WNBA’s Mercury pick up veteran Kara Braxton as struggling Shock continue overhaul

Mercury pick up Braxton as Shock continue overhaul

TULSA, Okla. — The last-place Tulsa Shock have traded veteran center Kara Braxton to the defending WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury.

The Shock also received reserve Nicole Ohlde and a first-round pick in next year’s draft as part of Friday’s trade.

Braxton was one of only two players left on the Shock roster who played with the franchise in Detroit last season. Only Alexis Hornbuckle is left now.

Braxton was averaging 9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds and scored a team-high 18 points in Tulsa’s 123-91 loss to Phoenix on Thursday. Ohlde has averaged 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds over her six-year career but only three points and about two rebounds this season in a reserve role for Phoenix.