Sparks get McWilliams-Franklin from Sun for De Souza, draft pick

The Connecticut Sun traded starting forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin to the Sparks on Wednesday for the rights to center Erika De Souza and the 12th pick in this year’s college draft.

The Sparks announced they signed McWilliams-Franklin to a multiyear contract.

A five-time All-Star, the 6-foot-2 McWilliams-Franklin has averaged 12.4 points and 7.5 rebounds during her eight-year career. She had been with the franchise since its inception as the Orlando Miracle. She was the 32nd pick in the 1999 draft by Orlando, after having played three years in the now-defunct American Basketball League.

The 6-foot-5 De Souza is averaging 6.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and about 13 minutes for Ros Casares in the FIBA Euroleague. The Brazilian was the Spanish League’s player of the year last season and led Universitat de Barcelona to the finals. She played for the Sparks in 2002.

Sun Coach Mike Thibault said the trade would be good for McWilliams-Franklin’s family because one of her daughters will be in school in Arizona.

The Sun also announced that it has signed Kristen Rasmussen from the Phoenix Mercury to a three-year contract.