WNBA Offseason Thread

[Ghetto Gospel]

Huge difference between outlier production and outlier play style. Nobody in women's basketball past or present plays like caitlin.

She is an absolutely incredible talent, electrifying to watch and deserves all of the accolades and praise she's gotten, on the basis of merit, not race.

I remember people trying to argue "she's not good enough for the olympic team", only for her to look like an MVP caliber player a month after the olympics.

If it is about merit, then production matters right?

And this is the problem with a lot of Clark fans. She wasn't good enough for the Olympic team at the time of selection. At the very least, there was a legit argument she wasn't good enough or why others should be ahead of her. What happens months afterwards has no relevancy. Instead of supporting the players on the Olympics team, Clark fans threw a hissy fit for months. That kind of toxicity is why discussion around Clark can't focus on just basketball. You want it to be about merit, not race, then set the example.

i don't think she wasn't good enough for the Olympic team at the time of selection. if they picked players based on picking the 12 best women basketball players that gave the team the best chance to succeed she would have been selected. there were other factors at play such as DT making history with her 6th olympics and brittney griner showing up for USA after what had all happened in Russia. this was the oldest roster we ever carried into the olympics and it almost cost us. let's not pretend the selections this time around were based purely on merit.

[CIN-C-STAR]

Congrats to A’ja Wilson on being awarded SI’s Player of the Year!
Well deserved honor for one of the contemporary greats of the game!
Hopefully none of the owners or other players don’t suggest she isn’t deserving and the entire league should have won the award instead, but we all know that level of stupidity is usually reserved for one player in particular, lol.

[MrDollarBills]

Sabally is leaving Dallas.

[Green Chile]

Sabally is leaving Dallas.

Sounds like it will definitely be a core sign and trade.
Most teams would be in the market, but I'd have to think the Fever and your Liberty would be trying pretty hard to get her.

I would imagine if there's any team she would want to go to, it would be the defending champs with her sister and college teammate.
Her and Sabrina also on the same Unrivaled team where I'm sure the topic will come up.

[MrDollarBills]

Sabally is leaving Dallas.

Sounds like it will definitely be a core sign and trade.
Most teams would be in the market, but I'd have to think the Fever and your Liberty would be trying pretty hard to get her.

I would imagine if there's any team she would want to go to, it would be the defending champs with her sister and college teammate.
Her and Sabrina also on the same Unrivaled team where I'm sure the topic will come up.

I don't think we're in it for Satou, but I wouldn't mind it

[Green Chile]

Sabally is leaving Dallas.

Sounds like it will definitely be a core sign and trade.
Most teams would be in the market, but I'd have to think the Fever and your Liberty would be trying pretty hard to get her.

I would imagine if there's any team she would want to go to, it would be the defending champs with her sister and college teammate.
Her and Sabrina also on the same Unrivaled team where I'm sure the topic will come up.

I don't think we're in it for Satou, but I wouldn't mind it

Are you saying they wouldn't want her?

Because they have the cap space, and could make DAL a competitive trade offer. Unless CHI is willing to offer the #3 pick, which I don't think they would (and they'd also be asking Satou to play SF).

Sab-BLH-Satou-Stewie-JJ starting with Fiebich, Nyara, and Burke (Sloot if they re-sign her) rotating in heavily sounds pretty awesome for a run at going back to back.

Of all the teams that will be in the running, the Liberty seem to be clearly the team she'd most like to go to. And she's getting the max, or right at it, no matter where she goes.

It feels like it's just a matter of whether or not the Liberty want her and whether another team just blows Dallas away with an offer.

And a massive trade offer probably won't happen for a player on a one year deal.

[cupcakesnake]

Sounds like it will definitely be a core sign and trade.
Most teams would be in the market, but I'd have to think the Fever and your Liberty would be trying pretty hard to get her.

I would imagine if there's any team she would want to go to, it would be the defending champs with her sister and college teammate.
Her and Sabrina also on the same Unrivaled team where I'm sure the topic will come up.

I don't think we're in it for Satou, but I wouldn't mind it

Are you saying they wouldn't want her?

Because they have the cap space, and could make DAL a competitive trade offer. Unless CHI is willing to offer the #3 pick, which I don't think they would (and they'd also be asking Satou to play SF).

Sab-BLH-Satou-Stewie-JJ starting with Fiebich, Nyara, and Burke (Sloot if they re-sign her) rotating in heavily sounds pretty awesome for a run at going back to back.

Of all the teams that will be in the running, the Liberty seem to be clearly the team she'd most like to go to. And she's getting the max, or right at it, no matter where she goes.

It feels like it's just a matter of whether or not the Liberty want her and whether another team just blows Dallas away with an offer.

And a massive trade offer probably won't happen for a player on a one year deal.

Liberty Fans: We want Sabally!
Liberty: We already have Sabally at home.

[cupcakesnake]

Personally I'd love to see Satou end up in Conneticut. Adding her shooting/scoring to that defense would give us another instant contender.

[MrDollarBills]

Sounds like it will definitely be a core sign and trade.
Most teams would be in the market, but I'd have to think the Fever and your Liberty would be trying pretty hard to get her.

I would imagine if there's any team she would want to go to, it would be the defending champs with her sister and college teammate.
Her and Sabrina also on the same Unrivaled team where I'm sure the topic will come up.

I don't think we're in it for Satou, but I wouldn't mind it

Are you saying they wouldn't want her?

Because they have the cap space, and could make DAL a competitive trade offer. Unless CHI is willing to offer the #3 pick, which I don't think they would (and they'd also be asking Satou to play SF).

Sab-BLH-Satou-Stewie-JJ starting with Fiebich, Nyara, and Burke (Sloot if they re-sign her) rotating in heavily sounds pretty awesome for a run at going back to back.

Of all the teams that will be in the running, the Liberty seem to be clearly the team she'd most like to go to. And she's getting the max, or right at it, no matter where she goes.

It feels like it's just a matter of whether or not the Liberty want her and whether another team just blows Dallas away with an offer.

And a massive trade offer probably won't happen for a player on a one year deal.

I didn't know we had enough cap to sign Satou.

Sure, I'm in. With Satou we will repeat

[MrDollarBills]

I don't think we're in it for Satou, but I wouldn't mind it

Are you saying they wouldn't want her?

Because they have the cap space, and could make DAL a competitive trade offer. Unless CHI is willing to offer the #3 pick, which I don't think they would (and they'd also be asking Satou to play SF).

Sab-BLH-Satou-Stewie-JJ starting with Fiebich, Nyara, and Burke (Sloot if they re-sign her) rotating in heavily sounds pretty awesome for a run at going back to back.

Of all the teams that will be in the running, the Liberty seem to be clearly the team she'd most like to go to. And she's getting the max, or right at it, no matter where she goes.

It feels like it's just a matter of whether or not the Liberty want her and whether another team just blows Dallas away with an offer.

And a massive trade offer probably won't happen for a player on a one year deal.

Liberty Fans: We want Sabally!
Liberty: We already have Sabally at home.

No no. We have room for another Sabally

[wojoaderge]

QO for Dana Evans, nothing for Chennedy Carter. I feel sick

[TheSuzerain]

Chennedy must be the biggest locker room cancer of all time if Sky are letting her walk.

[Green Chile]

QO for Dana Evans, nothing for Chennedy Carter. I feel sick

Yeah, this sucks. Chennedy was one of my favorite players to watch in 2024, and I was really hoping the progress she seemed to make was real.

Obviously, I don't know how she is as a teammate, but as mentioned, it's not a good sign if the Sky don't want her back.

Although, from a basketball sense, her best role may be a 6th man on a contender. She's one of my favorite players, but a guard that needs the ball to be effective, but isn't really a point and doesn't shoot threes can be a tricky basketball fit.

Her coming off the bench last year was a good role, but the Sky were so broken offensively she had to start.

It may be wish casting at this point, but I'm holding out hope that she can make it work somewhere.

[CIN-C-STAR]

Chennedy must be the biggest locker room cancer of all time if Sky are letting her walk.

It’s not exactly a secret that she’s up there for sure.

[zike_42]

Sounds like it will definitely be a core sign and trade.
Most teams would be in the market, but I'd have to think the Fever and your Liberty would be trying pretty hard to get her.

I would imagine if there's any team she would want to go to, it would be the defending champs with her sister and college teammate.
Her and Sabrina also on the same Unrivaled team where I'm sure the topic will come up.

I don't think we're in it for Satou, but I wouldn't mind it

Are you saying they wouldn't want her?

Because they have the cap space, and could make DAL a competitive trade offer. Unless CHI is willing to offer the #3 pick, which I don't think they would (and they'd also be asking Satou to play SF).

Sab-BLH-Satou-Stewie-JJ starting with Fiebich, Nyara, and Burke (Sloot if they re-sign her) rotating in heavily sounds pretty awesome for a run at going back to back.

Of all the teams that will be in the running, the Liberty seem to be clearly the team she'd most like to go to. And she's getting the max, or right at it, no matter where she goes.

It feels like it's just a matter of whether or not the Liberty want her and whether another team just blows Dallas away with an offer.

And a massive trade offer probably won't happen for a player on a one year deal.

I'm not sure who/what Dallas would want from NYL. The Liberty has pick #7 but if they're not giving up Sab/BLH/Stewie or JJ, what will be the pieces traded?

[Green Chile]

I don't think we're in it for Satou, but I wouldn't mind it

Are you saying they wouldn't want her?

Because they have the cap space, and could make DAL a competitive trade offer. Unless CHI is willing to offer the #3 pick, which I don't think they would (and they'd also be asking Satou to play SF).

Sab-BLH-Satou-Stewie-JJ starting with Fiebich, Nyara, and Burke (Sloot if they re-sign her) rotating in heavily sounds pretty awesome for a run at going back to back.

Of all the teams that will be in the running, the Liberty seem to be clearly the team she'd most like to go to. And she's getting the max, or right at it, no matter where she goes.

It feels like it's just a matter of whether or not the Liberty want her and whether another team just blows Dallas away with an offer.

And a massive trade offer probably won't happen for a player on a one year deal.

I'm not sure who/what Dallas would want from NYL. The Liberty has pick #7 but if they're not giving up Sab/BLH/Stewie or JJ, what will be the pieces traded?

I don't think they'd give up a player either.

But if they would be willing to give up the #7 pick, I think that would probably be better than anybody else's offer.

[MrDollarBills]

Any trade for Sabally involving Lainey-Hamilton and Fiebich is a hard pass for me.

[ellobo]

Any trade for Sabally involving Lainey-Hamilton and Fiebich is a hard pass for me.

Me too. Fiebich is so valuable with her defensive versatility, shooting efficiency, and rookie contract. And Betnijah is another defensively versatile and offensively efficient player (40% from 3 last year and 90% from the line) who gives the Liberty a lot of lineup flexibility. The Liberty are already losing depth with Kayla Thornton gone, and potentially more with Sloot and Kennedy Burke unrestricted free agents.

I don't see trading two starters and key players from a championship roster, one under team control on a cheap contract for FOUR more years, AND a draft pick, to rent Satou for one year at a super max rate, with no one currently on the roster as a proven candidate to fill the fifth starting spot.

Now Sabrina, JJ, and probably Stewie are going to be unrestricted after next season, so if you're looking at it as a one year window, then I can see not looking beyond next year. But I'm not sure Dallas has a lot of leverage to get a big package for a super max salaried one year rental who they can't just keep if they don't get the offer they want. If it just takes the #7 pick, I think you do that in a heartbeat though.

[Green Chile]

It's definitely not going to cost Fiebich.

I really don't think the cost is going to be all that high. I'm a little skeptical on how aggressive teams should be with 2025 draft picks.

2025 picks are going to be a roster building cheat code.

And the draft is incredibly deep (even assuming Betts and Flau'Jae don't declare).

What's more valuable? One year of Sabally making $250k? Or Aneesah Morrow locked into 4 years at $75,000 right when every player is a free agent and salaries skyrocket.

Maybe for the Liberty trying to repeat, but for most teams giving up a first round pick this year does not make any sense.

[ellobo]

It's definitely not going to cost Fiebich.

I really don't think the cost is going to be all that high. I'm a little skeptical on how aggressive teams should be with 2025 draft picks.

2025 picks are going to be a roster building cheat code.

And the draft is incredibly deep (even assuming Betts and Flau'Jae don't declare).

What's more valuable? One year of Sabally making $250k? Or Aneesah Morrow locked into 4 years at $75,000 right when every player is a free agent and salaries skyrocket.

Maybe for the Liberty trying to repeat, but for most teams giving up a first round pick this year does not make any sense.

I agree on all points.

I agree that the trade price to rent Sabally is not likely to be (or at least shouldn't be) very high.

I agree that if I'm the Liberty and I can put myself in a great position to repeat by adding Sabally without losing another player, then I do it.

I also agree that the draft is deep, with a bunch of high floor players, some high ceiling players, and a couple of international wildcards.

If I was a high profile player with another year of eligibility, I'd strongly consider collecting another year of NIL money in college and waiting until the new CBA to enter the draft. On the other hand, if I know most of my income is going to be endorsements rather than salary, and the new rookie scale is still likely to be relatively low and give teams control for multiple years, then a slightly higher scale might not be such a big deal. Plus, there's now Unrivaled, and breaking out in the W will give players potential access to that -- AFAIK Paige and Flau'jae basically have spots on lock already.