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MAC Adelaide Lightning's returning superstar Stephanie Talbot has been traded today by the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury to staunch rival Minnesota Lynx.

Talbot, 24 and a 188cm guard/forward originally drafted at 33 in 2014 by the Mercury, looks likely to immediately be part of the Lynx's rotation in 2019, making the move a huge plus for the Kadina junior.

Phoenix receives a 2020 second round draft pick in return but more importantly, it opens up some salary-cap space, the Mercury anxious to retain several rookie draft picks - including Opals star Alanna Smith - along with their highly-salaried veterans.

Now down to 13 players, Phoenix must get to 12, plus below the $996,100 salary cap, by Friday. with its regular season opening this weekend away to the Storm at Seattle.

The winner of the WNBL's 2013 Betty Watson Rookie of the Year award after debuting with Lightning, Talbot also played in Poland before making her WNBA debut in 2017.

She played 65 games for Phoenix, averaging 4.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per outing and was a starter in 24. 

In eight playoff games, she averaged 4.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.4 minutes, her defensive prowess a huge factor. Nonetheless, at the offensive end Talbot's 41.5% shooting percentage was second among all WNBA rookies in 2017.

She was a key piece for Mercury late last season at small forward after Phoenix moved DeWanna Bonner to power forward in place of injured Sancho Lyttle.

Having played WNBL with Canberra Capitals and last season at Melbourne Boomers, Talbot's return to Lightning for next season was a major coup.

An Opals Olympian in Rio in 2016, last year Talbot also was a prominent player on Australia's Silver Medal-winning team at the FIBA World Cup in Spain.