Susan O'Malley on trading Holdsclaw: "When she asked us to consider trading her for a fresh start, we felt it was best for everyone to honor that request."

Mique's agent, Lon Babby: "After we analyzed the situation we concluded that it was probably best for both sides that we turn the page and give her a chance to start fresh somewhere else. She is excited at the prospect of competing on a team that has an absolutely legitimate chance to win championships and has won championships before."

Coach Summitt: "She felt a change would be positive for her and allow her to move on. She has been open about what she went through last year. If she feels it's time for a change, we feel it's time for a change for us. We have to look at who wants to be with us."

Pilight says that "this could be the worst trade in the history of the WNBA."

Yeah, as great as Milton-Jones is, the talent imbalance in this deal is large. DeLisha is an All-Star if healthy, but Holdsclaw may be the most talented basketball player on the planet.

The problem with trading someone like Mique is that it's nearly impossible to get equal value in return. You can't get Leslie, Jackson, Bird, Smith, Taurasi, or Catchings -- their teams just wouldn't give them up. So you get what you can. The Mystics were in a tough spot, forced into a tough trade.

The Sparks were the beneficiaries. And now they're just plain scary.