The Phoenix Mercury guard believed that the Mystics effectively fired her last offseason. Washington’s front office doesn’t see things that way, however.
The Washington Mystics lost to the Phoenix Mercury 83-80 last night. It was now Mercury guard Natasha Cloud’s first chance to play against her old team, where she scored 14 points and dished 10 assists in the win.
After the game, Cloud spoke to the media, where she gave more insight into why she didn’t re-sign with Washington. It was because Washington decided to move on without her before the free agency period. Ultimately, Cloud felt like the Mystics fired her.
“To give eight years to an organization and to be fired on an off-day is kinda crazy, coming off a vacation too, so that was not fun,” Mercury guard Natasha Cloud said after beating her old team, the Washington Mystics. #WNBA #WNBATwitter #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/BndVOZ9I5g
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 24, 2024
The Mystics don’t see eye-to-eye with her on the exact circumstances of last offseason. According to Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post, General Manager Mike Thibault wanted to let free agency play out when Cloud determined that she wanted to explore her options in unrestricted free agency.
Also, Copeland wrote that Cloud felt like she was portrayed as a villain, perhaps because of her passionate demeanor. But the Mystics disagree that she was. Either way, there was friction toward the end of Cloud’s time in Washington.
When this situation unfolded, it could explain why the Mystics decided to core Elena Delle Donne, though she ultimately decided not to play this season.
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