Report: Storm's Loyd requests trade after coaches cleared in bullying probe

Star guard Jewell Loyd requested a trade from the Seattle Storm, sources told The Chicago Sun-Times' Anna Costabile.

Loyd's request comes hours after Seattle announced that an investigation into the coaching staff regarding alleged player mistreatment turned up "no findings of policy violations or any discrimination, harassment, or bullying," according to ESPN's Kevin Pelton.

The former Rookie of the Year and two-time WNBA champion had filed a complaint against the staff and was heavily involved in the investigation, according to Costabile.

It was reported Nov. 15 that there were allegations of players being bullied and harassed in practices and games over on-court performances. Specific names weren't mentioned, but multiple players were reportedly involved.

Head coach Noelle Quinn led the Storm to a 25-15 regular-season record in 2024, her fourth campaign in charge after two as an assistant. She also played four-and-a-half seasons in Seattle across two separate stints and was Loyd's teammate during the club's 2018 championship run.

Assistants Pokey Chatman and Ebony Hoffman have been on Quinn's coaching staff since 2022 and remain listed on the team's basketball operations directory. Perry Huang, now an assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers' G League affiliate, was also on Quinn's staff last season.

Loyd has played her entire career in Seattle after the organization selected her first overall in 2015. She owns career averages of 16.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals and has shot 34.8% from three over 327 regular-season games. She signed a two-year extension in September 2023, putting her on pace to become a free agent in 2026.