Azzi to Dallas Wings???

[JavaMan]

With Dallas getting the 1st pick in the draft again next year, what are the odds? And lets not forget who the new Dallas coach will be. Hmmm.

For the second year in a row, the Dallas Wings will have the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft

For the second-straight year, the Dallas Wings will have the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft.

www.swishappeal.com

 

[Husky fanatic]

Very well could be Azzi if she meets the needs of the team. If they need a big, will they sacrifice that to reunite Paige and Azzi?

 

[oldhusky]

ESPN also changed their mock draft to put Azzi going #1 after finding out Dallas won the lottery. I don't know how to react to this. I think it is possible, but not sure it makes sense from a Dallas standpoint. At this point in time, I think Dallas most needs a C, and Betts or Fam are probably projected to be better players and more of a need as well.

Dallas could trade down, but Azzi could probably be had at #4. Both of those bigs and Miles are generally considered ahead of her. The main but not only reason some have moved her to #1 is because Dallas won the lottery and they have Paige. Mock drafts that came before the lottery generally had her in the 4-7 range as I recall.

 

[EricLA]

I think that would be bad for Dallas. They were very weak in the post and Awa Fam is a 6'4" athletic future star who is only 19. She is a much better pick. I think Azzi will go 4th or so. This is one of the better snips of an analysis of her from a Dallas Mavericks community analyst:

In addition to the shooting, Fudd plays hard and always knows where to be. She’s an incredible cutter and relocator, and she’s good at finding teammates when the defense zeroes in on her. Her high basketball IQ and floor game make her a plus offensive player in any system.

The issue with Fudd is that she cannot break down the defense off the bounce whatsoever. She cannot create her own shot outside of attacking closeouts. She does not get to the rim or free-throw line. Fudd’s mediocre athleticism and footspeed prevent her from doing these things, and improvement in these areas looks unlikely. And that’s okay! Fudd’s shooting and ancillary skills mitigate those self-creation concerns.

Once labeled a bad defender, Fudd has made great strides on that end. She competes hard, and her 5’11” frame helps her hold her own across the perimeter. Fudd doesn’t get lost off-ball, she’s good at executing scheme, and she communicates. That said, the lack of athleticism will hold her back at the next level. Fudd won’t be a bad defender, but it’s hard to envision her ever being a plus one.

To me that is totally objective and as much as we love and value Azzi, I think the upside is higher for Fam, Miles, and Flau'jae. I think it would be a mistake for Dallas to take Azzi over Awa.

 

[Blakeon18]

Note: there is some [very] idle speculation on the general women's information at the top of the
UConn women's board...to the right side.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

GM gets fired if they pass on Betts. Nothing against Azzi, but they NEED a center.

 

[asuwish]

GM gets fired if they pass on Betts. Nothing against Azzi, but they NEED a center.

It's Fam most people say is the best big project. I don't see Betts being a star at the next level but a reliable big which is never a bad thing. If they want azzi what assets do they have to get to #4 and still keep #1?

 

[cometjo]

Kind of silly that everyone is saying this now after having Azzi somewhere like 4th—nothing has really changed, it's not as though it wasn't likely that Dallas would pick first or second before the lottery. As far as team needs go its completely possible to address the need for a center via free agency, since most of the W are free agents next year.

 

[ucmiami2]

I do think Azzi, Betts, Fam, and Miles are all lottery picks, and worthy of being the #1 pick and I don't think any are a 'no brainer' #1. It comes down to team needs in my book.

And while Fam is a great prospect, as a GM I would be leery of a European because in a couple of years they could be earning top dollar in their own country or elsewhere in Europe.

 

[donalddoowop]

They can say what they want but, no way would I pick Miles before Azzi. From what I have seen, she has been creating her own shot.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

Very well could be Azzi if she meets the needs of the team. If they need a big, will they sacrifice that to reunite Paige and Azzi?

Conventional wisdom is they need a big, but it is hard to evaluate bigs in college because they are as common as a 5 footed rabbit. A big can be highly ranked in college and be a dud in the pros. I'd rather they get a guard and trade for a utility/yeoman big. Arike ain't what she use to be. So, yeah I vote for Azzi.

 

[oldude]

Dallas mostly needs an athletic Big who can play. They can sign a veteran free agent like Tina Charles or use their #1 pick to select Awa Fam, a 19 year old with an enormous upside. They need to address that issue first, something that both Curt Miller and Jose Fernandez will know.

If they take care of the Big via the free agent route, and allow Arike to walk, then bringing in a shooting guard like Azzi via the draft makes sense.

 

[Rowdy831]

Azzi is a very good player but she isn't worthy of a top pick in the WNBA. If you want to compete at that level you need a quality post player and that is exactly what Dallas will pick. If a team with a post had won the first pick then by all means I would take a player like Azzi.

 

[cometjo]

Just to be clear about the free agent possibilities this year, according to this 80% of the players in the W will be free agents including:

• Breanna Stewart
• Sabrina Ionescu
• Kelsey Mitchell
• Jackie Young
• Kahleah Copper
• Arike Ogunbowale
• Satou Sabally
• Alyssa Thomas
• Skylar Diggins-Smith
• Kayla McBride
• Kelsey Plum
• A'ja Wilson
• Chelsea Gray
• Nneka Ogwumike
• Jonquel Jones
• Napheesa Collier
• Allisha Gray

Why are so many WNBA players free agents this winter?
None of them will sign anywhere until after the CBA is agreed to, then it will be a scramble. Hopefully that will happen before the draft, but it could be after, then who knows how teams will figure team needs into their calculations

 

[Charliebball]

I think that would be bad for Dallas. They were very weak in the post and Awa Fam is a 6'4" athletic future star who is only 19. She is a much better pick. I think Azzi will go 4th or so. This is one of the better snips of an analysis of her from a Dallas Mavericks community analyst:

In addition to the shooting, Fudd plays hard and always knows where to be. She’s an incredible cutter and relocator, and she’s good at finding teammates when the defense zeroes in on her. Her high basketball IQ and floor game make her a plus offensive player in any system.

The issue with Fudd is that she cannot break down the defense off the bounce whatsoever. She cannot create her own shot outside of attacking closeouts. She does not get to the rim or free-throw line. Fudd’s mediocre athleticism and footspeed prevent her from doing these things, and improvement in these areas looks unlikely. And that’s okay! Fudd’s shooting and ancillary skills mitigate those self-creation concerns.

Once labeled a bad defender, Fudd has made great strides on that end. She competes hard, and her 5’11” frame helps her hold her own across the perimeter. Fudd doesn’t get lost off-ball, she’s good at executing scheme, and she communicates. That said, the lack of athleticism will hold her back at the next level. Fudd won’t be a bad defender, but it’s hard to envision her ever being a plus one.

To me that is totally objective and as much as we love and value Azzi, I think the upside is higher for Fam, Miles, and Flau'jae. I think it would be a mistake for Dallas to take Azzi over Awa.

Not Miles.......I don't consider her to be particularly athletic either and she's not the defender or shooter that Azzi is......If Dallas prioritizes a post player, then so be it, but if they are looking for a superb outside shooter with a great basketball IQ, then Azzi should be the choice....

 

[Bone Dog]

Fam over Betts, no question. One has range and quickness, the other doesn't. Olivia has PG skills which puts her ahead of Azzi. Flaujae and Azzi seem like a tossup at present, but that could change over the next several months.

 

[Charliebball]

Fam over Betts, no question. One has range and quickness, the other doesn't. Olivia has PG skills which puts her ahead of Azzi. Flaujae and Azzi seem like a tossup at present, but that could change over the next several months.

I've been watching Miles since she was youngster at Blair Academy along with her running mate Dominique Daruis....she's always been a talented player with those point guard skills, but she has also marched to the beat of her own drum, which some have found endearing and others not so much......I'm not sure how she would fare in the W......

 

[Bone Dog]

I've been watching Miles since she was youngster at Blair Academy along with her running mate Dominique Daruis....she's always been a talented player with those point guard skills, but she has also marched to the beat of her own drum, which some have found endearing and others not so much......I'm not sure how she would fare in the W......

I agree about Miles. But I'm only speculating about draft order. The obvious difference between them at this level is that Olivia has better passing skills. But even with this, I have a feeling Azzi will eventually do much better in the W than either Olivia or Flaujae.

 

[Charliebball]

I agree about Miles. But I'm only speculating about draft order. The obvious difference between them at this level is that Olivia has better passing skills. But even with this, I have a feeling Azzi will eventually do much better in the W than either Olivia or Flaujae.

There will always be a place in the W or any other league for a player that can shoot the ball like Azzi.......my only concern about her is the wear and tear of the professional game....

 

[JellyBean]

It is possible that Azzi goes to Dallas, but lot would depend on what happens over the next few months. The bigger question is, would Azzi be a good fit in Dallas? Which player would fit Dallas the best? So many teams pick players that don't fit the team's overall setup and then let that player waste away on the bench. Or that player gets 4-8 minutes every other 4th or 8th game.

 

[Bigboote]

Just to be clear about the free agent possibilities this year, according to this 80% of the players in the W will be free agents including:

• Breanna Stewart
• Sabrina Ionescu
• Kelsey Mitchell
• Jackie Young
• Kahleah Copper
• Arike Ogunbowale
• Satou Sabally
• Alyssa Thomas
• Skylar Diggins-Smith
• Kayla McBride
• Kelsey Plum
• A'ja Wilson
• Chelsea Gray
• Nneka Ogwumike
• Jonquel Jones
• Napheesa Collier
• Allisha Gray

Why are so many WNBA players free agents this winter?
None of them will sign anywhere until after the CBA is agreed to, then it will be a scramble. Hopefully that will happen before the draft, but it could be after, then who knows how teams will figure team needs into their calculations

Yeah, a team needs to know who they have before they know who to draft. Dallas is a bit unusual in that they have five players returning next year. #2 pick Minnesota has one.

There needs to be a CBA, some free agents need to be signed, the expansion draft, and only then can teams start focusing on the rookie draft.

 

[and one]

There may well be concerns about having Azzi and Paige on the same team, from both the players and team standpoint. Whether those concerns have any validity is an open question. I'm sure Paige, Azzi and the GM will all give it a good hard think.

 

[Vowelguy]

With Dallas getting the 1st pick in the draft again next year, what are the odds? And lets not forget who the new Dallas coach will be. Hmmm.

For the second year in a row, the Dallas Wings will have the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft

For the second-straight year, the Dallas Wings will have the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft.

www.swishappeal.com

I'd be surprised if Azzi goes 1. I could even see her 4th after Fam, Betts, and Miles.

 

[Cuango]

If Azzi continues to play the way she has so far throughout the season, I might change this opinion but right now and barring some legendary season on Azzi’s part (20ppg, 50/50/90, 5 assists) for example, I think it would be the height of folly to not take either Fam or Betts. Fam would be my choice as I believe she would pair better with Paige but I think Betts will have a long and solid career (and she is 6’7”). Either way, unless you are talking about an absolute legendary, generational type of guard, it is clearly easier to find a really good, solid guard than a good, possibly great big.
I will say that Azzi, or really any guard scoring 20 points per game at UConn is just as, perhaps more impressive as someone scoring 25+ at most other schools, (Imo, of course) so one would have to take that under consideration as well.

 

[bayern7]

Fam over Betts, no question. One has range and quickness, the other doesn't. Olivia has PG skills which puts her ahead of Azzi. Flaujae and Azzi seem like a tossup at present, but that could change over the next several months.

If we’re looking at the draft from a take the most valuable player point of view, this is about as well put as it gets.

I think people who think Betts is the #1 pick or the best pick at /P position are mistaken. I don’t think there’s any universe where Fam is drafted after Betts, given the tape I’ve seen. Betts is certainly physically dominant in college, but she’s of the mold of the other physically dominant tall posts we’ve seen drafted into the league in recent years. And the reality is, most of those players are barely scratching all star caliber, if at all. Fam has higher upside, a deeper bag, and is younger.

I’d actually take any of Fudd, Johnson, Miles, or Fam before I take Betts. Still a whole season to play but that’s my opinion based on what I’ve seen of Betts this season.

I have an obvious UConn bias, but with respect to your point about Miles vs. Fudd I’m not so sure it’s a clear cut choice of Miles over Fudd. Fudd has looked really good to start the season. Her shooting and scoring production alone may be enough to challenge the whole PG supremacy argument being made with respect to Miles. If she stays healthy this season, that instant scoring punch Azzi could offer a modern WNBA team with the spacing she’d be afforded could be too tempting to turn down.

That jumper is proven and it’s LETHAL. And a lot of the flashy PG skills people see in Miles will need to be tempered in the league, soooo one’s skills I think would be further leveraged, and the others would need to be tempered. And if we’re talking about Dallas, well they already have one of the best PG ever drafted into the league so…

All that said if the draft were held today, I’d tell Dallas to draft Fam. Maybe trade in the free agency in hopes to pick up Fudd with one of the lower lottery picks.