Connecticut Sun's Whalen heading to Minnesota?

The Connecticut Sun are involved in talks that could send all-star point guard Lindsay Whalen home to Minnesota, according to WNBA sources and a published report.

News of the possible deal appeared in Sid Hartman-s recent column in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

More specific league sources indicate that the trade would involve Whalen and the Sun's No. 2 pick in the 2010 draft to Minnesota for former UConn great Renee Montgomery and the first pick in the upcoming draft, which the Lynx own. That pick would likely be UConn center Tina Charles.

"We've had discussions with several teams about various things," Sun coach Mike Thibault said Thursday, declining to offer any specifics.

Whalen, the most popular player in the history of the University of Minnesota program, is averaging 15 points per game this winter playing professionally in Prague. She is among the Sun's most popular players and was the runner-up for the WNBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2008.

The league sources speculated the move would boost Minnesota's lagging attendance by bringing a high profile player back home and create "a buzz" around the franchise. However, in the 15 reader comments posted to Hartman's column, which covered a variety of topics, none included any mention, good or bad, of Whalen's possible return.

Montgomery, who led the Huskies to the 2008 national championship, averaged nine points and two assists per game with the Lynx in her rookie season.