2025 WNBA Off-Season

[TheFarmFan]

Phew. The Wings posted that she was playing overseas on X today. Taking that as a sign she'll be back in Dallas for training camp next year.

In fairness, they possess her rights, so there's literally no reason they wouldn't want her at training camp unless they trade her during the off-season. Which, of course, they still have 6+X months to do, where X=length of potential walkout.. Not taking anything away from her, but as everyone says "the W is a business," so they'll continue to promote her right up to the second they no longer want her on the team...

 

[Dillon77]

Moving to the Right/East Coast, Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats Offers an Off-Season Guide on The New York Liberty

Personnel Notes:

Free agents:

• Uncoreable unrestricted free agents: Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones
• Unrestricted free agents: Sabrina Ionescu, Natasha Cloud, Isabelle Harrison, Kennedy Burke, Emma Meesseman, Stephanie Talbot
• Reserved: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès

Under contract: Nyara Sabally, Leonie Fiebich.

2026 Draft Picks: Only have their own 3rd-round pick. (First went to Conn. for Natasha Cloud, Second to Chicago for Rebekah Gardner)
- Future Assets: Also, check out Cohen's tidbit on how Jon Kolb stockpiles players -- particularly international ones -- so he can build a roster even without a lot of draft choices (as this year). Link below.

2025-26 WNBA Offseason Guides: New York Liberty

Our series of offseason guides reaches the 2024 champions, who couldn't quite reach the same heights this year

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[Dillon77]

Way-too-early '26 Mock Draft from Michael Voepel

WNBA mock draft: Betts, Fudd or Miles at No. 1?

Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, Flau'Jae Johnson and Olivia Miles are projected 2026 lottery picks.

www.espn.com

Some Dillon Druthers:

- Actually, it's good to set a floorboard from someone who knows the components. Plus, it helped remind me of where some of these transfers ended up!

- Not surprisingly, Azzi Fudd and Serah Williams are highly rated.

- If Dallas lands the first pick, Paige B. will probably have a new center.

- Could easily see Miles fitting in with the Lynx. (Then again, most players could fit in with the Lynx.)

and some thoughts on the team that can get a lot (again) from the draft.

- The Washington Mystics dealt established talent to garner draft picks and, as a result, have three -- count 'em, 3 -- first-round picks to add to an already solid core of young players, including Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Shakira Austin, Lucy Olsen, Jacy Sheldon and Georgia Amoore, if she recuperates from her knee surgery.

Iriafen and Austin can both play low and run the court, so any front-court player they choose needs to be able to mesh with that style. It will be interesting to see Serah Williams on the court over the course of the NCAA season in that respect.

Getting another shooter to pair up with Citron, who led the W in three-pt. shooting this year, would stretch defenses. If Fudd slips just one place, would D.C. take her - a hometown kid -- to play with Citron (who could slide to wing)? That said, Kneepkens is the real deal and could also offer another killer three-shooter. As could Yarden Garzon, another great distance shooter who has length (6'3") and could play wing, leaving Citron at off-guard.

OK, this will undoubtedly change (a lot) over the course of the year, depending on who ends up where in the W and how some of these prospects fare, as well as ones who might play themselves into the picture.

 

[GamecockFam]

Way-too-early '26 Mock Draft from Michael Voepel

WNBA mock draft: Betts, Fudd or Miles at No. 1?

Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, Flau'Jae Johnson and Olivia Miles are projected 2026 lottery picks.

www.espn.com

Some Dillon Druthers:

- Actually, it's good to set a floorboard from someone who knows the components. Plus, it helped remind me of where some of these transfers ended up!

- Not surprisingly, Azzi Fudd and Serah Williams are highly rated.

- If Dallas lands the first pick, Paige B. will probably have a new center.

- Could easily see Miles fitting in with the Lynx. (Then again, most players could fit in with the Lynx.)

and some thoughts on the team that can get a lot (again) from the draft.

- The Washington Mystics dealt established talent to garner draft picks and, as a result, have three -- count 'em, 3 -- first-round picks to add to an already solid core of young players, including Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Shakira Austin, Lucy Olsen, Jacy Sheldon and Georgia Amoore, if she recuperates from her knee surgery.

Iriafen and Austin can both play low and run the court, so any front-court player they choose needs to be able to mesh with that style. It will be interesting to see Serah Williams on the court over the course of the NCAA season in that respect.

Getting another shooter to pair up with Citron, who led the W in three-pt. shooting this year, would stretch defenses. If Fudd slips just one place, would D.C. take her - a hometown kid -- to play with Citron (who could slide to wing)? That said, Kneepkens is the real deal and could also offer another killer three-shooter. As could Yarden Garzon, another great distance shooter who has length (6'3") and could play wing, leaving Citron at off-guard.

OK, this will undoubtedly change (a lot) over the course of the year, depending on who ends up where in the W and how some of these prospects fare, as well as ones who might play themselves into the picture.

It's so hard to determine the pick order since the league will look so different next year. With that noted, I have trouble with so many of those picks. I assume so many of those teams will resign their core playmakers so with that idea in mind...

1) The Lynx need more size. They have a good core group of forwards but they need a defensive chess piece against the likes of Boston, Cardoso, Betts, B Jones, J Jones, Malonga, etc. I think Barker or Okot makes more sense but it feels odd to select them so early but both have high ceilings so getting them as project players and developing their talent is a possibility.

2) Fudd to Seattle doesn't feel like a good fit either because she would be adding more offense at the expense of defense -- the exact opposite of what Seattle needs. If Miles is available, she would be a perfect fit to balance out Malonga as the future of that organization.

3) The Mystics have a glut of promising forwards. I think they need some insurance at PG or have some scoring to balance out Citron. Fam makes no sense. If we're looking at best available guard, possibly Fudd or Latson makes sense. If they want a PG to balance out Amoore's deficiencies, R. Johnson or Kiki Rice would be intriguing picks.

4) Flau'jae makes sense to Chicago but a shooter like Fudd would be equally intriguing.

5) Janiah Barker to Indy makes absolutely no sense to me. They are already grooming a similar prospect in Timpson and I have very little faith that Barker will live up to her potential. The Fever need either a shooting guard to back up Mitchell or a forward that can shoot threes. If available, Serah Williams or Okot makes sense to me. Otherwise take the best available shooting guard.

 

[Bigboote]

. . .

5) Janiah Barker to Indy makes absolutely no sense to me. They are already grooming a similar prospect in Timpson and I have very little faith that Barker will live up to her potential. The Fever need either a shooting guard to back up Mitchell or a forward that can shoot threes. If available, Serah Williams or Okot makes sense to me. Otherwise take the best available shooting guard.

Your post just made me think, it's possible that Serah Williams's draft stock could shoot up after a season at UConn. She's already a two-time all-B1G selection.

 

[Dillon77]

Your post just made me think, it's possible that Serah Williams's draft stock could shoot up after a season at UConn. She's already a two-time all-B1G selection.

Very possible. I noted that I'll be paying attention to how she does in an offense that features ball-and people movement, as UConn does. If her play continues to be at the level she's shown thus far and/or improves, I think she'd be more of a fit with Iriafen and Austin than a very tall post. Stay tuned.

 

[cancontent]

Way-too-early '26 Mock Draft from Michael Voepel

WNBA mock draft: Betts, Fudd or Miles at No. 1?

Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, Flau'Jae Johnson and Olivia Miles are projected 2026 lottery picks.

www.espn.com

Some Dillon Druthers:

- Actually, it's good to set a floorboard from someone who knows the components. Plus, it helped remind me of where some of these transfers ended up!

- Not surprisingly, Azzi Fudd and Serah Williams are highly rated.

- If Dallas lands the first pick, Paige B. will probably have a new center.

- Could easily see Miles fitting in with the Lynx. (Then again, most players could fit in with the Lynx.)

and some thoughts on the team that can get a lot (again) from the draft.

- The Washington Mystics dealt established talent to garner draft picks and, as a result, have three -- count 'em, 3 -- first-round picks to add to an already solid core of young players, including Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Shakira Austin, Lucy Olsen, Jacy Sheldon and Georgia Amoore, if she recuperates from her knee surgery.

Iriafen and Austin can both play low and run the court, so any front-court player they choose needs to be able to mesh with that style. It will be interesting to see Serah Williams on the court over the course of the NCAA season in that respect.

Getting another shooter to pair up with Citron, who led the W in three-pt. shooting this year, would stretch defenses. If Fudd slips just one place, would D.C. take her - a hometown kid -- to play with Citron (who could slide to wing)? That said, Kneepkens is the real deal and could also offer another killer three-shooter. As could Yarden Garzon, another great distance shooter who has length (6'3") and could play wing, leaving Citron at off-guard.

OK, this will undoubtedly change (a lot) over the course of the year, depending on who ends up where in the W and how some of these prospects fare, as well as ones who might play themselves into the picture.

Good, but I also wonder if she would be listed this high had she not transferred. Gut feeling is she'd be listed lower or not at all, which would be an insult in my opinion.

It's not a dig at her making the decision to move. My concern is with those who conduct the research to put these "way too early" polls out in the first place.

 

[BRS24]

As Geno has said numerous times, it's not when you get drafted, it's where you get drafted.

 

[Dillon77]

ESPN Article Surveys Array of WNBA-Connected People on Englebert, Officiating, CBA, Etc.
What caught my attention on the officiating was the institutional lack of support for refereeing, from not having a control center to the ability of certain arenas to support multiple camera angles.
Here's an excerpt:

"Players, coaches and executives across the league have flagged a lack of consistency by referees as well as the level of physicality allowed.
A team executive said those are valid concerns, but some of the issues have deeper roots.

"My first issue with officiating is not the officials, it's that it's not resourced from the arenas we play in, to not having a replay center," they told ESPN. "That's a fundamental [resource], I think, that objectively needs to be changed."

"The executive pointed to the WNBA arenas in Dallas, Connecticut, Chicago and Atlanta as problems -- those courts don't have the same technology and camera angles that other markets have that are viewed as crucial for calling a game correctly."

Well, that countered my frequent asides to my wife about "why doesn't the control center just get this done?" Mr. Silver...want to make your NBA center available?

Here's a link the rest of the story:

'Change is a must': WNBA owners, insiders on Cathy Engelbert, officiating, CBA

Have owners and executives lost faith in the WNBA commissioner? We canvassed insiders on the biggest topics at the WNBA Finals.

www.espn.com

 

[cancontent]

ESPN Article Surveys Array of WNBA-Connected People on Englebert, Officiating, CBA, Etc.
What caught my attention on the officiating was the institutional lack of support for refereeing, from not having a control center to the ability of certain arenas to support multiple camera angles.
Here's an excerpt:

"Players, coaches and executives across the league have flagged a lack of consistency by referees as well as the level of physicality allowed.
A team executive said those are valid concerns, but some of the issues have deeper roots.

"My first issue with officiating is not the officials, it's that it's not resourced from the arenas we play in, to not having a replay center," they told ESPN. "That's a fundamental [resource], I think, that objectively needs to be changed."

"The executive pointed to the WNBA arenas in Dallas, Connecticut, Chicago and Atlanta as problems -- those courts don't have the same technology and camera angles that other markets have that are viewed as crucial for calling a game correctly."

Well, that countered my frequent asides to my wife about "why doesn't the control center just get this done?" Mr. Silver...want to make your NBA center available?

Here's a link the rest of the story:

'Change is a must': WNBA owners, insiders on Cathy Engelbert, officiating, CBA

Have owners and executives lost faith in the WNBA commissioner? We canvassed insiders on the biggest topics at the WNBA Finals.

www.espn.com

Thanks for sharing. There are so many layers to this. Just wow.

 

[cancontent]

 

[Dillon77]

Her Hoops Stats' Richard Cohen Sets Sights South to Examine Atlanta Dream's Off-Season
Key Personnel:

Free agents:

• Uncoreable Unrestricted Free Agents: Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, Jordin Canada
• Unrestricted Free Agents: Allisha Gray, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Nia Coffey
• Restrcited Free Agents: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
• Reserved: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné (both reserved).

Under contract: Te-Hina Paopao, Taylor Thierry.

2026 draft picks: They still have all of their own with no extras and will likely be picking 13th in the 2026 draft.

Major Issue: Infrastructure. As Cohen says, their arena only seats 3,500 people and is a "glorified high school gym" and their practice facilities aren't far behind. Free agents are increasingly looking at both these resources, so Atlanta ownership will put their team behind if they don't move on both....soon.

2025-26 WNBA Offseason Guides: Atlanta Dream

The latest in our series of team-by-team WNBA guides breaks down Atlanta's performance in 2025 and where they stand heading into 2026

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[Dillon77]

Thx for posting. Here's the gist of Alex Sarama's approach: Constraints-Led Approach or CLA.
(from the ESPN Story)

"CLA is a training methodology that emphasizes adaptability, improvisation and decision-making rather than predetermined movement patterns and drills. For example, (Alex) Sarama will rarely run the same drill twice, instead using small-sided games with different constraints -- like rule tweaks, scoring changes or time limits -- to force players to make decisions under pressure.

"From my experience so far, the players absolutely love it, because it's such a nice changeup from what they've always done in their NBA careers," Sarama explained. "It's so much more engaging, and when you never know what you might do at practice one day as opposed to doing the same six NBA drills, which every team does every shoot around, every practice. But just coming in and knowing that there's going to be something more creative. I just think it really resonates."

 

[darrell]

'Change is a must': WNBA owners, insiders on Cathy Engelbert, officiating, CBA

Have owners and executives lost faith in the WNBA commissioner? We canvassed insiders on the biggest topics at the WNBA Finals.

www.espn.com

 

[BRS24]

Archive link - WNBA coaching carousel: What I’m hearing about the Liberty, Storm and other jobs

Just noticed that there's a "share" button on this link, but it doesn't work yet. Hopefully NYT will add TA articles to the share.

South Florida’s Jose Fernandez has been with the Bulls since 2000 and is among the most respected names in college basketball. Fernandez was a finalist for the Wings job last year before Dallas decided to hire Chris Koclanes, and Fernandez could be in the mix again.​

And, reports on twitter say - "That depends on if the Wings are willing to pay top dollar. Jose withdrew from the search last year when Dallas didn’t come correct on the cash.It is worth mentioning that his buyout is less if he leaves for the WNBA."

 

[cancontent]

 

[MilfordHusky]

Her Hoops Stats' Richard Cohen Sets Sights South to Examine Atlanta Dream's Off-Season
Key Personnel:

Free agents:

• Uncoreable Unrestricted Free Agents: Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, Jordin Canada
• Unrestricted Free Agents: Allisha Gray, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Nia Coffey
• Restrcited Free Agents: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
• Reserved: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné (both reserved).

Under contract: Te-Hina Paopao, Taylor Thierry.

2026 draft picks: They still have all of their own with no extras and will likely be picking 13th in the 2026 draft.

Major Issue: Infrastructure. As Cohen says, their arena only seats 3,500 people and is a "glorified high school gym" and their practice facilities aren't far behind. Free agents are increasingly looking at both these resources, so Atlanta ownership will put their team behind if they don't move on both....soon.

2025-26 WNBA Offseason Guides: Atlanta Dream

The latest in our series of team-by-team WNBA guides breaks down Atlanta's performance in 2025 and where they stand heading into 2026

herhoopstats.substack.com

I have to think that Renee will get the team moving on the inadequate infrastructure.

 

[cancontent]

I have to think that Renee will get the team moving on the inadequate infrastructure.

How long has it been since she became part owner? Curious as to whether they've been investigating and haven't found the best option as of yet.

 

[DEpup]

Way-too-early '26 Mock Draft from Michael Voepel

WNBA mock draft: Betts, Fudd or Miles at No. 1?

Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, Flau'Jae Johnson and Olivia Miles are projected 2026 lottery picks.

www.espn.com

Some Dillon Druthers:

- Actually, it's good to set a floorboard from someone who knows the components. Plus, it helped remind me of where some of these transfers ended up!

- Not surprisingly, Azzi Fudd and Serah Williams are highly rated.

- If Dallas lands the first pick, Paige B. will probably have a new center.

- Could easily see Miles fitting in with the Lynx. (Then again, most players could fit in with the Lynx.)

and some thoughts on the team that can get a lot (again) from the draft.

- The Washington Mystics dealt established talent to garner draft picks and, as a result, have three -- count 'em, 3 -- first-round picks to add to an already solid core of young players, including Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Shakira Austin, Lucy Olsen, Jacy Sheldon and Georgia Amoore, if she recuperates from her knee surgery.

Iriafen and Austin can both play low and run the court, so any front-court player they choose needs to be able to mesh with that style. It will be interesting to see Serah Williams on the court over the course of the NCAA season in that respect.

Getting another shooter to pair up with Citron, who led the W in three-pt. shooting this year, would stretch defenses. If Fudd slips just one place, would D.C. take her - a hometown kid -- to play with Citron (who could slide to wing)? That said, Kneepkens is the real deal and could also offer another killer three-shooter. As could Yarden Garzon, another great distance shooter who has length (6'3") and could play wing, leaving Citron at off-guard.

OK, this will undoubtedly change (a lot) over the course of the year, depending on who ends up where in the W and how some of these prospects fare, as well as ones who might play themselves into the picture.

I think there is a huge logic hole in this list.... if Fudd is available at #2, Reeve is taking her. Reeve shares a philosophy with UConn style and has always said UConn players are the most prepared for the pros. Azzi would be a perfect pairing with McBride at the 2. That allows the stud buds to share PG at their size.

Azzi also has long ties in the area which would build fan base.

Its a no trainer for the Lynx.

 

[bballnut90]

I think there is a huge logic hole in this list.... if Fudd is available at #2, Reeve is taking her. Reeve shares a philosophy with UConn style and has always said UConn players are the most prepared for the pros. Azzi would be a perfect pairing with McBride at the 2. That allows the stud buds to share PG at their size.

Azzi also has long ties in the area which would build fan base.

Its a no trainer for the Lynx.

McBride and Fudd are strikingly similar players now that I think about it. I know Reeve loves her UCONN players but I'm not sure if it's the right fit with KMac there. KMac plays 30+ minutes per game, I think it'd be a waste of a pick to have Fudd basically back up McBride when KMac still has several good years left and they bring similar skills to the table. I'd probably opt for Fam if she's available since she has major upside.

 

[cancontent]

I think there is a huge logic hole in this list.... if Fudd is available at #2, Reeve is taking her. Reeve shares a philosophy with UConn style and has always said UConn players are the most prepared for the pros. Azzi would be a perfect pairing with McBride at the 2. That allows the stud buds to share PG at their size.

Azzi also has long ties in the area which would build fan base.

Its a no trainer for the Lynx.

The trend with recent draft picks makes me pause however. To this day, I still don't understand how Dangerfield earns ROY honours and gets released the following season. Miller and Pili didn't work out either. With the exception of Juhasz, I don't believe anyone remained with the team once drafted since 2020.

 

[Dillon77]

How long has it been since she became part owner? Curious as to whether they've been investigating and haven't found the best option as of yet.

@MilfordHusky

Yes, that's what Cohen brought up in his "guide." This front office group isn't that new. They did a great job by bringing in Dan Padover (co-architect of the Las Vegas core group of players) as GM (who in turn, brought in a good coach). But they've got to not only turn their attention to this issue, but get it done, according to Cohen. I think he's got a point.

 

[Dillon77]

Hmmm. I'm not certain about this particular fit. When Brondello has had moderate success and reached an occasional pinnacle, it's been with veteran players, some of whom are superstars. She's going to get some vets, for sure, at an expansion team but who knows about the superstars? Golden State and Portland have rolled the dice on coaches with distinctive coaching styles that play into a preferred system. Not certain Brondello's method is geared to creating a new culture. Could be wrong, but ....

Depending on what Seattle does with its vets, that would've looked like more of a fit to me, but with an uncertain CBA, neither Toronto or Brondello might want to wait when there are solid choices on the table.

 

[cancontent]

Hmmm. I'm not certain about this particular fit. When Brondello has had moderate success and reached an occasional pinnacle, it's been with veteran players, some of whom are superstars. She's going to get some vets, for sure, at an expansion team but who knows about the superstars? Golden State and Portland have rolled the dice on coaches with distinctive coaching styles that play into a preferred system. Not certain Brondello's method is geared to creating a new culture. Could be wrong, but ....

Depending on what Seattle does with its vets, that would've looked like more of a fit to me, but with an uncertain CBA, neither Toronto or Brondello might want to wait when there are solid choices on the table.

Personally, I find it interesting that Toronto let this information get out there in the first place. It also gives the fanbase an idea as to what the organization is looking for in a coach.

 

[JellyBean]

Archive link - WNBA coaching carousel: What I’m hearing about the Liberty, Storm and other jobs

Just noticed that there's a "share" button on this link, but it doesn't work yet. Hopefully NYT will add TA articles to the share.

South Florida’s Jose Fernandez has been with the Bulls since 2000 and is among the most respected names in college basketball. Fernandez was a finalist for the Wings job last year before Dallas decided to hire Chris Koclanes, and Fernandez could be in the mix again.​

And, reports on twitter say - "That depends on if the Wings are willing to pay top dollar. Jose withdrew from the search last year when Dallas didn’t come correct on the cash.It is worth mentioning that his buyout is less if he leaves for the WNBA."

Wow! I did not know Coach Fernandez was in the pool of candidates for the Wings coaching gig last year. Holy smokes with his successful coaching experience at South Florida, you would think Dallas would have offered him the job over Koclanes, no matter the amount. We shall see what happens this off season.