Things are heating up in Phoenix after the Mercury acquired 5-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas in a trade with the Connecticut Sun, per reports.

Thomas was designated as the team’s franchise player earlier this month, meaning the only way she could sign with another team was via trade. The move can't become official until Feb. 1.

The Sun gave Thomas the core designation earlier in January, meaning the only way for Thomas to be moved was via a sign-and-trade