8 players under contract leaving $382,915 in cap space. Nyara: $70,609 Max contract $202,154 (Stewie, or Brionna) $110,152 in cap space Trade: Onyenwere+#6 pick for Burton+‘24FRP (why for Dallas: Arike signed long term, do they want Mabrey back as the starting backcourt mate? Then Harris or Burton expendable) Cap space: $114,950 Waive Richards, cap space: $184,003 Re-sign Johannes $120,000; Xu $64,000 (is this enough for either player?)
2023 New York Liberty roll w/ 11 players (risky w/ injury concerns) Burton 5’9/Johannes 5’10 Ionescu 5’11/Allen 6’2 Laney 6’0/Willoughby 6’0 Howard 6’2/Sabally 6’5 Stewart 6’4 or Jones 6’3/Dolson 6’5/Xu 6’10
Be kind to yourself, the way you expect others to be kind to you.
Post by bluedevilsdsufan5 on Aug 24, 2022 13:06:24 GMT -5
I think Kolb will get another year. Do I think he deserves it? I’m not sure. Last offseason drafted well talent wise, and did alright in FA. Brought in an established coach (meh on that but not terrible). But I do like continuity, being a Kings fan has scarred me with GM and head coach not being aligned or brought in together.
I’m fine with trading anyone outside of Ionescu, personally. As long as it brings in somewhat equal talent in return. I just don’t know if Laney is tradeable for a good return, after this current season. I’m done being sentimental and attached, as much as I love all the current players we have. I want to add more talent, and health so we can compete for championships.
Be kind to yourself, the way you expect others to be kind to you.
I’m done being sentimental and attached, as much as I love all the current players we have. I want to add more talent, and health so we can compete for championships.
Completely agree with this.
That’s also why I’d be fine to part with assets that weren’t even on the roster this year, such as Sabally, the #6 Pick, and/or the 2024 1RP, if it means getting established, high-end talent in return. I would rather the team be too aggressive in free agency and take those risks than not aggressive enough and falling short again.
IMO Kolb needs to stay at least one more season. He was in the room last winter when the team first met with Stewart, so I don’t think a GM change right now would be beneficial towards trying to sign her, unless the Tsai’s got the impression that Kolb made a poor first impression on Stewart. Otherwise, I liked what he did in 2021’s free agency. I think he knows how to pull the trigger on big moves – I just hope he knows he needs to do so again this year, in some form.
IMO Kolb needs to stay at least one more season. He was in the room last winter when the team first met with Stewart, so I don’t think a GM change right now would be beneficial towards trying to sign her, unless the Tsai’s got the impression that Kolb made a poor first impression on Stewart. Otherwise, I liked what he did in 2021’s free agency. I think he knows how to pull the trigger on big moves – I just hope he knows he needs to do so again this year, in some form.
This. Kolb has helped us go from terrible, in contention for #1 pick, to playoff contender (not too tough lol but still), and now he needs to take the next step to championship contender. We need to make Sabrina Ionescu want to stay in NY for her whole career. So we need healthy players and more talent. Go big Jonathan!!!
Be kind to yourself, the way you expect others to be kind to you.
Also from my what if bag, imagine if Laney had played 30+ games this year...this would be an entirely different conversation.
And Rebecca Allen. Richards and Willoughby have been at the end of the bench, but we wouldn't have gotten Dangerfield if we were 100% healthy either.
And if Richards and Willoughby were healthy, methinks it would've been Onyenwere at the end of the bench. Brondello seemed to prefer those two over her coming outta Camp, but then of course, injuries happened.
Dangerfield sadly remains an overall nothingburger in this League. If she can't capture the magic she had in the wubble as a scoring PG, and she's a defensive liability due to being the size of a Mouse, there's no future for her on this team or any team. She of all people would need to go to an expansion franchise, honestly.
It was the most interesting how Willoughby started at SF once Laney was out and by the time she returned was glued to the bench. They were so high on her during training camp only to bury her on the bench by the end of the season.
To summarize the Liberty's end of season press conference:
1. Currently Willoughby (Australia), Onyenwere (Turkey), Allen (Valencia), Johannes (France) and Han (China) are the only ones set to play overseas. Howard is undecided. Dolson, Ionescu, Richards and Whitcomb aren't planning on going overseas. No mention of Dangerfield or Laney.
2. Nyara Sabally is expected to be a part of their post rotation next year.
3. Brondello and Howard both mentioned that a veteran free agent PG is needed on this team.
4. Brondello mentioned the difference between this team and any Mercury team was experience. Said the Mercury team had more veterans and didn't have to teach much. 🤔
5. Dangerfield mentioned that she wasn't prepared for this season and was thankful that New York gave her a shot. 6. Howard mentioned the prioritization rule and that it will change many teams for next year.
Last Edit: Aug 25, 2022 10:21:27 GMT -5 by toad455
Post by libertyfan2020 on Aug 26, 2022 19:08:59 GMT -5
Stewart's not happening. She's sticking in Seattle. She has a house and a newborn there. Stewart probably will be enough for Seattle to get a free agent PG(or Diggins). If we can get Wheeler, she's my top FA point guard.
PG: Wheeler/Dangerfield SG; Ionescu/Johannes SF: Laney/Allen PF: Howard/Sabally/Kone or Onyenwere C: Dolson/Han +#6 pick(wing or guard) Should be the end for Richards, Willoughby and Onyenwere. Maybe they trade Onyenwere for a 2024 pick?
Stewart's not happening. She's sticking in Seattle. She has a house and a newborn there.
Not to give y'all false hope, but I hadn't heard she bought a house. Last I heard – mind you, this was back in 2016 when she was a rookie – she was renting a space in Queen Anne, sorta around where Sue Bird lives. I know these things aren't always publicized, but when you google her name and "house," nothing definitive comes up.
All I know is, the state of New York is where her home is, and Marta's home country of Spain is much closer to New York City than it is to Seattle. Ruby is still very young. 2023 may be the last time Stewart's a true free agent for a few years since she's never been cored. Especially with Birdy retiring, and that she's already taken us to the mountaintop twice, a move home would make all the sense in the world...
Plus, even if Stewart had bought a home, there’s nothing that says she can't turn around & sell it. Kelsey Plum's college coach Mike Neighbors bought a damn ranch here the year before he took the Arkansas job close to where he was from & bolted lmao 🙃
Last Edit: Aug 30, 2022 23:42:46 GMT -5 by Deleted
She may prioritize the 2-3x more money in Europe in fewer games over playing for anyone in the WNBA as well. I would not hesitate to do that myself were I in her position, particularly if my wife was from Spain. Plus, she seems a little nonplussed about the whole prioritization scheme and may want to try to bring it down. There may be several other players that feel the same way.
Yep, Prioritization will add its own wild-card dynamic. Who knows. It’s gonna make everything a complete guessing game. Not looking forward to it, tbh.
Prioritization may help players demand higher salaries in the US and overseas as well because it will reduce the supply of players in both places. Now instead playing in 2 places most players will probably have to pick one or the other and their agents can use the home/overseas card as a bargaining tool. In the WNBA some pretty mediocre players may end up with big contracts if a lot of the stars opt for overseas. Of course, players probably won't make as much as they could playing at home and abroad.
Liberty need to approach free agency under the assumption that they have both a starting PG and starting post position open – and if they no longer trust Laney due to her knee, then a starting SF position as well.
While I disagree that Whitcomb will be out of the League next year, I'd be shocked if she were to return here. Thinking she only does that if she accepts something in the five figures
Last Edit: Aug 30, 2022 16:52:23 GMT -5 by Deleted