Stewie to Minnesota for nothing. She’s coming for less than the max due to her liking Cheryl and her style after seeing what she would do with her at the Worlds. Bookmark me 😜
formerly pickdiamondmillerchallenge lol formerly dmillerturnprochallenge ha formerly bostonturnprochallenge lol
If our ceiling were the 8th seed, I’d just prefer getting the 9th seed
Though in 2019 without Sue & Stew (and Loyd had a worse-than-average year), we still finished 6th. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ But nah, Stewie’s not gonna demand the supermax to go to NY when she’d only be signing for one year
If Stewie’s really enamored with the idea of playing under Cheryl Reeve since there’s already been some exposure with USA Basketball, then I won’t discount it. The timing doesn’t seem right, cuz I don’t think signing Stewart on its own (plus drafting #2) would be enough to make Minnesota an instant contender again. I think Duwelius & Reeve would have to really convince her they’ll be able to make other good moves in free agency as well.
I think the Russell vs Magbegor issue is something Seattle needs to address. They are competing for minutes at the same position, which isn't optimal. You *could* play Magbegor at the 4 (especially if Stewart leaves) and it may assist in developing her shooting range and face up game, but Seattle fans are going to have to endure some pretty ugly play from her and a cramped frontline with no spacing. And there's no guarantee that her shooting and face up game will develop either! I don't foresee much development from Russell in the future - she's pretty straightforward as a center. You could split minutes between them at center but this doesn't benefit anybody, especially Magbegor. In terms of trading them, Magbegor definitely has more trade value but does Seattle really want to trade such a prospect? Her ceiling is pretty high IMO and she's only 23 - nowhere near her peak yet. Russell is the more likely trade option but her contract of 160k/year over 2 years is a disincentive and she is coming off an injury year. I can't see many other teams being keen on her until they see what she does in 2023.
It's a tough one for Seattle. I suspect we'll see more of Magbegor at the 4 in the short term and Seattle hopes she can develop there.
I think Magbegor’s better off developing as a 4, specifically as it pertains to her offense. But I think her previously mentioned high ceiling could allow her to eventually just switch back & forth between both post positions as needed – assuming she meets her ceiling, which I think she will. But if Stewart leaves and Loyd gets traded, she’ll be the star of the show, so I’m more concerned about what kind of players will be around her.
& in case it wasn’t clear, I should add – a Magbegor/Russell starting post tandem needs to be attempted if Stewart leaves. Won’t know until we try. I’ll just assume Russell’s debilitating headaches issue will subside by then. Maybe we’ll see her play in AU again this year? I’ll be a bit nervous if we don’t…
Last Edit: Jan 17, 2023 13:44:09 GMT -5 by Deleted
Magbegor at the 4 is not unreasonable. She made 10 of 29 threes last year, and was 45/45 A/TO. With her length and athleticism, she should be able to stay in front of most stretch fours and even some more wing-like players if the opponents go small.
this post is not a news-oriented one, so your heart rate can start relaxing now – no need to change out your pacemakers @ some of y'all
beyond whatever Stewart (and Sloot) rumors are out there, i'm still wondering what the hell we do at PG, since we clearly need multiple players to fill in a couple spots – it's not every day that the only two PGs on the roster from the previous year elect to retire
did overseas research based on who's having good scoring and/or distributing season overseas
didn't feel like including any international players outside of Aussies ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
those who are more knowledgeable than i can feel free to pick out their favorites, or just single out who amongst these players aren't actually PGs – i'm sure not every single player listed is
name, age
HARD NO
• Jordin Canada, 27 (that 3pt jump shot is never coming) • Kristi Toliver, 35 (retire already!)
If we're contending
• Courtney Vandersloot, 33 (for any price – though i kiiiiinda want her to finish her career in Chicago) • Marina Mabrey, 26 (whatever Dallas won't match – we're not trying to trade things away for her) • Natisha Hiedeman, 25 (same as Mabrey's, but as it relates to Connecticut) • Moriah Jefferson, 28 (no more than $160k – i still don't trust her knees, but she has shown she can still shoot) • Erica Wheeler, 31 (no more than $140k – hope last year was just an off year)
Possible Aussie 'mates' for Ezi
• Jade Melbourne, 20 (whom we currently hold the rights to, of course) • Shyla Heal, 21 (forever & always a [former] 1st-rounder) • Maddison Rocci, 24 • Stephanie Reid, 26 • Lauren Mansfield, 33
My preferred Camp options
• Destiny Slocum, 25 (i've always liked her ever since her Maryland days lmao) • Lindsay Allen, 27 (someone's gonna snap her up this year – hope it's us!) • Alexis Peterson, 27 (we once drafted her, she's still surviving & thriving; let's see how she's grown the past few years) • Jazmine Davis, 29 (still so proud that she has worked her way up to the Turkish league 💜💛) • Sydney Colson, 33 (she didn't [have to] do much in Vegas last year, but imo she still has stuff left in the tank as a backup – also, just like, her as a person lmao)
Yvonne Anderson is the most intriguing out of the other potential camp options. I don't think she got a fair shake in Connecticut last year. She's a proven player in Europe and FIBA national team competition level. She won't be affected by Prioritization this year or next due to only having one year of WNBA service. She's more of a scoring point guard than a distributing one. I'd say her most obvious weakness is a streaky three point shot and she can be turnover prone.
Out of the Australian point guard options, Reid is the best point guard atm. She leads the WNBL in assists and steals and runs the pick and roll very well. She does most of the point guard things well, but concerns are her size (she's only 5'6) and her three point shooting (not good at 28%). She's worth a look at training camp, at least.
Jade Melbourne has massive upside but I don't think she's ready to be a point guard in the WNBA just yet. She's literally playing her first full year playing the point in the WNBL and it's been rough because she plays on the worst team in the WNBL with minimal veteran guard presence to assist her (her backcourt partner is the even younger Shaneice Swain). If Seattle are happy to have her warming the bench and learning for a year, sure come over. If not, I think she would be better served to come over in 2024 or 2025 when her game will be more polished.