Azzi to Dallas Wings???

[Cuango]

I.like.the.idea.of.picking.Azzi.and.procurring.Tina.
(periods.subbing.for.space.bar)

Tina is at the end of her career. She might not even play and if she does, it will be for one, maybe two years only. Now, if they were to draft Fam or Betts, it might be good to sign Tina as a sort of on court mentor/teacher.

 

[cancontent]

Whoever Dallas wants to take, it seems like one advantage they have when considering FA's is they could tell them who they intend to take, assuming they sign that targeted FA. For example if going for a 4 or 5 in free agency, they can give the potential free agent a better idea of the team's potential by saying we have Paige at the point and Maddie at the 3, and will add Azzi at the 2, plus you for a nucleus of 4 going forward etc.

If instead they pursue a top SG in free agency they can say you and Paige in the backcourt, Maddie at the 3, and we are going to add Fam or Betts upfront. At least give the potential signee a good 4 player projection that suggests they could pretty good pretty soon.

I actually think we could see some major pairings in free agency where two or three top players collectively decide to go to one team with a couple of very good players still under rookie contracts, with soom team jumping from nobody to instant contender in one year, or visa versa. It is about as close to a clean sheet of paper when planning a contender as it ever has been, with free agency, the expansion draft, and the regular draft, collectively meaning more to a team's future than what they are actually returning under contract.

Pasting this to piggyback on your point about being an attractive landing spot to free agents.

 

[Dugway]

Pasting this to piggyback on your point about being an attractive landing spot to free agents.

Only a few years ago, the NY Liberty were able to create a Championship team out of free agents that all wanted to sign up to play with Ionescu. It not only is feasible, but in my opinion probable that the same will occur with Bueckers.

 

[darkstar1]

?
Arike is currently a free agent.

Thanks. I hope she moves to another team.

 

[oldude]

Thanks. I hope she moves to another team.

If the Wings don’t attempt to re-sign her, and I don’t think they will, she has no choice than to look elsewhere.

 

[WBBZen]

Curt Miller was at the UConn USF game with Jose, and the Dallas Wings posted about Jose being honored at the game. Wings are not slick at all imo, they know what they are doing 😄

 

[DEpup]

I agree now. I think Dallas needs a ready made big so they'll need to buy that player which would allow them to take Azzi first in the draft and sure up their middle. I still personally would like to see Azzi with the Lynx but the writing is on the wall.

 

[Dugway]

I agree now. I think Dallas needs a ready made big so they'll need to buy that player which would allow them to take Azzi first in the draft and sure up their middle. I still personally would like to see Azzi with the Lynx but the writing is on the wall.

I’d like to see Azzi with the Wings, but with that, would also like to see Phee join her in the Big D. Obviously, all Minnesota fans are saying ‘No way, Jose’ to that idea, but I would love to see it!

 

[hookshot]

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?

Yes. Never pass on a shooter. Lots of free agent bigs available

 

[MilfordHusky]

Yes. Never pass on a shooter. Lots of free agent bigs available

Never pass on an historic (Curry type) shooter.

 

[oldhusky]

If the Wings don’t attempt to re-sign her, and I don’t think they will, she has no choice than to look elsewhere.

Arike may be in for a rude awakening. Her style and talents are only a good fit in certain situations. IMO she doesn't deserve a max contract from any team, shouldn't be a starter on any serious contender, and would have the most value as a Vinny Johnson like scorer off the bench getting a salary that might be roughly between the minimum and the maximum.

Dallas should only consider her if she was willing to come off the bench and be paid a modest salary. Otherwise I don't think they even have anything to talk about. The combination with Paige was a failure, not for Paige but for Arike. Her scoring stats took a big hit and you know Paige was passing her the ball.

In her defense, I think Arike tried to blend in and play more of a team role, it's just not her strength, and probably never will be. When it comes to clearing out for her to go one on one near the end of the shot clock or a quarter to get a passable but not great percentage shot, she is one of the best.

But how many good teams want to make that a frequently featured part of their offense? It will be interesting to see where she winds up, and how much salary she can command.

 

[rt bb fan]

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.

Tina Charles is past her prime and is not what Dallas needs in a center.

 

[Crossover]

Only a few years ago, the NY Liberty were able to create a Championship team out of free agents that all wanted to sign up to play with Ionescu. It not only is feasible, but in my opinion probable that the same will occur with Bueckers.

I think there were a few other things about New York that were attractive to Stewie and Jonquel.

 

[oldude]

Tina Charles is past her prime and is not what Dallas needs in a center.

Tina averaged 16 ppg & 6 rebounds per game this past season, while playing almost 30 mpg. That places her among the leading centers in the W. She is hardly past her prime.

Curt Miller will evaluate all his options. At this point in time, drafting Awa Fam with the #1 pick probably makes the most sense. But if somebody wants to offer Dallas a boatload of draft picks for the #1 pick, then signing a veteran post is a must, and Charles will certainly be a possibility

 

[fang]

It will be interesting to see if Dallas protects Arike in the expansion draft. No chance for Lou to be protected.

Either Fam or Azzi will likely be #1. Both work for Dallas. Azzi could help with their 3pt shooting. Despite having the ultra-accurate Paige, Dallas had the second worst percentage last year.

Then Minn. is happy to take whoever Dallas passes on. Azzi can be McBride's replacement, while Fam would ensure Phee does not get stuck guarding bigs.

 

[BobbyJ]

It will be interesting to see if Dallas protects Arike in the expansion draft. No chance for Lou to be protected.

Either Fam or Azzi will likely be #1. Both work for Dallas. Azzi could help with their 3pt shooting. Despite having the ultra-accurate Paige, Dallas had the second worst percentage last year.

Then Minn. is happy to take whoever Dallas passes on. Azzi can be McBride's replacement, while Fam would ensure Phee does not get stuck guarding bigs.

They can't protect her because she's a free agent. And they can't sign her to protect her because the free agency signing period comes after the expansion draft.

 

[WBBZen]

They can't protect her because she's a free agent. And they can't sign her to protect her because the free agency signing period comes after the expansion draft.

Teams can protect UFA, but Dallas has so many rookies, it would be a waste. Expansion teams can only draft one UFA, who they then have to core and offer a max contract to. I wouldn't be surprised if Arike ends up on Toronto, as Sandy's coaching style is a little bit more loose and would cater to Arike's style. In the right system, Arike can thrive. I just don't think that's Dallas anymore.

 

[asuwish]

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.

Everyone makes the real money overseas even Americans. People forget the WNBA is a 3 month season. The best players come here in what is like an all star tournament and then spread out in leagues all over the world for 8+ months for their regular season.