Dallas Wins the Paige Bueckers Sweepstakes

[RockyMTblue2]

Dallas is a train wreck. Of course it has plenty of company in that category.

 

[BobbyJ]

This attitude/mentality from fans on this board that she should use whatever leverage she has to avoid going to Dallas is what I don't get. When players like Eli Manning, Eric Lindros, John Elway, Jim Kelly, and others have done the same they've been seen as petulant or egotistical for making such demands. Now because of a person UConn fans don't seem to like, it's acceptable?

In the business world this would be considered being shrewd and assessing where your best opportunities exist. The WNBA is a business where profit and loss is involved. The teams/organizations don’t hesitate to move players in their own best interests so it should work both ways. I wouldn’t waste years of my career in a place I considered a bad situation so I wouldn’t expect anyone else to either. As they say, it’s nothing personal, it’s just business.

 

[bschwartz]

 

[Scud49]

https://twitter.com/i/status/1858274377961279814

 

[cancontent]

In the business world this would be considered being shrewd and assessing where your best opportunities exist. The WNBA is a business where profit and loss is involved. The teams/organizations don’t hesitate to move players in their own best interests so it should work both ways. I wouldn’t waste years of my career in a place I considered a bad situation so I wouldn’t expect anyone else to either. As they say, it’s nothing personal, it’s just business.

Who has the ability to dictate where they get drafted in today's era of professional sports? Why are we expecting this to be different in the WNBA?

 

[Forego]

it would a much better chance to avoid that by unloading arike.

As I stated in a previous post in a related thread, Arike would be a perfect fit with the Mercury when Diana retires if they want to maintain their team leading number of technical fouls. The only downside to Arike moving to the Mercury is I would feel badly for Sophie Cunningham.

 

[bballnut90]

If I were the Valkeries, I would approach with a different package. Trying to keep next year's number 1 and hoping to get a second big time player to go with Paige, I would offer this year's #5 pick plus two players to be named later from the expansion draft. i think if prearranged, the Valkeries could in essence pick for Dallas, saying here are all the players available, pick two and we will select them and then trade them with the #5 pick for the first pick.

So in effect, trade away a franchise player in Bueckers for a #5 pick (in a draft that isn't very deep) and two left over expansion players? With all due respect, there's zero chance of that happening and Miller would be fired on the spot.

The Wings would be insane to trade away either Paige or Arike without even trying the two together. Paige is an unusually strong #1 draft pick who is likely to be a franchise player, so it'd be a horrible choice to trade her away for almost anyone in the league aside from maybe a Napheesa Collier/Caitlin Clark/A'ja Wilson type of player. There's no universe where Miller should trade away the #1 pick for any combination of lower picks when Paige is far and away the best prospect in the draft.

Miller should be fired if he trades away Arike for next to nothing, which many are suggesting he does. Arike is the franchise's current marquee player, you don't just dump her out of fear that she wont co-exist well with Bueckers. Paige is about as malleable of a player you'll find and will fit in well alongside her in the backcourt. Both have PG/SG skills and can create on their own or for others. It'll be an adjustment for Arike to play alongside her, but they'll likely make a great backcourt together. Perhaps most important, no one is expecting Dallas to be a title contender in 2025 and Arike's contract ends after the season, so at the very least you wait until the first year is done before making any rash decisions instead of just assuming this pairing isn't going to work and dumping your best player.

 

[Hedge]

This attitude/mentality from fans on this board that she should use whatever leverage she has to avoid going to Dallas is what I don't get. When players like Eli Manning, Eric Lindros, John Elway, Jim Kelly, and others have done the same they've been seen as petulant or egotistical for making such demands. Now because of a person UConn fans don't seem to like, it's acceptable?

Who says it wasn't acceptable? They were able to use the leverage they had to get the best deal from institutions that wouldn't hesitate to put their own interest first to the detriment of a player.

 

[BobbyJ]

Who has the ability to dictate where they get drafted in today's era of professional sports? Why are we expecting this to be different in the WNBA?

I didn't say they necessarily have the ability. But they have the right to try and shouldn't be criticized for looking out for their best interests. Would you draft someone who has privately told you that they don't want to play for your organization? I think I would try to trade the pick in that situation.

 

[Stagnant]

I don’t think Dallas is the worst place to be. They are investing in the franchise, and they have a new practice facility on the way.

One thing though. I hate their uniforms and color scheme. If Paige does well there and elevates the franchise… maybe we can get a rebrand and fix all that? Hopefully.

 

[cancontent]

I didn't say they necessarily have the ability. But they have the right to try and shouldn't be criticized for looking out for their best interests. Would you draft someone who has privately told you that they don't want to play for your organization? I think I would try to trade the pick in that situation.

That's the thing. No one knows for sure this is even an idea in her mind. It's a fan preference/desire at the moment.

 

[ucbart]

I don’t think Dallas is the worst place to be. They are investing in the franchise, and they have a new practice facility on the way.

One thing though. I hate their uniforms and color scheme. If Paige does well there and elevates the franchise… maybe we can get a rebrand and fix all that? Hopefully.

Same. The colors, the mascot, the uniforms, the arena, everything. It's a complete mess.

 

[Dugway]

How many more years is Ogunbowale under contract with the Wings?

 

[hoophuskee]

In the business world this would be considered being shrewd and assessing where your best opportunities exist. The WNBA is a business where profit and loss is involved. The teams/organizations don’t hesitate to move players in their own best interests so it should work both ways. I wouldn’t waste years of my career in a place I considered a bad situation so I wouldn’t expect anyone else to either. As they say, it’s nothing personal, it’s just business.

If this was your life's dream to play in the WCBB market that is growing and you know you vcan expand it further in which you will be competing vs best of the best that you hold in the ulitmate respect you wouldn't consider it a waste to go to Dallas. You'd look at it as a personal challenge and chance to grow the game (just as you had all your life. She's not like a cynical fan- not you personally - but someone with supreme comeptitive beliefs. This is the type of player that came back super fast from injury her soph year and said "I'm different. A player like that doesn't run away. A fan would,- but not a superstar to prove that they are "different.") . As a fan personal challenges and the degree to which the WNBA game is not near what she feels.

Do fans really think if Paige were asked if she could be successful and play whht AO she would say "no?" And no way she doesn't feel she can't turn things around. When you are that great you feel you can do a ton because all your life you proved that you have.

 

[baggerbob]

I have to think that Curt Miller is not stupid. He needs to shed Arike and those lumbering bigs if they are going to turn that team around.

I hope he is smart enough to keep Satou and then build a team around Paige, Satou, and Seigrist.

Otherwise, Paige and her representation need to play hardball and get her out of playing there one way or another.

These are the 6 rosters with Arike (noting players not with the team in 2025 as well as high draft picks — players listed only once):

• 2019: Allisha Gray, Karlie Samuelson, Azura Stevens
• 2020: Moriah Jefferson, Marina Mabrey, Astou Ndour-Fall, Katie Lou Samuelson
• 2021: Dana Evans | Charlie Collier
• 2022:
• 2023: Crystal Dangerfield, Odyssey Sims
• 2024: Natasha Howard#1 | Lou Lopez Senechal

#1: UFA and not considering Dallas.

To say Arike had to play the way she has is a little humorous. Arike is playing the way she has is because she doesn’t know how (or refuses) to play differently.

• And the Dallas franchise has not thought that was a problem, despite team performance.

After 6 iterations, will Arike change in year 7? Not hopeful. Then again, it boggles the mind that there’s even a 7th iteration involving Paige.

Look when a player who has won WNBA championships, says she no longer wants to play for your team, there is a big problem.

 

[hoophuskee]

So in effect, trade away a franchise player in Bueckers for a #5 pick (in a draft that isn't very deep) and two left over expansion players? With all due respect, there's zero chance of that happening and Miller would be fired on the spot.

The Wings would be insane to trade away either Paige or Arike without even trying the two together. Paige is an unusually strong #1 draft pick who is likely to be a franchise player, so it'd be a horrible choice to trade her away for almost anyone in the league aside from maybe a Napheesa Collier/Caitlin Clark/A'ja Wilson type of player. There's no universe where Miller should trade away the #1 pick for any combination of lower picks when Paige is far and away the best prospect in the draft.

Miller should be fired if he trades away Arike for next to nothing, which many are suggesting he does. Arike is the franchise's current marquee player, you don't just dump her out of fear that she wont co-exist well with Bueckers. Paige is about as malleable of a player you'll find and will fit in well alongside her in the backcourt. Both have PG/SG skills and can create on their own or for others. It'll be an adjustment for Arike to play alongside her, but they'll likely make a great backcourt together. Perhaps most important, no one is expecting Dallas to be a title contender in 2025 and Arike's contract ends after the season, so at the very least you wait until the first year is done before making any rash decisions instead of just assuming this pairing isn't going to work and dumping your best player.

I don't follow WNBA much so others can speak of AO. I only know there is no way in hell any trade is worth it to let Paige go other than as you mention another superstar.

 

[Stagnant]

What I do know about Paige is that she is very much a “everything happens for a reason” type of person.

 

[PacoSwede]

... And no way she doesn't feel she can't turn things around. When you are that great you feel you can do a ton because all your life you have.

all you say may be true. relating to paige's take on it: yeah, i wouldn't doubt that is how she sees.

that's really unfortunate, as far as i'm concerned. i really hope some people she trusts would set her straight. ... or maybe she is mature enough now to figure it out herself.

if u have something you've desired your whole life, someone is going to exploit that as a vulnerability in their own interests. i'd tell paige: don't let them. make a deal that's mutually beneficial, don't be swayed by emotion, the yearning to fulfill your dream. you're in a business relationship now! use all the leverage u have.

they want to make it work out as much as you do; realize that and take advantage of that. thus, fairness defeats exploitation.

 

[ConnMotors]

Now, the Mystics should chime in. They have the 4th and 6th pics in this years draft. Offer the Wings both of these picks. Then add the rights to EDD. Plus anyone if their young players except for Edwards

 

[hoophuskee]

all you say may be true. relating to paige's take on it: yeah, i wouldn't doubt that is how she sees.

that's really unfortunate, as far as i'm concerned. i really hope some people she trusts would set her straight. ... or maybe she is mature enough now to figure it out herself.

if u have something you've desired your whole life, someone is going to exploit that as a vulnerability in their own interests. i'd tell paige: don't let them. make a deal that's mutually beneficial, don't be swayed by emotion, the yearning to fulfill your dream. you're in a business relationship now! use all the leverage u have.

they want to make it work out as much as you do; realize that and take advantage of that. thus, fairness defeats exploitation.

What you call "exploitation" imo is that of a fan perspective. The elite superstar calls it a "challenge" because you (the fan) have doubts that she can do it. If you don't have doubts then it can;t be "exploitation."

 

[Stagnant]

Now, the Mystics should chime in. They have the 4th and 6th pics in this years draft. Offer the Wings both of these picks. Then add the rights to EDD. Plus anyone if their young players except for Edwards

My response to that offer would be no.

 

[hoophuskee]

My response to that offer would be no.

A HUGE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PacoSwede]

What you call "exploitation" imo is that of a fan perspective. The elite superstar calls it a "challenge" because you (the fan) have doubts that she can do it. If you don't have doubts then it can;t be "exploitation."

challenge is just another form of exploitation. accepting the "challenge" -- likely her preference -- doesn't help her position; it's forefeiting a strength leverage-wise.

and what's this got to do with a 'fan perspective'? don't get what u mean by that. ... and i have no doubts about paige's ability to meet any challenge. i'd hope she doesn't either.

 

[hoophuskee]

challenge is just another form of exploitation. accepting the "challenge" -- likely her preference -- doesn't help her position; it's forefeiting a strength leverage-wise.

I disagreee. Challenge is not expolitation. Her growing the game and building the team does help everyone from herself and the game. Unless you are talking immediate gratfication of winning for example which is more that an older player would do or a fan would look at. That's why she will remain at Dallas to start her initial career knowing very well that she can do some other things but beleives in her being she can do it. That's not "exploitation." It will be her choice. As stated imo using both synonomously is a fan perspective.

 

[Stagnant]

A HUGE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the type of offer it would take for Paige.

Indiana receives: Paige Bueckers and Satou Sabally

Dallas receives: Caitlin Clark and Katie Lou Samuelson

I am not even sure I do that deal. But I don’t instantly hang up if that is proposed to me.