2023 WNBA Free Agency

[Dillon77]

From Dearica Hamby:

“To be treated this way by an organization, BY WOMEN who are mothers, who have claimed to ‘be in these shoes,’ who preach family, chemistry, and women’s empowerment is disappointing and leaves me sick to my stomach. We fought for provisions [in the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA)] that would finally support and protect player parents,” Hamby wrote.

While Hamby sharply criticized the Aces organization in her post, she thanked her teammates, the fans and the city of Las Vegas. “The love for me, my daughter, my family, and even my unborn has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated,” she wrote. “I gave everything I had, and up until the disgusting comments that were made to me, I fought to stay here and tried to be amicable.”

Hmm....I'm guessing Hamby is referring to Nikki Caldwell and Nalalie Williams., who are now on the clock to do some explainin'

Say what you want about Bill Laimbeer, but I don't think he'd pull this move on his players...

 

[hoopsnloops32]

From Dearica Hamby:

“To be treated this way by an organization, BY WOMEN who are mothers, who have claimed to ‘be in these shoes,’ who preach family, chemistry, and women’s empowerment is disappointing and leaves me sick to my stomach. We fought for provisions [in the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA)] that would finally support and protect player parents,” Hamby wrote.

While Hamby sharply criticized the Aces organization in her post, she thanked her teammates, the fans and the city of Las Vegas. “The love for me, my daughter, my family, and even my unborn has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated,” she wrote. “I gave everything I had, and up until the disgusting comments that were made to me, I fought to stay here and tried to be amicable.”

Hmm....I'm guessing Hamby is referring to Nikki Caldwell and Nalalie Williams., who are now on the clock to do some explainin'

Say what you want about Bill Laimbeer, but I don't think he'd pull this move on his players...

And Hammon.

 

[socal613ws]

As a Ace fan, sad to see Hamby go.



Sorry arse franchise, doesn't matter if they bring in Tom Brady or not. They could bring in Wayne Brady...Rich Gannon, Jim Plunkett... wouldn't matter.

could be worse, we coulda given an 8 year deal to a college coach and fire him after 3 seasons.

 

[cancontent]

could be worse, we coulda given an 8 year deal to a college coach and fire him after 3 seasons.

Ummmmm didn't Gruden have a 10 year contract and get fired? Haven't heard any updates on the lawsuit lately.

 

[cancontent]

If this is, indeed, a move made to free up cap space in order to find a replacement for the player who created the need -- because of pregnancy -- then that's draconian. It's also a policy that should change in the WNBA. If a player is pregnant, why should that count against the cap for that year? Yes, I know the Aces are up against the cap, but -- holy crow -- this has been one of the key drivers of the team.

I just saw this article on ESPNw and see that Hamby expressed some angst about...??

"In June, the Aces announced the had signed Hamby to a two-year contract extension. But there were signs that something might be amiss this week when Hamby -- who during the Aces' victory parade announced she is pregnant -- tweeted, "Imagine expressing your fears as a woman and being pregnant in this profession/world.... Then to be reassured that you were supported.. and your back was "had".... only to then be used against you.""

Dearica Hamby claims Aces 'unethical' after trade to Sparks

Dearica Hamby was traded from the Las Vegas Aces to the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday, while alleging that her former organization treated her in an "unprofessional and unethical way that ... has been traumatizing" due to her pregnancy.

www.espn.com

Draconian yes, however this is commonplace still in this day and age. I've read articles about Canadian female athletes who lost their funding while pregnant as it was classified as an "injury". It's unfortunate too as female professional athletes take a risk in delaying having children, if they want to bear the child, to be able to compete.

Here's a link to a recent article about a professional soccer player who had to sue her club for discrimination. For as much as there is talk about equality for women, the action doesn't show up as much as we'd like to believe.

How an Icelandic footballer has changed the game for pregnant players everywhere

Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir sets a precedent for pregnant players everywhere, suing her club Olympique Lyonnais for pregnancy discrimination.

www.abc.net.au

 

[visitingcock]

Legally? She’s got nothing.

As a union grievance? We’ll see.

 

[Dillon77]

Legally? She’s got nothing.

As a union grievance? We’ll see.

Points taken, but here's where people think this move could swing back at the Aces:

(From Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats):

"Maybe the Aces simply felt that their roster situation meant they had to make a move and that this was a business decision. The problem with that is that reputation means a lot in this league. It's a very small community where everyone talks to everyone, and secrets don't stay secret for very long. If you treat players well, or treat them poorly, that information travels through the player base (and their agents) like wildfire.

"...they've traded someone away who's well-liked around the league and clearly didn't appreciate being moved, or her treatment around that move. That could make it significantly more difficult to get players and agents to trust them in the future."

Stay tuned.

 

[nwhoopfan]

So...players get to demand a trade whenever they want and force lopsided deals for their former team (JJ is just the latest of many), but if a player gets traded who didn't want to be then there is hell to pay? Just checking.

 

[cancontent]

So...players get to demand a trade whenever they want and force lopsided deals for their former team (JJ is just the latest of many), but if a player gets traded who didn't want to be then there is hell to pay? Just checking.

You're not even stating the full situation. What is being questioned is what Hamby is claiming, which is her pregnancy is being used against her when Vegas said it wasn't a problem.

Hell to pay? No. Some ethical questions about what was communicated and understood, yes. Why shouldn't it be investigated to make sure Vegas followed protocol?

 

[nwhoopfan]

You're not even stating the full situation. What is being questioned is what Hamby is claiming, which is her pregnancy is being used against her when Vegas said it wasn't a problem.

Hell to pay? No. Some ethical questions about what was communicated and understood, yes. Why shouldn't it be investigated to make sure Vegas followed protocol?

I've followed the thread, I'm aware of Hamby's pregnancy and her tweets. I was responding to this:

"...they've traded someone away who's well-liked around the league and clearly didn't appreciate being moved, or her treatment around that move. That could make it significantly more difficult to get players and agents to trust them in the future."

Seems like it should be a two way street. But as has been proven repeatedly, organizations can't necessarily trust players or their agents. But that is a tangent to what's happening with Hamby.

 

[cancontent]

I've followed the thread, I'm aware of Hamby's pregnancy and her tweets. I was responding to this:


Seems like it should be a two way street. But as has been proven repeatedly, organizations can't necessarily trust players or their agents. But that is a tangent to what's happening with Hamby.

1). Had you included Dillon77's quote, it would have helped with your reply.

2). If you're saying it's a two way street then shouldn't the same be said of the organizations? They're just as culpable when it comes to trust.

 

[nwhoopfan]

2). If you're saying it's a two way street then shouldn't the same be said of the organizations? They're just as culpable when it comes to trust.

In the end I think most everyone looks out for their own best interest, be it an individual or an organization. Trust is nice, but it definitely gets set aside when it isn't convenient.

 

[triaddukefan]

could be worse, we coulda given an 8 year deal to a college coach and fire him after 3 seasons.

As opposed to given a 10 year deal to a washed up coach, only to have him resign in disgrace after a little over 3 years? As opposed to having a franchise that has no playoff wins in 20 years? As opposed to going through a stretch of 14 different head coaches in 25 years? That's much worse. Poverty Franchise.

 

[cancontent]

In the end I think most everyone looks out for their own best interest, be it an individual or an organization. Trust is nice, but it definitely gets set aside when it isn't convenient.

That's fair however initial reply came across differentlty to me. I got the impression you believe that players were less trustworthy. I can't see how that could be possible.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Legally? She’s got nothing.

As a union grievance? We’ll see.

Legally she has a pretty strong case as it’s not the trading that’s the issue but the harassment. Women, specifically pregnant women, are a protected class in employment laws.

 

[nwhoopfan]

That's fair however initial reply came across differentlty to me. I got the impression you believe that players were less trustworthy. I can't see how that could be possible.

Okay, didn't mean it that way. Just that organizations shouldn't be held to some different standard than the players apply to themselves.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Okay, didn't mean it that way. Just that organizations shouldn't be held to some different standard than the players apply to themselves.

I don’t think anyone was saying they do. But when you get a reputation for harassing and discriminating against a pregnant player, you’ll get a reputation that will sink you. Similarly players who get reputations for being difficult to coach or play won’t get picked up by organizations in the future.

 

[visitingcock]

Legally she has a pretty strong case as it’s not the trading that’s the issue but the harassment. Women, specifically pregnant women, are a protected class in employment laws.

Women discriminating against pregnant women? Protected class discriminating against a protected class? have seen no facts that indicate “harassment.”

It’s management vs labor.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Women discriminating against pregnant women? Protected class discriminating against a protected class? have seen no facts that indicate “harassment.”

It’s management vs labor.

Is this a joke? Yes women can be sued for discriminating against other women. The laws aren’t about who is doing the discriminating it’s about who is discriminated again. If the allegations are true, Danica definitely has a case imo. It’s employment law 101z

 

[visitingcock]

Is this a joke? Yes women can be sued for discriminating against other women. The laws aren’t about who is doing the discriminating it’s about who is discriminated again. If the allegations are true, Danica definitely has a case imo. It’s employment law 101z

Yes. Employment. Law 191. Not civil rights law 101.

 

[socal613ws]

As opposed to given a 10 year deal to a washed up coach, only to have him resign in disgrace after a little over 3 years? As opposed to having a franchise that has no playoff wins in 20 years? As opposed to going through a stretch of 14 different head coaches in 25 years? That's much worse. Poverty Franchise.

remind me where is your super bowl? oops

 

[darrell]

 

[Geew1992]

The trade makes sense now

 

[bballnut90]

Vegas is locked and loaded. Starting 5 of Parker, Wilson, Young, Plum and Gray has to be among the best ever. 4 #1 draft picks plus Chelsea Gray. Anything less than a championship would be a major let down for this team.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Hmm. Parker blended her talents with what was already in place with the Sky to help them win a Championship, then have a really good regular season record the next year. She's definitely gonna have to do a lot of blending in Vegas. Probably even more so. She's definitely gonna have to fully embrace being a complimentary player and not a focal point of the offense.

 

[nickp91]

The Las Vegas Aces just gotten tougher! Super team status at this point

 

[Dillon77]

Well, as a few of us discussed when the Hamby trade was made, Amanda Zahui B. sure didn't look like the endgame.
Bingo. Going to assume this signing took up most of the money saved. Will the Aces attempt to sign Zahui B.? Or go in another direction for backing up Wilson and Parker? Stay tuned.

On the Chicago side of things, this could free up funds to keep 'Sloot in Chitown.

Well, first domino in free agency has tipped (I've been wondering when we'd hear something). Next one to fall?

https://www./news/candace-parker-chooses-las-vegas-aces-wnba-free-agency/

 

[bballnut90]

Hmm. Parker blended her talents with what was already in place with the Sky to help them win a Championship, then have a really good regular season record the next year. She's definitely gonna have to do a lot of blending in Vegas. Probably even more so. She's definitely gonna have to fully embrace being a complimentary player and not a focal point of the offense.

I think she's a great fit. She's never been a selfish player or someone who needs to get a certain number of shots per game to be happy. She played extremely well with Gray in LA and has thrived playing in Chicago's system which didn't revolve around any one player. In terms of playing style, she prefers being on the perimeter more as she's gotten older, and I think that compliments Wilson perfectly who is best playing in the post, but both are legitimate inside/out threats. Everyone in the starting 5 can knock down 3s, take opponents on the dribble, and most important, everyone is unselfish (Plum, Gray, Wilson and Parker all averaged between 4-6 assists per game).

If Stewie goes to NY we're going to have a couple of crazy loaded teams in the W this year with everyone else playing catch up.

 

[Coler]

Well, as a few of us discussed when the Hamby trade was made, Amanda Zahui B. sure didn't look like the endgame.
Bingo. Going to assume this signing took up most of the money saved. Will the Aces attempt to sign Zahui B.? Or go in another direction for backing up Wilson and Parker? Stay tuned.

On the Chicago side of things, this could free up funds to keep 'Sloot in Chitown.

Well, first domino in free agency has tipped (I've been wondering when we'd hear something). Next one to fall?

https://www./news/candace-parker-chooses-las-vegas-aces-wnba-free-agency/

Or this move means that Sloot is going to NY.

 

[baggerbob]

I think she's a great fit. She's never been a selfish player or someone who needs to get a certain number of shots per game to be happy. She played extremely well with Gray in LA and has thrived playing in Chicago's system which didn't revolve around any one player. In terms of playing style, she prefers being on the perimeter more as she's gotten older, and I think that compliments Wilson perfectly who is best playing in the post, but both are legitimate inside/out threats. Everyone in the starting 5 can knock down 3s, take opponents on the dribble, and most important, everyone is unselfish (Plum, Gray, Wilson and Parker all averaged between 4-6 assists per game).

If Stewie goes to NY we're going to have a couple of crazy loaded teams in the W this year with everyone else playing catc

Stewie, JJ, Vandersloot, Ionescu, would also be a good team. Johannes, Laney, Dolson, and Thornton make it a pretty good team.