Minnesota Lynx Acquire Ninth and Fifteenth Overall Selections in 2009 WNBA Draft From Washington Mystics

Lindsey Harding and Future Considerations Sent to Mystics MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL -  The Minnesota Lynx today announced that they have acquired two 2009 draft picks - the ninth selection in the first round (ninth overall) and the second selection in the second round (15th overall) - from the Washington Mystics in exchange for guard Lindsey Harding, Minnesota's 2009 second-round selection (23rd overall) and the Lynx' second-round pick in 2010.  With this trade, the Lynx now hold the fourth, ninth and 15th overall selections in the 2009 WNBA Draft.   "While we're sad to see Lindsey go, this trade gives us three picks in the top 15 in this year's draft, which we're really excited about," said Lynx Executive Vice President Roger Griffith.  "This is a very deep draft, and with three of the first 15 picks, we'll be able to add even more talent to our existing core of young and talented players.  Today's trades give us a chance to accelerate the progress we started last year and will help us reach our goal of winning a WNBA Championship."   In 44 career games in a Lynx uniform, including 31 starts, Harding averaged 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 27.1 mpg.  Harding has missed parts of the past two seasons, sitting out the final 14 contests of 2007 due to surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, and the first 10 games of 2008 due to a stress fracture of her left patella.  The Lynx originally acquired the 5-8 guard from the Phoenix Mercury on April 4, 2007, in exchange for Tangela Smith.   The Minnesota Lynx open their 11th year of basketball in the Twin Cities on June 6, 2009 vs. the Chicago Sky at Target Center.  Season and group tickets for the 2009 season are now on sale. For information on ticket packages, call 612-673-8400, e-mail tickets@lynxbasketball.com, or visit the Lynx website at www.lynxbasketball.com.    www.lynxbasketball.com