Alaina Coates got on the floor in today, making her the 8th player in WNBA history to play for seven different franchises and the first since Shay Murphy in 2017. Coates has played for Chicago, Minnesota, Atlanta, Washington, Indiana, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
Murphy played for Minnesota, Detroit, Washington, Indiana, Chicago, Phoenix, and San Antonio.
Coates is the second top two pick to play for seven franchises, following Kelly Miller. Miller, who went #2 in 2001, played for Charlotte, Indiana, Phoenix, Minnesota, Atlanta, Washington, and New York.
Today was the 86th career game for Coates, by far the fewest for any seven franchise player. Tamara Moore, at 145 games, is the only other one under 200. Moore played for Miami, Minnesota, Detroit, Phoenix, New York, Los Angeles, and Houston.
The record for most franchises played for is eight, held by Kristen Rasmussen. Ras played for Utah, Miami, Indiana, Houston, Charlotte, Phoenix, Connecticut, and Minnesota.
The other seven franchise players
Kiesha Brown: Washington, Houston, New York, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Connecticut, Tulsa
Betty Lennox: Minnesota, Miami, Cleveland, Seattle, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Tulsa
Sheri Sam: Orlando, Miami, Minnesota, Seattle, Charlotte, Indiana, Detroit
So Coates needs to get on two of the following teams to break Rasmussen's record: Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York (not happening this season), or Connecticut.
So Coates needs to get on two of the following teams to break Rasmussen's record: Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York (not happening this season), or Connecticut.
Or there could be expansion. Lennox, Rasmussen, and Sam all played for expansion teams plus it increases the options.
Does that mean six teams cut you because you weren't good enough?
Or seven teams liked you enough to sign you?
Some of both, maybe. Lennox, Miller, and Sam all started for championship teams. Lennox was even finals MVP. Murphy played every game of the finals for a title winner.
It's not always that a player was cut either. Lennox, Rasmussen, and Sam were all on the 2002 Sol that folded. Lennox and Sam were also on other teams that disbanded (Lennox with the Rockers, Sam on the Sting).
So Coates needs to get on two of the following teams to break Rasmussen's record: Seattle, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York (not happening this season), or Connecticut.
Or there could be expansion. Lennox, Rasmussen, and Sam all played for expansion teams plus it increases the options.
and that would really help the chances of a player who keeps going in & out of the league actually stick, like Coates.
we shall see what Cathy E. has to say about expansion in the Finals press conference – or, gee, maybe we’ll get an update in her remarks at the Commissioner’s Cup. 2025 🤞🏼