Hull is misused in Indiana IMO. She could be a good 3 and D player, but it always seemed like they were asking her to do more. I also think she would benefit the most of going to an established team where they wouldn't expect her to do too much.
Henderson seems like she could potentially become the starter here. DRob is getting older and probably shouldn't be brought back. Would kinda be silly to get rid of her unless they don't like her fit.
Engstler struggled with fouls, but not surprising considering how aggressive she plays and as a rookie. She's the toughest I see at a future here unless they move her to the 3. I don't think they really want to keep her a bench/role player, but what do I know lmao
Smith is a absolute non-trade unless they are getting a superstar.
Egbo is the interesting one. If they manage to get the #1, they take Boston and Egbo gets benched and Boston should play a lot of minutes. That could hurt Egbo. PLUS, she had a surprisingly good year and it might be smart to sell high on her IF they get the #1
formerly pickdiamondmillerchallenge lol formerly dmillerturnprochallenge ha formerly bostonturnprochallenge lol
I too would have zero idea on what will/should be done with Engstler. And I absolutely agree on the selling high on Egbo idea. I wish the Liberty had done so with Onyenwere, though she was used by default from all the injuries in her own position group.
If the Fever don’t get the #1/Boston, what do they do? Take a center anyway? Probably not. The next position group that needs upgrading is probably SF. If they think Diamond Miller (or NaLyssa Smith) can be a SF for most of the time, they probably take her. Haley Jones and… Ashley Joens… then become possibilities as well.
Last Edit: Aug 16, 2022 21:05:04 GMT -5 by Deleted
I wish Indiana had drafted Bell at 4, which is what my initial prediction was. Way more upside imo than Hull, and as previously acknowledged, Engstler is a weird fit for the Fever if she’s not gonna move to the perimeter as a SF. Smith at 2, Bell at 4, Egbo at 6, Henderson at 10, and then whoever in the later rounds. That would’ve been fun. 🙃
Post by wbbfan2020 on Aug 17, 2022 12:02:25 GMT -5
Apparently both Hull and Engstler were highly touted. If Indiana picked someone else at #4, Engstler would have gone #5 to New York as Brondello wanted to pick her.
Considering NY still has all these SFs and Indiana seems to need an upgrade there, the Liberty could probably acquire Engstler in a trade imo.
To me, Engstler hardly has any star potential, but what she does have is fabulous role/glue player potential. Another reason I don’t see her as being the right fit for the Fever at this time, though.
Last Edit: Aug 17, 2022 12:16:58 GMT -5 by Deleted
Engstler ain’t that much more valuable than Onyenwere – if she even is.
Engstler for Onyenwere straight up, or Engstler + 7 for Onyenwere + 6. But assuming that doesn’t do the trick, NY has plenty else they can throw in: Richards, Willoughby, 2024 2RP, rights to Shook, rights to Carrera, rights to Kone, etc.
Or center the trade around a more experienced SF like Laney or Allen. That could be really interesting to do in a salary-reducing move for the Liberty to allow them to go after other free agents who may be better fits (certainly Stewart).
Last Edit: Aug 17, 2022 13:58:18 GMT -5 by Deleted
Engstler ain’t that much more valuable than Onyenwere – if she even is.
Engstler for Onyenwere straight up, or Engstler + 7 for Onyenwere + 6. But assuming that doesn’t do the trick, NY has plenty else they can throw in: Richards, Willoughby, 2024 2RP, rights to Shook, rights to Carrera, rights to Kone, etc.
Or center the trade around a more experienced SF like Laney or Allen. That could be really interesting to do in a salary-reducing move for the Liberty to allow them to go after other free agents who may be better fits (certainly Stewart).
I thought of the FRP switch as well, and that might work if there was someone Indiana really wanted that it was likely NY really wanted also. It just didn't seem like enough to maybe add the rights to Kone. I don't think rights to Shook are worth much to Indiana because they will probably be able to get her off the waiver wire if they want her.
The second option is kind of risky. I'm not really a fan of Allen, so that's out. Laney is by far a better player but there is kind of long and painful injury history and a big contract. While I like her a lot, not sure she is what Indiana needs. If viewed as a salary dump to make a big addition, Indy should get extra compensation.
Ultimately, NY's problem isn't Onynwere, it's Willougby. She's played only 33 games in 3 seasons while Onyenwere has played 66 in 2. Her injury history is too troubling and her numbers really are arguably not as good as Onyenwere. Plus, Onyenwere's production per minute has not really dropped much as a sub in 2022 compared to being a starter in 2021. Players that play as well of the bench are useful subs and she can start in pinch. With Laney (and Johannes) around, NY could use a good backup more than anything.
TBH - seems like a Onyenwere Engstler trade would be a distinction w/o a difference. Don't see why either team would want make such a trade anyway.
Allen would be a good veteran presence, and Lin Dunn did say the team needs more of that, as it does seem like the logical next move. I think even a player like Shook has value, as she did take a step forward in 2021, and the Fever needs post players. Hopefully taking 2022 off allowed whatever was physically(?) wrong with her to heal up. I would offer Allen + the rights to one of Shook/Kone/Carrera for Engstler.
Yeah, picking up Willoughby’s option might’ve been more egregious than Dallas picking up Alarie’s and Harris’. Anyone who can’t stay healthy really has zero value unless they’re proven to have high upside. For that reason, it sort of feels like New York should look into trading Nyara Sabally now if they’re trying to win now, but that’s doubtful.
@ HCs: 🗣Stop loving players who have worn out their welcome. If it ain’t happening, it ain’t happening. You hopelessly giving them chance after chance isn’t going to get you closer to a title. You know how you can replace or get more locker room presences? By having a winning team in the locker room. 😑
I'm more curious about the status of the franchise. Where are they playing next year? Have the STHs gotten renewal notices yet? What's the status of local media rights?
And then there's little details like GM and coach, not to mention a dismal roster.
I'm more curious about the status of the franchise. Where are they playing next year? Have the STHs gotten renewal notices yet? What's the status of local media rights?
And then there's little details like GM and coach, not to mention a dismal roster.
Season tickets weren't sold for this season and haven't been sold since 2019.
I expect we’ll know at least the short-term if not long-term fate of the Fever by the end of September at the very latest. Again, the San Antonio Stars didn’t announce their move to Vegas until 8 days after the 2017 Finals ended.
Several Fever players have signed to play in either the 2022–23 EuroLeague and/or EuroBasket seasons. As of publication, that includes:
Alanna Smith: Signed for AZS-AJP Gorzów (Poland)
Tiffany Mitchell: Signed with the Melbourne Boomers (WNBL Australia)
Queen Egbo: Signed to Nesibe Aydin (Turkey)
Emily Engstler: Signed to Flammes Carolo (France)
Emma Cannon: Signed to Bursa Uludag Basketbol (Turkey)
Rennia Davis: Will play for Landerneau (France), also signed to Besiktas HDI Sigorta (Turkey)
In addition, NaLyssa Smith will join the Team USA World Cup training camp.
Egbo, Engsler Cannon and Davis going overseas to Turkey and France. Not ideal because those leagues have been late finishers. While prioritization won't be a problem for those players (except maybe Cannon?) it's not going to help getting the season off to a good start.
Every time I see a new post pop up in this thread, I hold my breath…
Engstler in France is 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼 Though I shouldn’t judge the French league yet until we see how all these schedule blocks are gonna be this winter now that everyone knows Prioritization has become a thing.
I wonder if Smith will play overseas in any capacity. If not, she at least will be on-time. Since Smith & Dijonai Carrington are an item (watch Connecticut try & trade for Smith lmao), maybe Smith’ll play in AU if Carrington does it again.