasons in Phoenix and has contributed off the bench.

She has averaged 4.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while playing in 66 games.

With Diana Taurasi, already signed for 2019, January and possibly Sims, the Mercury are loaded at guard. Leilani Mitchell also is under contract.

Sims played with Tulsa/now Dallas from 2014-16 and with the Sparks in 2017-18. She started 14 games in 2017 and 24 in 2018. Her career averages are 12.8 points and 3.6 assists.