*Copper will be 30 next August, so it's fair to assume that her peak years are behind her. (Not to say she won't continue to be very good, but she's unlikely to get better.) Last year, in fact, was the first her on-off numbers were negative and her defensive rating was the worst it's been in years.
*The willingness to give up the No. 3 pick suggests that Phoenix doesn't believe a long-term difference-maker will be there -- at least for Phoenix. If Bueckers doesn't come out and Clark is gone, Brink or Cardoso are superfluous as long as Griner keeps playing.
*Onyenwere and Turner both had PERs below 10, and Turner's on-off numbers were particularly bad. Some front-court defense has been lost, no doubt, but overall, Phoenix gave up very little in existing talent.
*The future draft picks tell me Phoenix is all-in to win while Griner is still a force.
*Chicago gets, well, a post to dream on. Phoenix is unlikely to land in the lottery in 2026 so the three picks will be the usual roll of the dice. Is Kamila Cardoso worth all this? Especially with Elizabeth Williams still on board? And she's only 30?
*Finally, EDD looks better and better in this lineup. Can the Mercury squeeze her under the salary cap or pay her enough outside income to make it work?
I believe Cunningham would be the player traded to Washington to free up cap space, but Phoenix has nothing left in trade assets. Possibly a third team gets involved?
Copper’s abrupt departure — four months after sitting next to Sky operating Chairman Nadia Rawlinson as she introduced new coach Teresa Weatherspoon — is another failure by ownership. When the team signed Copper to an extension at the end of the regular season, it was with the promise that the future of the franchise was headed in a better direction.
Six months after the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Sky are officially directionless.
Copper’s abrupt departure — four months after sitting next to Sky operating Chairman Nadia Rawlinson as she introduced new coach Teresa Weatherspoon — is another failure by ownership. When the team signed Copper to an extension at the end of the regular season, it was with the promise that the future of the franchise was headed in a better direction.
Six months after the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Sky are officially directionless.
I feel bad for Spoon here. There is no way this was what they sold her on when she took the job. Get out will you can Spoon!
i actually like that the Sky did this for their own sake, though i dislike that Phoenix was ultimately the beneficiary.
yikes if the Sky organization had a falling out with Copper though.
When Copper re-signed, they promised her they were building a competitive team. Williams and Smith left for Minnesota and they didn't get Nneka or SDS. So I don't blame Copper for wanting out
i don’t blame her either. Phoenix was poised to finish higher than Chicago even before this trade, so Copper should be able to move on emotionally once it all plays out.
i assume Mabrey’s feeling ok since she’s now surrounded by multiple former Notre Dame teammates, but maybe she’s not. i also continue to wonder about Azurá Stevens in LA.
Post by bluedevilsdsufan5 on Feb 6, 2024 15:33:09 GMT -5
Wowwwww Phoenix looking scary. They need another big though. I’m fine starting Bec at the 4 but she definitely shouldn’t play all her minutes there, guarding the likes of A’ja or Stewie.
Glad Chicago is going the rebuild route! I hope they get a good one at #3.
Be kind to yourself, the way you expect others to be kind to you.
Glad Chicago is going the rebuild route! I hope they get a good one at #3.
me too. people were freaking out about this deal which i don’t get why. Chicago wasn’t gonna do anything this year once they lost out on signing Nneka, so why not rebuild a little by acquiring a lottery pick? the chances of them being in the lottery next year due to their pick swap with Dallas was always gonna be real slim, too. Cardoso would be a good pick. now they just have to get rid of one more post veteran’s contract for perhaps another pick of some sort and they’ll be sitting pretty.
Glad Chicago is going the rebuild route! I hope they get a good one at #3.
me too. people were freaking out about this deal which i don’t get why. Chicago wasn’t gonna do anything this year once they lost out on signing Nneka, so why not rebuild a little by acquiring a lottery pick? the chances of them being in the lottery next year due to their pick swap with Dallas was always gonna be real slim, too. Cardoso would be a good pick. now they just have to get rid of one more post veteran’s contract for perhaps another pick of some sort and they’ll be sitting pretty.
Exactly! Copper is great, but she wasn’t taking this squad anywhere.
Now they can build around #3, hopefully 6’7 Cardoso (long shot Brink or Bueckers), 27yo Mabrey through 2025 at least, RFA youngins Evans and Onyenwere, the #13 pick (Amoore or Puoch or Borlase?). And the cap sheet is clean next offseason so potentially add some stars then for a quicker rebuild potentially.
Also hope that Dallas falls behind new super teams Phoenix, Seattle (and Atlanta?). So they won’t get their 2025 lottery pick but maybe a 6th or 7th (assuming GS/Bay Area gets 5th pick).
Be kind to yourself, the way you expect others to be kind to you.