The consensus among a lot of WNBA folks is that both DeShields and Russell received bad coaching during their college careers and could do well in the right WNBA systems. DeShields almost certainly comes out. Russell is 50 – 50, but I won't be surprised if she does and goes in the first five picks. A lot of teams would be happy to take a 6”6” player that needs some better coaching.
If I was the Stars, I think I might try to make a deal with Seattle to send Plum their way in exchange for a pile of players or next year's picks and then another deal with the Mystics to give them Walker-Kimbrough. I doubt if the Sky would make such a deal... but maybe.
I don't see Coates going at three. And I have to admit I didn't see much of Nia Coffey this season.
Overall, I agree that the draft is thin, very thin if certain players don't elect to come out. But there is probably a gem or two in the lower first round, there almost always is.