Reigning WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones returning to Connecticut Sun on multi-year deal

Jones has developed into arguably the best player in the world

In one of the least surprising moves of free agency, reigning WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones is returning to the Connecticut Sun on a multi-year deal. The team announced the move on Tuesday, which was the first day that new contracts could become official. 

"We are ecstatic about JJ's decision to return and continue her career in Connecticut," Sun head coach and GM Curt Miller said. "She is one of the most versatile and talented players in the world. She has a burning desire to improve and we look forward to building upon the momentum of her MVP season. JJ is an unselfish superstar and is driven to help bring a championship to Connecticut. This is a great day for the Sun."

The No. 6 overall pick back in 2016, Jones had been slowly but surely ascending the ranks. She was named Most Improved Player in 2017, then followed that up with a Sixth Player of the Year Award in 2018. Next up she made All-Defensive First Team and Second Team All-WNBA in 2019. After sitting out the bubble season in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, she finally reached the top with a near-unanimous MVP season in 2021. 

With a career-high 19.4 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, Jones was one of only two players in the league to average a double-double, and finished fourth and first, respectively, in those categories. She also averaged 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks, which helped her make another All-Defensive First Team. 

As a result of Jones' brilliance, the Sun finished the regular season 26-6, tying a franchise record for wins and earning the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs. They fell short once again, however, losing to the eventual champion Chicago Sky in four games in the semifinals. That Game 1 was a six-point loss in double-overtime, and Game 3 was a three-point loss in which Briann January missed a potential go-ahead layup in the closing seconds that only made the defeat sting worse. 

The Sun have now made it to at least the semifinals in three straight seasons, but have just one Finals appearance and no rings to show for it. But with Jones coming back, and Alyssa Thomas healthy after missing most of last season with a torn Achilles tendon, they're going to remain a threat to win it all for years to come.