The Connecticut Sun were really looking forward to playing center Chiney Ogwumike and second-year power forward Jonquel Jones on the floor together this season.

Things don't go as hoped more often than not for the star-crossed Sun. Their bad luck began months before this season even began when Ogwumike required left Achilles tendon surgery on Nov. 30, 2016, which could cause her to miss an entire WNBA season for the second time in three years.

Connecticut opted to improve its post depth by acquiring 6-foot-4 forward/center Lynetta Kizer and the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft from the Indiana Fever as part of a three-way trade that also involved the Phoenix Mercury.

The Sun traded forward Camille Little and the rights to post Jillian Alleyne to the Mercury. Phoenix traded forward Candice Dupree and the 17th overall draft pick to Indiana.

“Looking at the roster we currently have with Camille and Morgan (Tuck) at the four (power forward), we didn’t have a roster that was really going to lend itself to being able to experiment and play J.J (Jones) to see what we had with her at the four,” Connecticut head coach/general manager Curt Miller said. “Kizer brings in someone that can play (center) and help defend at the five while keeping J.J. on the floor (at the four).”

Kizer, a five-year veteran from Maryland, started in 12 of 33 games for Indiana last season. She averaged 17.2 minutes, 9.3 points and 3.2 rebounds. She shot 55.6 percent from the floor last season and 80 percent from the free throw line.

Kizer shoots well from the outside. She made 54 of 102 shots (52.9 percent) frmo 16-to-21 feet from the basket, according to statistics compiled by Minnesota Lynx statistician Paul Swanson. She also shot 62.1 percent (59 of 95) within five feet of the basket.

Ogwumike was the league’s 12th leading rebounder last season (6.7), but was brought along slowly after missing all of 2015 to micro-fracture surgery on her right knee. She became more productive as the season went on and averaged 8.7 rebounds in her final 18 games.

Kizer’s rebounding numbers are low for a post, but, at 230 pounds, gives Connecticut interior bulk that it didn’t have.

“It was universal amongst our players in exit interviews that we needed a physical presence to play along with Chiney and J.J.,” Miller said.

“Lynetta is not going to be a high-volume rebounder, but she does an excellent job of keeping her opponent off the boards. She’s not afraid to body up. She comes with tremendous praise from (former Fever head coach) Stephanie White, whom I have a great relationship with and truly respect. She was really complimented by her former teammates and coaches as being an excellent teammate and excellent (locker room) culture kid.”

Little was one of the Sun's best defenders and most savvy players during her two seasons with the franchise. She started 29 of 33 games last season and averaged 24.6 minutes, 7.8 points and 3.0 rebounds.

The trade adds to the Connecticut's youth (Little is 32, Kizer turns 27 on April 4). It has one of the league’s youngest rosters with no one over 27.

n.griffen@theday.com