Minnesota Lynx acquire Danielle Robinson from Phoenix Mercury

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Danielle Robinson
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Danielle Robinson /
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The Minnesota Lynx have acquired point guard Danielle Robinson from the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for Minnesota’s 2018 first round pick.

The Lynx also received a 2019 second round pick from the Mercury in the trade.

After contributing to the Mercury’s run to the semifinals in the 2017 playoffs, Robinson finds herself in another winning situation with the defending champion Lynx.

With Renee Montgomery’s decision to sign with the Atlanta Dream this offseason as an unrestricted free agent, Minnesota projects to have plenty of playing time in the backcourt behind starting point guard Lindsay Whalen, who has averaged fewer than 25 minutes per game in each of the past two seasons.

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Minnesota head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said the following in a team release on the deal:

"We are excited to welcome Danielle Robinson to the Minnesota Lynx family. Her ability to push the pace, collapse opposing defenses, and create quality opportunities for her teammates, makes her one of the most unique players in our league. Her combination of exceptional quickness and great instincts also makes her disruptive on the defensive end. Most importantly, Danielle has earned the reputation of being a tremendous teammate and exceptional member of any community she has served."

Robinson is a three-time WNBA All-Star and three-time All-Defense selection. She was drafted by the San Antonio Stars with the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft out of Oklahoma. Robinson missed the entire 2016 WNBA season due to an Achilles injury. She was dealt to the Mercury last offseason in exchange for Isabelle Harrison and the fifth overall pick in the 2017 draft.

This trade was the first of two deals on Tuesday involving the Mercury and veteran point guards. The Mercury acquired Briann January from the Indiana Fever in exchange for their 2018 first round pick.

Robinson started 29 games last season for Phoenix. She transition to a backup role late in the season behind Leilani Mitchell and appeared in all five of the team’s playoff games. Robinson will turn 29 this May.