Stewart exchanges for Bird in WNBA All-Star Draft

Breanna Stewart exchanged with Seattle teammate Sue Bird at the WNBA All-Star Draft on Saturday.

Bird was scheduled to become co-captain with A’ja Wilson before Stewart withdrew his contract to buy Bird for Sylvia Fowles. Bird and Fowles will retire at the end of the season and have been appointed co-captains of Stewart and Wilson.

“We can do legends for legends. Yes, I see. I’m fine with that,” Wilson said. “I feel good about it. I’m on track. That was a good thing.”

Bird will play in her record 13th All-Star Game in Chicago on July 10th. Fowles will be her eighth.

Stewart also acquired Neka Ogmiche for Sabrina Ionescu in another deal with Wilson.

Wilson had the first pick in the draft and chose Candace Parker to play in front of her home fans. The Las Vegas star chose Ace’s teammate Kelsey Plum for the second pick. Stewart drafted Jakelin Young, the third Las Vegas starter, on the first pick and John Kell Jones on the second pick.

Stewart had his first pick in the reserve round and chose Seattle teammate Jewell Loyd. Stewart also drafted Kahleah Copper, Skylar Diggins Smith, Alyssa Thomas, Arike Ogunboire, and Emma Meesseman.

Wilson chose rookie Rheinhoward for her first pick in the All-Star Reserve. Howard is the only newcomer to the game. Later, the co-captain chose Ace’s teammate Delica Humvee. Wilson also drafted Courtney Vandersroot, Ariel Atkins, Briona Jones, and Natasha Howard.

WNBA switched to team captain format in 2018.

Ionescu, Plum, Howard and Young will play in the first All-Star game.