Richyyy and the HerHoopstats crew did another mock FA. Here's is the youtube link of the first of 3 episodes. I watched the first one, and then skipped ahead through 2 and 3. It is entertaining and fun. Not sure I like how everything turned out, and it was done before it was known Griner was back and going to play so it's a bit off as far as the Mercury go, but still interesting and may not be all that far off. It certainly seems plausible enough.
finally got around to completing the 3-part series – very fun mock! Richyyy & co. did a great job once again
unfortunate timing-wise that BG's status was discounted, cuz that one equation change for Phoenix affects the entire rest of the league
i was surprised in particular by the heightened valuation for Carleton ($120k i think was agreed upon? but even mentioning her in the talks at all) and the imo continued under-valuation for CWill in the low $100ks
Bobby was a great new addition in general, and a great salesman for Atlanta
it would've been interesting had Sabreena not been assigned/not chosen LA and Phoenix, cuz i think those two teams in particular will be competing for some of the same players
i do think there'll be more shake-ups at the top than there ended up being in the mock, but it's hard of course pinning down where those'll come from irl
looking at all the team's situations, this indeed may be the first year in a while that no one gets cored – an outlier year perhaps, or a result of these newer coring rules?unfortunate timing-wise that BG's status was discounted, cuz that one equation change for Phoenix affects the entire rest of the league
I thought overall some of the salaries didn't seem right (too low or too high), and Carlton is a good (maybe the best) example. I see her as being lucky to get a job in the league, not as a $120 k player. Likewise CWill is too low and Billings too high. Also, I think they goofed on some of the unprotected contracts. My take is that players will be more likely to take a longer protected contract than a shorter or unprotected deal even if it is for more money. Also, I really don't see why Atlanta wouldn't be offering Caldwell a contract, esp. after Bobby got turned down on most every player he might have wanted except Mabrey. I don't see why he wanted to spend a lot on Clark, and why Clark would take on year with the Storm over 2 with the Dream. At Clark's age - hard to teams wanting or her or her turning down an extra contract year.
All of the discussion on Hayes seemed odd. At her age, unimpressive 2021 results/early exit and uncertain prioritization status, I'm not sure I see her coming back or generating a lot of interest from DC. I'd think DC is happy with Clark.
Overall, I think they underestimated the impact of prioritization (essentially assuming only Gabby Williams doesn't come back).
That said, it was still fun and it's always possible, my views are just wrong.
Nah, you’re spot on about Carleton. She may not make a roster next season, let alone sign for anything above a TCC. She’s been in the league for several years now, and she still doesn’t appear to be more than a fringe player.
Atlanta in general is hard to nail down. Bobby might’ve gotten so aggressive with offering deals that it kinda turned him into a one-trick pony of a GM. IMO the Dream won’t be contenders in 2023 barring a Herculean free agency period where they miraculously acquire multiple “dream” targets so to speak (lmao), so they need to keep their eye on developing all the young players they have now, and add good veteran players to aid in those efforts.
With Diet Prioritization™️ in 2023 and Regular Prioritization™️ in 2024, and the sheer uncertainty that’ll go along with that, I definitely understand why they took the collective mindset they took. I appreciated that they took into consideration any postseason comments made by any players to indicate what their future plans could be, cuz those are the only things we have to go off of – even if they end up being red herrings of sorts.
I can envision some of the players protesting the new policy by sitting out in 2024 (whether that’s actually an effective idea or not is up for debate imo).
Other players may not know what they’ll be doing overseas-wise after the 2023 W season, and who knows what tidbits they’re already hearing from their current overseas teams & leagues that aren’t [supposed to be] public knowledge yet.
Last Edit: Dec 24, 2022 18:49:53 GMT -5 by Deleted
Agree about Atlanta. I think Mabrey may be the best player the Dream can actually sign if they throw a big enough offer in her direction. If so they probably just sneak into the playoffs, unless they hit a home run in the draft or Durr finally gets healthy and lives up to their potential. Even then they are not a contender until a they get a much better post rotation.
I can understand why nobody was that keen on paying Courtney Williams a lot of money. If she could make more threes as opposed to long twos, she'd become a lot more attractive as a player. As it is, somebody who specialises in midrange jumpers are less in demand nowadays and unless you're Chelsea Gray, it's not an efficient way to score. Her floor game is solid, but it's not something that is going to increase her value significantly.
CWill prefers taking the long 2s, but she is capable of taking & making 3s. Maybe she needs the right coach to tell her to step behind the line more? She also can be effective as a rebounder.
I think too she took the $100k after making max the year before just to ensure she’d be on a team. I don’t think she’ll settle for that again if she can help it. I see her signing for somewhere around $130k myself. Maybe she follows Curt Miller to LA where their cap situation is more flexible than Connecticut’s, which I don’t see her returning to for that very reason.
Carleton will be in the league. Last year was just a slight off year.
Bobby was okay for my team except he should be more aggressive for the Lynx on Jones and Stevens. I think one of them will be with us next year.
Welp, ya heard it here first, folks.
A change of scenery for Carleton might be necessary. The Storm could bring her aboard as a possibility if we can't retain Talbot in particular.
The Lynx's cap situation will once again be one to watch. Y'all can afford a good center like BJones or Stevens, but not a whole lot else regarding the Dantas' and the Jefferson's of the team amongst other intriguing free agents out there, unless a McBride/Powers/Achonwa is moved or improbably bought out. The mock free agency featured that interesting 'blockbuster dump' (lmfao at that entire concept) involving Diggins for Achonwa plus many picks – though something tells me it would realistically take a third team to get involved for a Diggins/Achonwa trade to actually happen so that the Lynx wouldn't have to do all of that heavy lifting themselves.
And I maintain that any two teams that need a third intermediary team involved in a deal ought to call up the Wings and/or Liberty. Both teams still employ or own the rights to multiple pieces whom wouldn't really be missed.
Agree about Atlanta. I think Mabrey may be the best player the Dream can actually sign if they throw a big enough offer in her direction. If so they probably just sneak into the playoffs, unless they hit a home run in the draft or Durr finally gets healthy and lives up to their potential. Even then they are not a contender until a they get a much better post rotation.
Lmao I promise you the absolute last player the Dream would ever sign is Marina Mabrey. Not throwing big money at her. We won’t be signing anyone who doesn’t understand that Rhyne Howard is the franchise player on this team. We already have enough chuckers at Guard( Aari, AD, Erica) don’t need another one. And even if Durr is healthy. Caldwell and Kristy Wallace are still both better players and prospects. AD can’t guard a cone on defense. Dream main needs are a facilitator at PG, and a dominant center on defense and the boards. As well as someone who can take attention off of Rhyne so that she can get easier shots and won’t have to work so hard on offense every game because there would be more than Cheyenne who is a threat consistently on offense…The Dream almost made the playoffs on the back off the ROY with half the team out all season long. I promise you they won’t need to “sneak into the playoffs” next season.
Last Edit: Dec 27, 2022 5:51:41 GMT -5 by dreamfan12
Agree about Atlanta. I think Mabrey may be the best player the Dream can actually sign if they throw a big enough offer in her direction. If so they probably just sneak into the playoffs, unless they hit a home run in the draft or Durr finally gets healthy and lives up to their potential. Even then they are not a contender until a they get a much better post rotation.
Lmao the last player the Dream would ever sign is Marina Mabrey. And no we are not throwing big money at her. We won’t be signing anyone who doesn’t understand that this is Rhyne Howard’s team. And even if Durr is healthy. Caldwell and Kristy Wallace are still both better players and prospects. I had to come join the Dream hate is becoming too much.
Welcome aboard! Comin' in hot, too. I do think the Dream probably don't need another guard – that said, they do need more talent around Rhyne Howard in general, albeit mostly in the post. IMO y'all ought to go after Brionna Jones, Azurá Stevens, and Teaira McCowan in that order. If ya want Tina Charles – Tanisha Wright did play with her in New York – ya may have to offer her some money, so maybe that's not really the right fit at that point. I think a change of scenery would do Monique Billings some good, but I'd be a little surprised if she didn't re-sign, even as she's probably not a true 5 like the others seem to be.
Agree about Atlanta. I think Mabrey may be the best player the Dream can actually sign if they throw a big enough offer in her direction. If so they probably just sneak into the playoffs, unless they hit a home run in the draft or Durr finally gets healthy and lives up to their potential. Even then they are not a contender until a they get a much better post rotation.
Lmao I promise you the absolute last player the Dream would ever sign is Marina Mabrey. Not throwing big money at her. We won’t be signing anyone who doesn’t understand that Rhyne Howard is the franchise player on this team. We already have enough chuckers at Guard( Aari, AD, Erica) don’t need another one. And even if Durr is healthy. Caldwell and Kristy Wallace are still both better players and prospects. AD can’t guard a cone on defense. Dream main needs are a facilitator at PG, and a dominant center on defense and the boards. As well as someone who can take attention off of Rhyne so that she can get easier shots and won’t have to work so hard on offense every game because there would be more than Cheyenne who is a threat consistently on offense…The Dream almost made the playoffs on the back off the ROY with half the team out all season long. I promise you they won’t need to “sneak into the playoffs” next season.
The Dream need help inside the most. I liked how Hillmon progresses throughout the season. Lock in Parker, Billings & Hillmon and add from there. Their biggest question is Hayes. Also, welcome to the the boards dreamfan12
Lmao the last player the Dream would ever sign is Marina Mabrey. And no we are not throwing big money at her. We won’t be signing anyone who doesn’t understand that this is Rhyne Howard’s team. And even if Durr is healthy. Caldwell and Kristy Wallace are still both better players and prospects. I had to come join the Dream hate is becoming too much.
Welcome aboard! Comin' in hot, too. I do think the Dream probably don't need another guard – that said, they do need more talent around Rhyne Howard in general, albeit mostly in the post. IMO y'all ought to go after Brionna Jones, Azurá Stevens, and Teaira McCowan in that order. If ya want Tina Charles – Tanisha Wright did play with her in New York – ya may have to offer her some money, so maybe that's not really the right fit at that point. I think a change of scenery would do Monique Billings some good, but I'd be a little surprised if she didn't re-sign, even as she's probably not a true 5 like the others seem to be.
I don’t know how to feel about Jones and Azure tbh. I feel like we need someone who is a damn good defender and rebounder next to Cheyenne. I don’t think either of them fit that. I think we could Move Rhyne to SG. And go after a wing/SF type. And, I think I might be the only Dream fan who does not want Billings back. She is not very good. And, I feel like her and Naz do the same thing. Which isn’t much tbh.
Lmao I promise you the absolute last player the Dream would ever sign is Marina Mabrey. Not throwing big money at her. We won’t be signing anyone who doesn’t understand that Rhyne Howard is the franchise player on this team. We already have enough chuckers at Guard( Aari, AD, Erica) don’t need another one. And even if Durr is healthy. Caldwell and Kristy Wallace are still both better players and prospects. AD can’t guard a cone on defense. Dream main needs are a facilitator at PG, and a dominant center on defense and the boards. As well as someone who can take attention off of Rhyne so that she can get easier shots and won’t have to work so hard on offense every game because there would be more than Cheyenne who is a threat consistently on offense…The Dream almost made the playoffs on the back off the ROY with half the team out all season long. I promise you they won’t need to “sneak into the playoffs” next season.
The Dream need help inside the most. I liked how Hillmon progresses throughout the season. Lock in Parker, Billings & Hillmon and add from there. Their biggest question is Hayes. Also, welcome to the the boards dreamfan12
I agree about needing help in the post. But I don’t know if I would throw big money at Jones. Or even Stevens who is kinda injury prone. I’m really ok with Hayes not coming back. It’s time to close that door. She is always late and is always hurt. She is just not worth wasting cap space and a roster spot on. Especially with the priority clause coming into play next season. We need to go after some Wing scoring help for Rhyne as well.
I don’t know how to feel about Jones and Azurá tbh. I feel like we need someone who is a damn good defender and rebounder next to Cheyenne. I don’t think either of them fit that. I think we could move Rhyne to SG. And go after a wing/SF type. And, I think I might be the only Dream fan who does not want Billings back. She is not very good. And, I feel like her and Naz do the same thing. Which isn’t much tbh.
Agree about Billings & Hillmon – Dream should just keep Hillmon who’ll still be cheap for the next few years and let Billings walk. They just seem too similar to make sense on the same roster.
Howard as a SG is interesting, even as that’s basically what she is offensively. It’s early enough in Howard’s career – probably worth a try.
As for the center situation, there isn’t much out there that’s more realistic than a BJones or Stevens in free agency. I wonder what the #8 or a package that included it could get the Dream in a trade.
And I would wonder if there’s anything the Dream could offer Indiana for the #1, but I think it’d have to include Howard and I just don’t see that happening. Otherwise if they were open to it, Howard + the #3 could honestly get it done.
Thoughts on the Dream taking Joens or Kitley at 3? Who would you want if Boston & Miller were gone by then?
I don’t know how to feel about Jones and Azurá tbh. I feel like we need someone who is a damn good defender and rebounder next to Cheyenne. I don’t think either of them fit that. I think we could move Rhyne to SG. And go after a wing/SF type. And, I think I might be the only Dream fan who does not want Billings back. She is not very good. And, I feel like her and Naz do the same thing. Which isn’t much tbh.
Agree about Billings & Hillmon – Dream should just keep Hillmon who’ll still be cheap for the next few years and let Billings walk. They just seem too similar to make sense on the same roster.
Howard as a SG is interesting, even as that’s basically what she is offensively. It’s early enough in Howard’s career – probably worth a try.
As for the center situation, there isn’t much out there that’s more realistic than a BJones or Stevens in free agency. I wonder what the #8 or a package that included it could get the Dream in a trade.
And I would wonder if there’s anything the Dream could offer Indiana for the #1, but I think it’d have to include Howard and I just don’t see that happening. Otherwise if they were open to it, Howard + the #3 could honestly get it done.
Thoughts on the Dream taking Joens or Kitley at 3? Who would you want if Boston & Miller were gone by then?
Howard is the only player on the roster who’s untouchable. Everyone else would be fair game. I absolutely love Boston. But not enough to do that. And, I think Tanisha and Dan should be fired into the sun if they draft either of those two players at number three lol. I think it’s possible Kitley could be there at 8. And if not we will probably try to pick up a Center in Free Age cy.
Dream should try to bring back Kalani Brown on the cheap. I’m confident she would’ve been in the league last year (maybe even won a championship with Vegas whom she had signed with) had she not torn her meniscus. She’s currently tearin' it up in Israel these days, so if she ends the season healthy she could be a great pickup for someone.
Last Edit: Dec 29, 2022 23:02:51 GMT -5 by Deleted
I have watched a fair bit of Stephanie Mavunga in Euroleague. Her strengths are excellent rebounding and good defensive motor. The main concern is that her offensive inside game is average and I am unsure there is big demand for a defensively oriented undersized 5 (she is only 6’3). I don’t think she can defend on the perimeter in the WNBA which limits her defensive utility. If Mavunga was a few inches taller, she would be a more attractive prospect.
re: Kalani Brown, I have been wondering why a lauded college center like her has been struggling to stick in the WNBA (besides the injuries of course). I watched a Eurocup game she was in and noted she struggled a bit in the post with a Euro center her size. But she did all the other post things ok and I can see her in the mix for a bench post role. There may be a few big post college prospects available in the draft so it will be interesting to see how Brown compares to them.