I don't love this team even though they performed better than expected. A PG is still needed. Allen was better than expected so, sure, she can come back, but look for an upgraded starter.
Intriguing FAs: Skylar Diggins-Smith or Courtney Williams; Kalani Brown
Is Dantas gone for good? I don't even remember what happened to her...
Shepard is an asset, but often injured. I wish they could trade McBride for Mabrey and throw the Sky a 2nd/3rd round draft pick since they may be desperate for those.
Intriguing FAs: Skylar Diggins-Smith or Courtney Williams; Kalani Brown
Achonwa & Powers are safely gone, but i can see Banham & Carleton being brought back at camp deals since idk what other teams would be interested in either of them… meaning potentially another chance to make the roster again 🙃
Milić had a less involved year under regular contract than she did last year as [generally] a hardship player, but her production was decent so it’s hard to say. may depend on whether or not she’s interested in coming back to the States in general.
and i don’t care for Shepard & her injury-proneness myself, but i don’t really see a trade involving her or anyone else being necessary. Lynx have contending potential if y’all – for perhaps the first time in recent years – sign the right free agents.
Reeve somehow loves both Banham and Carleton, so I'd expect both back on a TC deal.
I've had players like that. They know what you expect, they do everything right and even though they lack talent, they help you more than hurt you.
This makes sense, especially with a Powers on the team who probably didn't help trust.
My main concern about losing both is they seem to be Collier's besties and I want her to stay happy in MN lol. I trust Banham more than Carleton, but keep Carleton and let Banham stay in Minneapolis but with her Gopher job all year.
Post by lynxmania on Sept 24, 2023 10:44:26 GMT -5
Okay here are my early thoughts:
Returning: Phee Diamond Dorka KMac Jess
Most Likely Returning: TMitchell Allen
Questionable: Banham Carleton
Gone: Powers Achonwa Milić
I think the 5 in my "Returning" section are obvious. The only one that I would like to see more of would be Jess (but she needs to be healthy).
The reason for TMitch not being in "Returning" and in the "Most Likely" is I feel like she would be someone we would/should consider offering up in a trade if given the opportunity. Allen is there because she would be a good backup off the bench, but if we could find a better option (via free agency/draft), I could see her gone.
My "Questionables" being Banham and Carleton depend on a few factors. Banham now has an assistant coaching job with the Gophers and perhaps she is seeing/has seen that she should focus on the next phase of her career and maybe her WNBA playing days are done. Carleton could maybe find another home because she does have value - BUT she seems to have found a home here and does seem to be productive (3rd highest scorer in the playoffs for us). But at 91k and a protected contract is not ideal - so take a pay cut. Plus like mentioned above me, her and Banham are well liked by Phee and if we are looking for high-quality/character end of benchers - then yes keep them!
My "Gones" again should be obvious. Powers can kick rocks on her way out tbh. Achonwa was a high risk signing that never paid off. Plus now we have Dorka. Milić is not trustworthy to be a contributor for us and I honestly think keeping her this year over some of our other training campers was a mistake. She can go (either overseas or to another team)
Needs: PG - Allen is a good backup, but we need to go after someone who Reeve will trust. So an experienced player/productive. If we can't get any of the players below, then look draft and maybe run back with Allen and a rookie? Not ideal, but maybe another stop gap year until 2025. High end/high money players: SDS or Cloud. Next level: Canada
SDS/Cloud: One of these would be my 1st major targets in the offseason. We need stability at this position and either would make me thrilled.
Canada: I think she stays in LA, but would be an interesting get. But she's small and Reeve doesn't seem to like small guards lol
Post - I don't care if it's a center or power forward, we need someone in the rotation that we can count on for production outside of Phee. Huge gets: Nneka, EDD, BJones, JJones Potentially more realistic: KBrown, Hawkins, Coffey
Nneka/JJones: I don't see them leaving, but would look nice next to Phee. Chance: 0.0001%
BJones: Cored last time, if she has more core times left, I would expect CT to do it again. Chance: 3%
EDD: While I know it sounds crazy, she said she's looking for someplace to win and will talk to her wife about their best options. Do I think she leaves DC? No. But imagining a Phee/EDD combo just feels amazing. I do also think we could offer her the rest/rehab that she may need too. Pipedream lol, but Phee's husband has also thrown this one out there lol
Next levels: Not as exciting, but they would be serviceable at a decent cost and not long-term
Shooting - Outside of KMac, I feel like we don't have a lot of consistent shooting. We need to find someone to come help out so that when teams double Phee, we can make them pay. Fits: RAllen, KarSamuelson, KLS
Now some of those are obviously unrealistic, but I feel like the options in the PG are obtainable for real. Depending on how some of the options in the post feel about the direction of their team/roles, maybe they would be willing to move. But if none of them come through, we need to see some big development from Diamond and Dorka in the offseason and see what we can find at #7 or I'm also wiling to trade #7 for a lot of reasons.
formerly pickdiamondmillerchallenge lol formerly dmillerturnprochallenge ha formerly bostonturnprochallenge lol
One very valuable trait for a player: Be in the right spot on the court.
You would be amazed how many players have difficulty doing that every time down the floor, and the pace of the WNBA means processing information quickly is a crucial skill. I would rather have a less skilled player in the right spot than a more skilled player in the wrong spot, especially when they are roleplayers, not stars. And "right spot" is precise. It's not just "in the area" -- it's on the exact spot.
So Phee can go where she wants. But Powers better be where she's supposed to be.
One very valuable trait for a player: Be in the right spot on the court.
You would be amazed how many players have difficulty doing that every time down the floor, and the pace of the WNBA means processing information quickly is a crucial skill. I would rather have a less skilled player in the right spot than a more skilled player in the right spot, especially when they are roleplayers, not stars. And "right spot" is precise. It's not just "in the area" -- it's on the exact spot.
So Phee can go where she wants. But Powers better be where she's supposed to be.
100% clay! I agree with you
formerly pickdiamondmillerchallenge lol formerly dmillerturnprochallenge ha formerly bostonturnprochallenge lol
I'd bring back Allen on the vet minimum and look for another post.
That's an interesting team. Veterans, as Reeve prefers, a star in Collier, and if Williams hits 44.3% of her threes again, plenty of perimeter shooting.
Can't afford an injury, and still not quite at NY or LV level, but definitely not an easy out in postseason.