2024 WNBA Season: Part 2 (August ---)

[RSHERMVIKES]

If she wants a great chance to win the CT Sun seem the best chance of the 3!

 

[Geew1992]

If she wants a great chance to win the CT Sun seem the best chance of the 3!

CT isn’t one of the 3

 

[Dillon77]

Kevin Pelton of ESPN has thought up a trade between Seattle and LA with G. Williams/V. Vivians in mind:

Seattle Storm get: Forward Azura Stevens
Los Angeles Sparks get: Forward Victoria Vivians, center Mercedes Russell, 2025 first-round pick

Here's a link to the article, which has (much) more detail on that proposed trade and four possible others, which include some other Husky alums (KLS, LLS).

Five WNBA trades we want to see before the deadline

The trade deadline looms. Will Indiana reshuffle around Caitlin Clark? Is Dallas on the verge of a move? Could Azura Stevens end up in Las Vegas?

www.espn.com

 

[JellyBean]

Kevin Pelton of ESPN has thought up a trade between Seattle and LA with G. Williams/V. Vivians in mind:

Seattle Storm get: Forward Azura Stevens
Los Angeles Sparks get: Forward Victoria Vivians, center Mercedes Russell, 2025 first-round pick

Here's a link to the article, which has (much) more detail on that proposed trade and four possible others, which include some other Husky alums (KLS, LLS).

Five WNBA trades we want to see before the deadline

The trade deadline looms. Will Indiana reshuffle around Caitlin Clark? Is Dallas on the verge of a move? Could Azura Stevens end up in Las Vegas?

www.espn.com

There are some interesting trade ideas.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Azura is not the inside player that Mercedes is, but she's probably a better player overall. If Seattle adds Azura and Gabby, they will have an excellent roster.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Kevin Pelton of ESPN has thought up a trade between Seattle and LA with G. Williams/V. Vivians in mind:

Seattle Storm get: Forward Azura Stevens
Los Angeles Sparks get: Forward Victoria Vivians, center Mercedes Russell, 2025 first-round pick

Here's a link to the article, which has (much) more detail on that proposed trade and four possible others, which include some other Husky alums (KLS, LLS).

Five WNBA trades we want to see before the deadline

The trade deadline looms. Will Indiana reshuffle around Caitlin Clark? Is Dallas on the verge of a move? Could Azura Stevens end up in Las Vegas?

www.espn.com

I'd like to see Lou II land someplace where she gets playing time. Who needs outside shooting?

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

CT isn’t one of the 3

Geew1992- - - Gosh I meant NY and typed CT!
DON"T GET OLD!
THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO LOSE!

 

[cancontent]

Guess this was expected. Too bad.

 

[cancontent]

Update. Billings was also released.

 

[Baller29]

Sims is gonna be a major steal for someone. Dallas loss

 

[baggerbob]

I'd imagine Nika would get cut to make space for Gabby. And Sue IS a part owner for Seattle so still involved with the team. I do think Seattle is the most likely landing spot for miss Wiliams but the place where I would be most uninterested in seeing her land.

Actually New York gives her a good chance to play a lot, and she would be the starting point guard next year.
Plus at this stage of her career, Sloot probably wants a championship more then starting the rest of the year.
Seattle has Skylar and Loyd, both have the ball a lot.

 

[GirlBoo1020]

Actually New York gives her a good chance to play a lot, and she would be the starting point guard next year.
Plus at this stage of her career, Sloot probably wants a championship more then starting the rest of the year.
Seattle has Skylar and Loyd, both have the ball a lot.

Nika is not at a level where she could start in the WNBA or play significant minutes for a title contending team. Still many years away from that in my opinion, if it happens at all.

 

[Dillon77]

Update. Billings was also released.

@MilfordHusky

Going back to the Kevin Pelton ESPN proposed trade articles, it addresses what Dallas does when all their injured players come back and trying to keep Odyssey Sims, who has really helped. Plus it addresses trying to get Lou Lopez Senechal some court time. Here's his suggestion.

Los Angeles Sparks get: Forward Lou Lopez Senechal, 2026 second-round pick
Dallas Wings get: 2026 third-round pick.

So, will Dallas GM work the phones to free up some space for Sims? Or will this be a case of yo-yoing Odyssey once again? Stay tuned for Mr. Bibb's next move.

 

[MilfordHusky]

@MilfordHusky

Going back to the Kevin Pelton ESPN proposed trade articles, it addresses what Dallas does when all their injured players come back and trying to keep Odyssey Sims, who has really helped. Plus it addresses trying to get Lou Lopez Senechal some court time. Here's his suggestion.

Los Angeles Sparks get: Forward Lou Lopez Senechal, 2026 second-round pick
Dallas Wings get: 2026 third-round pick.

So, will Dallas GM work the phones to free up some space for Sims? Or will this be a case of yo-yoing Odyssey once again? Stay tuned for Mr. Bibb's next move.

Billings and Sims were waived, per the league rules on hardship contracts. Both of them, especially Sims, have had some great games. I'm not sure what Dallas can do to extend Odyssey. I wouldn't be surprised if LLS gets moved. She hasn't had much opportunity in Dallas.

 

[Dillon77]

Billings and Sims were waived, per the league rules on hardship contracts. Both of them, especially Sims, have had some great games. I'm not sure what Dallas can do to extend Odyssey. I wouldn't be surprised if LLS gets moved. She hasn't had much opportunity in Dallas.

If I read Pelton's explanation correctly, Dallas needs to free up cap space by moving one of the players who has a guaranteed contract: hence, trading LLS.

Sims and Billings have played very well for the Wings. However, Satou Sabally -- although a forward -- handles the ball a lot and has a high usage rate. Plus, Maddy Siegrist had been playing a bunch prior to her injury. Stay tuned.

 

[cancontent]

Like we didn't see this coming . At the same time, this is manageable driving distance for me so I may consider making an attempt to get tickets.

 

[GoChips20]

With all the attention on Indiana this year, I’m curious about your opinions on NaLyssa Smith and what her trajectory/potential is. When she entered the league I thought she might develop into a Natasha Howard-esque do-everything forward but it hasn’t come together yet. It’s certainly still early and she’s also had to adjust to a new role on the team in each of her three seasons but just want to know what folks think as of today.

 

[cancontent]

With all the attention on Indiana this year, I’m curious about your opinions on NaLyssa Smith and what her trajectory/potential is. When she entered the league I thought she might develop into a Natasha Howard-esque do-everything forward but it hasn’t come together yet. It’s certainly still early and she’s also had to adjust to a new role on the team in each of her three seasons but just want to know what folks think as of today.

That's a good question and I've wondered about it as well.

Offensively, she looks like she's starting to figure things out with Boston and Clark in her new role this year. Consistency has been an issue but she's also been moved in and out of the starting unit as well. Does she need to be a starter to get into a flow? I don't know but I think she would be better coming off the bench right now.
Defensively, I throw my hands up because I can't figure out why it's an issue.

 

[Dillon77]

That's a good question and I've wondered about it as well.

Offensively, she looks like she's starting to figure things out with Boston and Clark in her new role this year. Consistency has been an issue but she's also been moved in and out of the starting unit as well. Does she need to be a starter to get into a flow? I don't know but I think she would be better coming off the bench right now.
Defensively, I throw my hands up because I can't figure out why it's an issue.

Per @GoChips20 question on Ms. Smith, Kevin Pelton has some definite thoughts on this, which is why he includes her in his proposed trades. First, reasoning:

"That has made Smith, the No. 2 pick in 2022, something of a tricky fit. Smith's best skill, volume scoring, is no longer as useful for the Fever with Clark and Boston leading the offense," writes Pelton. "Her 11.6 points per game are a career low. And Smith's defensive limitations caused Indiana coach Christie Sides to briefly demote her from the starting lineup....As a result now might be the time to restructure around Clark and Boston."

Proposed trade:

Indiana Fever get: Guard Brittney Sykes, forward Myisha Hines-Allen, 2026 second-round pick
Washington Mystics get: Forwards Katie Lou Samuelson and NaLyssa Smith, center Victaria Saxton, 2026 first-round pick

Hines-Allen can be a chameleon; doing whatever is required at the moment.

Besides opening up space in the frontcourt for Boston, Pelton wants to winnow out the small-forward overstocking GM Lin Dunn did with KLS, Wallace and Lexie Hull.

​

 

[cancontent]

Per @GoChips20 question on Ms. Smith, Kevin Pelton has some definite thoughts on this, which is why he includes her in his proposed trades. First, reasoning:

"That has made Smith, the No. 2 pick in 2022, something of a tricky fit. Smith's best skill, volume scoring, is no longer as useful for the Fever with Clark and Boston leading the offense," writes Pelton. "Her 11.6 points per game are a career low. And Smith's defensive limitations caused Indiana coach Christie Sides to briefly demote her from the starting lineup....As a result now might be the time to restructure around Clark and Boston."

Proposed trade:

Indiana Fever get: Guard Brittney Sykes, forward Myisha Hines-Allen, 2026 second-round pick
Washington Mystics get: Forwards Katie Lou Samuelson and NaLyssa Smith, center Victaria Saxton, 2026 first-round pick

Hines-Allen can be a chameleon; doing whatever is required at the moment.

Besides opening up space in the frontcourt for Boston, Pelton wants to winnow out the small-forward overstocking GM Lin Dunn did with KLS, Wallace and Lexie Hull.

​

This idea could make a lot of sense for Indiana, but I don't know about if it would for Washington.

How would Smith fit in on a roster that includes Edwards, Engstler, and Austin? And is it fair value considering what you're giving up in Sykes and Hines-Allen? Washington seems to be the loser in this deal from my perspective. They need someone like Sykes to balance out the guard rotation that they have with Vanloo, Karlie Samuelson and Melbourne.

 

[12au]

This idea could make a lot of sense for Indiana, but I don't know about if it would for Washington.

How would Smith fit in on a roster that includes Edwards, Engstler, and Austin? And is it fair value considering what you're giving up in Sykes and Hines-Allen? Washington seems to be the loser in this deal from my perspective. They need someone like Sykes to balance out the guard rotation that they have with Vanloo, Karlie Samuelson and Melbourne.

Yeah I don't get that side either. Thibault originally traded out of the No. 2 pick where Smith was selected to draft Austin instead. Doubt he covets her.

It could make sense from a rebuilding perspective though, since Sykes is 30 and Smith is 24 (and they get a future 1st). Dolson is also a better fit in the frontcourt w/ Smith than Boston.