2025 WNBA Regular Season

[EricSD]

Wow, going back to my closing paragraph in a prior post about the issue possibly being with Aces management (front office/coaching staff). I seriously have to wonder what the hey is going on there.

• If anyone takes the names of Dan Padover and/or Bill Laimbeer as front-office guys in vein again, go hope on a plane piloted by Howard Hughes. Yes, they were taking first rounders, but they made the choices. Not all of 'em worked out, but they handed the ingredients to Hammon to finish. Which, to her credit, she did.
• However, the front office of Vargas? Yikes. Kate Martin is offered up in the dispersal draft and is now one of many folk heroes in the Bay region. Kitley comes back from injury and that developmental program of Hammon lasts less than half a season. Tiff Mitchell, to me, at least hustles and pfft...
• To me, N'lyssa Smith might benefit from being next to A'ja Wilson, but how much will Smith help the Aces? Particularly to the tune of a first-round draft choice? Somone got hosed and it wasn't Kurt Miller.

Speaking of Dallas:

• Pure and simple, the Wings thought there were getting more from Miyisha Hines-Allen than Smith. Probably in a lot of ways, because Smith is from the area and a partner of Carrington. Didn't matter....business is business and Smith wasn't returning value.
• Hines-Allen and Siegrist, when she returns will man the forward position. Big T, Geiselsoder and Li will battle for the center minutes.

Hines Allen has been a much better pro than I ever thought she would - I mean who would have predicted she'd be starting and out playing Nylissa Smith? Maybe some, but not me.

How do you see the center spot working out? To my untrained eyes... Yeru is solid, but not as good as Geiselsoder. What about McCowan? Seems like they don't need all 3. Again, I'm probably a genius compared to the WNBA GM's (well... maybe not so much compared to Fargas and the Aces!!!), but I'd trade McCowan, start Geiselsoder, and bring Yeru off the bench. Not sure McCowan has much trade value tho. Maybe for a 2nd round pick? Or maybe a back up PG for Paige?

 

[cancontent]

Hines Allen has been a much better pro than I ever thought she would - I mean who would have predicted she'd be starting and out playing Nylissa Smith? Maybe some, but not me.

How do you see the center spot working out? To my untrained eyes... Yeru is solid, but not as good as Geiselsoder. What about McCowan? Seems like they don't need all 3. Again, I'm probably a genius compared to the WNBA GM's (well... maybe not so much compared to Fargas and the Aces!!!), but I'd trade McCowan, start Geiselsoder, and bring Yeru off the bench. Not sure McCowan has much trade value tho. Maybe for a 2nd round pick? Or maybe a back up PG for Paige?

Outplaying Smith? I could see it. Hines-Allen was a player I had hoped Minnesota would retain after her contributions to the team after they traded for her. At the same time, she's a great veteran presence for the Wings' roster.

 

[oldude]

Hines Allen has been a much better pro than I ever thought she would - I mean who would have predicted she'd be starting and out playing Nylissa Smith? Maybe some, but not me.

How do you see the center spot working out? To my untrained eyes... Yeru is solid, but not as good as Geiselsoder. What about McCowan? Seems like they don't need all 3. Again, I'm probably a genius compared to the WNBA GM's (well... maybe not so much compared to Fargas and the Aces!!!), but I'd trade McCowan, start Geiselsoder, and bring Yeru off the bench. Not sure McCowan has much trade value tho. Maybe for a 2nd round pick? Or maybe a back up PG for Paige?

I kept hearing what a smart guy Curt Miller was. Today’s trade finally shows me something. Smith wasn’t the answer. Getting the Aces 1st round pick next year opens a lot of possibilities, particularly if the Aces continue to tank like they have been doing.

 

[Bigboote]

Hines Allen has been a much better pro than I ever thought she would - I mean who would have predicted she'd be starting and out playing Nylissa Smith? Maybe some, but not me.

How do you see the center spot working out? To my untrained eyes... Yeru is solid, but not as good as Geiselsoder. What about McCowan? Seems like they don't need all 3. Again, I'm probably a genius compared to the WNBA GM's (well... maybe not so much compared to Fargas and the Aces!!!), but I'd trade McCowan, start Geiselsoder, and bring Yeru off the bench. Not sure McCowan has much trade value tho. Maybe for a 2nd round pick? Or maybe a back up PG for Paige?

Geiselsoder can play the 4, neither McCowan nor Li can. I think a platoon of McCowan and Li at the 5 would be fine with Geiselsoder maybe taking it for 5-10 minutes.

 

[cancontent]

A little surprised by this.

 

[Geew1992]

A little surprised by this.

Are they keeping Chen?

 

[JDuro]

I kept hearing what a smart guy Curt Miller was. Today’s trade finally shows me something. Smith wasn’t the answer. Getting the Aces 1st round pick next year opens a lot of possibilities, particularly if the Aces continue to tank like they have been doing.

Seattle owns Aces’ ‘26 pick. Dallas acquired the pick for ‘27 draft.

 

[oldude]

Seattle owns Aces’ ‘26 pick. Dallas acquired the pick for ‘27 draft.

Well, if the Aces tank for the rest of this season and next, that 27 selection could be a lottery pick.

 

[Stagnant]

I am amazed that Vanloo got waived.

 

[oldude]

I am amazed that Vanloo got waived.

Vanloo is off with EuroBasket. On the other hand, Kaitlyn has averaged 24 mpg over the past 2 games. Evidently, while the cat was away, Kaitlyn will play.

 

[ConnMotors]

Let the Wings continue to add draft picks. How many can they get for Arike?

 

[azfan]

Vanloo is off with EuroBasket. On the other hand, Kaitlyn has averaged 24 mpg over the past 2 games. Evidently, while the cat was away, Kaitlyn will play.

The most important ability is availability

 

[cancontent]

Are they keeping Chen?

No idea, but it's a possibility. Think another move is required as Fagebenle is back too. Other than VanLoo, I haven't seen any other moves announced by Golden State.

 

[Geew1992]

 

[Geew1992]

No idea, but it's a possibility. Think another move is required as Fagebenle is back too. Other than VanLoo, I haven't seen any other moves announced by Golden State.

The key also released Bibby and Hall

 

[cancontent]

The key also released Bibby and Hall

Then it seems very likely that Amihere and Chen are sticking around.

 

[nwhoopfan]

can't believe LV traded a first rounder for Nalyssa, let alone a first rounder in the 2027 draft

Wow this seems like a desperation move. Have they paid any attention to what Smith did last year for Indiana and so far this year w/ Dallas? I'd guess obviously they didn't.

 

[JellyBean]

The bigger issue is what happens when McCowan returns.

McCowan could face limited minutes or be traded. Li has been pretty impressive.

 

[JellyBean]

A little surprised by this.

Me too! Wow!

 

[JellyBean]

Aces still feeling the repercussions of exercising the 4th year option of Kierstan Bell and there was literally no reason to. she hadn't shown anything yet and now you're locked into a guaranteed roster spot/contract for a player who can't contribute

​

I don't get it! KB knows where the bodies are buried. She got pictures or something.

 

[Geew1992]

I don't get it! KB knows where the bodies are buried. She got pictures or something.

My understanding is the players wanted her on the team.

 

[cancontent]

I don't get it! KB knows where the bodies are buried. She got pictures or something.

I'm going on a limb and guessing the "What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" motto is being applied here in this case.

 

[WBBTakeover]

?

You said multiple times that A'ja was the one who AT bulldozed when it was clearly Chelsea Gray.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Well, if the Aces tank for the rest of this season and next, that 27 selection could be a lottery pick.

It won't be. They're never going to be a lottery team as long as A'ja is healthy.

 

[JellyBean]

My understanding is the players wanted her on the team.

Oh boy

 

[oldude]

It won't be. They're never going to be a lottery team as long as A'ja is healthy.

Well I was mostly kidding. But just for arguments sake, the Aces are currently 10th in a 12 team league, mostly with A’ja healthy. While the lottery involves the worst 3 teams over the prior 2 seasons, if the Aces hold onto their current position this season, and run it back again next season, that could be a lottery pick for the Wings in 27.

In any event, Curt Miller may have bought himself a solid, high or middle 1st round pick for a journeyman forward with a limited upside. Not a bad day’s work.

 

[azfan]

Well I was mostly kidding. But just for arguments sake, the Aces are currently 10th in a 12 team league, mostly with A’ja healthy.

?

Aces are currently in the playoffs in the eighth spot. It'll be interesting after the All-Star break to see if the expansion good time story continues. I would think most reasonable projections place LV somewhere six seven or eight. Unless there's a major injury to the Aces roster the likelihood of the Aces finishing in the bottom tier with Dallas, Connecticut, and Chicago are less than Natasha Adair being named head coach of the Knicks

 

[MSSportsGuy]

I'm skeptical over adding 3 more teams in a somewhat concentrated geographic area. Detroit and Cleveland once had teams but Cleveland folded and Detroit became Tulsa (no clue) and became Dallas. Times are very different and the sport is more popular but I'd be hesitant to select those cities. Philly is also confusing.

The WNBA jumped to 16 teams too quickly years back and I don't want the same mistake repeated again. Golden State was a great addition and I think Toronto will be as well. Sixteen is a good even number but I wouldn't take put another team in Portland or the three mentioned earlier above some other cities.

I recognize you ownership groups and if these places have them, that's fine but they seem like odd choices.

 

[azfan]

I'm skeptical over adding 3 more teams in a somewhat concentrated geographic area. Detroit and Cleveland once had teams but Cleveland folded and Detroit became Tulsa (no clue) and became Dallas.

I'm not.

From both a investment analysis and the metric of interest on the part of the audience, the WNBA expansion is both well supported and has prospects of success.

Mixed ownership of the WNBA a has recognized the potential for significant capital appreciation as well as increased revenue as we've seen with the uptick in the fee to join the cartel. I wouldn't be surprised strategic planning by the guru is in the league are not considering international expansion for financial reasons.

The location for expansion is an interesting one and I'm not convinced of History predicts the future. Given the significant changes since previous franchises failed I think the critical issues is the ownership group has we've with Golden State. The mixed ownership structure May well be an advantage here as in general NBA owners have access to deep streams of capital. The important issue of course is how they staff the front office.

As to the audience the threads on the by and the Canadian increases in both viewership as well as me a deals confirm that the audience expansion is most sustainable and lucrative

Based on the above I think the days of my $43 WNBA League pass are numbered so I'm definitely enjoying the ability to see all these great athletes at an extraordinarily reasonable cost.

 

[Geew1992]

Oh boy

Lol... same reason they kept Colson for so long. The players wanted that cohesiveness. Pretty sure that's why Stokes is still on the team.