The Phoenix Mercury won their first championship in 2007, and before that season, they added a veteran. The Mercury acquired Tangela Smith, and they did something surprising to make it happen. Phoenix had the first pick of that year’s draft, and the franchise selected a guard out of Duke. The Mercury drafted Lindsey Harding, and rather than hold onto her, they traded her to the Minnesota Lynx. They received Smith in return. The Lynx picked up the veteran big after the Charlotte Sting folded. Smith played with the Sting for two seasons, then once they dissolved, Minnesota added her through a dispersal draft. Before that, she played for the Sacramento Monarchs, and she had the best season of her career with them. When she came to Phoenix, she made an immediate impact. She averaged 12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals. In her years with the Mercury, she made multiple franchise list. For example, she is 10th on the points list, and she had 1,355 points in her time with the team. Smit
