By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Storm GM Talisa Rhea and HC Noelle Quinn speak for the first time since the Jewell Loyd trade

Seattle Storm general manager Talisa Rhea and head coach Noelle Quinn held their first meeting with the media since the Jewell Loyd trade. Loyd accused the team’s coaching staff of bullying and harassment. The Storm hired an outside legal firm to investigate the allegations.  The firm found no workplace violations by the Storm.

 Immediately after the finding, Loyd requested a trade, which the Storm obliged. Loyd was traded to the Las Vegas Aces in a three-team trade that included the Los Angeles Sparks. The Storm also received the second overall pick in the upcoming WNBA draft and  Chinese international forward Li Yueru.


”I can say that she  meant a lot to this organization. She built a lot with us here,” said Rhea. “ Noel and I have been a part of a couple of championships with Jewell. This is not to take away anything that Jewel did during her time here with Seattle, and we were very appreciative of that and will continue to be. Um, and we’re excited with how the roster has moved forward and excited for this year and what we were able to do with that trade.”

WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT IN THE RELATIONSHIP?

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind was what happened between Loyd and the organization and if there was one defying moment before the relationship unraveled.

 I don’t think you can pinpoint one thing, you know, I feel like we’ve had a very strong relationship with jewel and being able to be transparent and open in our communication and, you know, as last season went on and into this off season, we wanted to do what we felt like was best for our organization and for Jewel.”

MOVING FORWARD

Since the trade, the Storm has been busy rebuilding its roster. With starters Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor in the fold, Rhea and her staff re-signed Nneka Ogwumike Gabby Williams and brought back former fan favorite Alysha Clark. Jordan Horston’s season-ending ACL injury to her left knee has been the most significant setback for the Storm.

MAJOR SET BACK FOR A PROMISING PLAYER

 A day after Horston’s injury, the team continued its roster rebuild with the addition of 2019 All-Star Game MVP  Erica Wheeler, who spent the last two seasons with the Indiana Fever. Rookie forward Mackenzie Holmes was the next player to sign, followed by guard Zia Cooke and forward  Brianna Fraser. Fraser plays for the Turkish side Galatasaray with Yueru. Last Friday, the team acquired guard Lexie Brown and a third-round 2025 pick from the Los Angeles Sparks and sent the Sparks their second-round picks in 2025 and 2027.

LESSON LEARNED

As  Rhea and Quinn move forward, there is a lesson learned in the split with  Loyd.  While it was not said, there was an implication that winning teams are built around players who put their teammates and the organization before themselves. A selfless mindset is something a team can create a solid and winning foundation on.

“ This entire offseason and it’s been very clear through our free agency conversations that players do want to be here. They believe in what we’re building here in Seattle. 
They want to play well. The groups we have here is totally bought into that”, said Rhea.

LEADING WITH INTEGRITY

With the hurtful allegations in the past and the Storm organization backing her all the way, Quinn is empowered to lead the team with integrity and excellence.

 “ We have built a tremendous roster players who want to come and play for me, my staff, want to be a part of this organization.  It shows the fans everything they need to know about myself and what we’re building around Seattle,” added Quinn. “This is a top notch  organization, an organization that stands for excellence and integrity.  I   will lead in that way and I want to continue to exemplify that as well. “

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One Reply to “Storm GM Talisa Rhea and HC Noelle Quinn speak for the first time since the Jewell Loyd trade”

  1. Leroy Chatman says: Reply

    Still did not give a fact base reason for the allegations. The city of Seattle deserves clear answers as to why those issues developed.

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