WNBA Offseason Thread

[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.

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.

Yeah, I've been wondering how prospects will weigh being a 2025 pick vs 2026, as well.

You mention the likelihood that the rookie pay bump may not be huge, which would make sense given that that's not normally the top priority for a players' association. In addition to endorsements, getting to that 2nd contract one year earlier could far outweigh a mild rookie deal bump.

Betts seems like a real longshot with her sister coming to UCLA next year, but Flau'jae's choice seems really up in the air.

[hermes]

is betts eligible to declare this year?

[MrDollarBills]

I'm hearing rumors of a three team trade that sends Plum to Los Angeles and Loyd to the Aces.

I love that for LA.

[Green Chile]

is betts eligible to declare this year?

Yes. But she's made it pretty clear she wants to play next year with her sister.

[Green Chile]

I'm hearing rumors of a three team trade that sends Plum to Los Angeles and Loyd to the Aces.

I love that for LA.

I saw the report. All it says is "assets to Seattle".

Rae Burrell and 2nd round pick? Sure, I like that for LA.

#2 pick? I can't imagine they'd do that. (Of course, I'm assuming the phone gets hung up if Rickea, Brink, or Hamby get mentioned)

Like with Sabally, maybe I'm just overvaluing these 2025 picks in relation to one year cored players.

And maybe I'm just not that high on Plum. 30 year old 5'8 shooting guard that doesn't play defense coming off a down year on a one-year max contract?

Fine for a contender, but If I'm LA, I'm not giving up valuable future assets.

[hermes]

its official
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/43577684/sources-jewell-loyd-aces-kelsey-plum-sparks-trade

out-going:
seattle storm: Jewell Loyd, #9 pick
los angeles sparks: Li Yueru, #2 pick, #13 pick
las vegas aces: Kelsey Plum


in-coming
seattle storm: Li Yueru, #2 pick
los angeles sparks: Kelsey Plum, #9 pick
las vegas aces: Jewell Loyd, #13 pick

[sikma42]

its official
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/43577684/sources-jewell-loyd-aces-kelsey-plum-sparks-trade

out-going:
seattle storm: Jewell Loyd, #9 pick
los angeles sparks: Li Yueru, #2 pick, #13 pick
las vegas aces: Kelsey Plum


in-coming
seattle storm: Li Yueru, #2 pick
los angeles sparks: Kelsey Plum, #9 pick
las vegas aces: Jewell Loyd, #13 pick

Not sure if this is a good move for the Sparks. Kelsey Plum is 30 years old and not really a franchise type imo.

I’m really high on Dominque Malonga and think she might be the best player in this draft. Haven’t watched a ton of her games, but she seems more valuable than Plum or Lloyd.


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[zike_42]

I've never been a big fan of volume shooters, and Jewell Loyd hasn't shot over 40% for the past three seasons. This will take the ball out of A'ja's hands for a missed shot which will weaken them. Not a fan of the Sparks' side either, as they should have kept on the youth train. Olivia Miles with Brink and Jackson would have been a fantastic trio to build around.

Seems the Storm got the best out of this trade, getting rid of a disgruntled player for the #2 pick in a stacked draft.

[Green Chile]

I really didn't think there was any way in hades the Sparks would really give up to the #2 pick for this.

Good for the Storm.

[Green Chile]

Watch on YouTube

Aari McDonald should be excited to be reunited with Plum.

That video, for some reason, cuts out Rickea on the left covering her face to hide the laughter.

[JustBuzzin]

Why would the Aces blow up their core?

That group had chemistry.

[MrDollarBills]

Why would the Aces blow up their core?

That group had chemistry.

I think Plum wanted to move on and honestly with Chelsea Gray's struggles last season i don't think LV is a threat to the Liberty like they were before.

[MrDollarBills]

Take this with a grain of salt but there's rumblings that Paige doesn't want to play in Texas.

[Green Chile]

Why would the Aces blow up their core?

That group had chemistry.

It sounds like Plum wanted out.

I don't like the move for them. It seems like they need more help in the frontcourt than another guard (assuming they can retain TIp Hayes). Although, I'm sure they aren't done, hopefully Kitley is healthy and can contribute, and maybe they can get some frontcourt depth at #13.

A 3-team trade for Sabally seems like it would have made some sense.
Heck if Plum was worth the #2 pick, 4 years of a cost controlled Kiki might have made sense.

Clearly, the Sparks and Aces don't think as much of this draft class as I do, so who knows.

[JustBuzzin]

Why would the Aces blow up their core?

That group had chemistry.

I think Plum wanted to move on and honestly with Chelsea Gray's struggles last season i don't think LV is a threat to the Liberty like they were before.

They have the best player in the sport. They will be a threat regardless. I just think they blew up a good core without really giving it another shot.

[MrDollarBills]

Dijonai had a meeting with the Sky.

[MrDollarBills]

Why would the Aces blow up their core?

That group had chemistry.

I think Plum wanted to move on and honestly with Chelsea Gray's struggles last season i don't think LV is a threat to the Liberty like they were before.

They have the best player in the sport. They will be a threat regardless. I just think they blew up a good core without really giving it another shot.

There was a lot going on behind the scenes with the Aces and there were times where Wilson was visibly pissed off with her teammates.

I mean, I wouldn't want to trade a stud like Plum either but I don't think she wanted to stay. Also, she went through a lot the last year or so with getting divorced so maybe she wanted to leave the bad memories behind.

[JustBuzzin]

Why would the Aces blow up their core?

That group had chemistry.

It sounds like Plum wanted out.

I don't like the move for them. It seems like they need more help in the frontcourt than another guard (assuming they can retain TIp Hayes). Although, I'm sure they aren't done, hopefully Kitley is healthy and can contribute, and maybe they can get some frontcourt depth at #13.

A 3-team trade for Sabally seems like it would have made some sense.
Heck if Plum was worth the #2 pick, 4 years of a cost controlled Kiki might have made sense.

Clearly, the Sparks and Aces don't think as much of this draft class as I do, so who knows.

Possible. Plum wanted out to LA for the marketing and location. Sparks aren't contenders so it must be about off the court success.

[Green Chile]

It's also worth noting the Aces do not have a freaking GM.

First trade of two #1 overall picks in history, not to mention both being 2-time WNBA champs and all the other accolades.
This massive trade to break up the 2-time champs.

And they did it with no freaking GM.

I don't know who's calling the shots here, but none of this seems promising.

[Green Chile]

Dijonai had a meeting with the Sky.

I love the Sky and DiJonai. It would be fun if that worked out (though I'm sure the Sun are matching any offer)

Team needs shooting and DC doesn't necessarily provide that, but she provides everything else.

Sign DiJonai, take Sonia Citron at #3, then Sellers or Paopao at #10. I dig it. And of course, they have loads of cap space.

Not a title contender in 2025, but that's a fun young team that can defend like crazy, and some shooting sprinkled in.