www.nytimes.com
I have heard lots of things but I have not heard anything directly from her. What exactly has she said?Will Paige Bueckers use her unprecedented leverage? She could force a trade or return to UConn
Women's basketball players are gaining more power. Could Bueckers lead the way in choosing her future path in the WNBA?
"Bueckers, however, is in a rare situation where she wields more leverage thanks to her marketability, NIL portfolio and college eligibility. (She can return for a sixth season at UConn because of COVID-19 eligibility rules.) If she decides against playing for the Wings — and the buzz around the league is that Dallas was not her preferred destination — she could exert whatever levers she can to get where she wants as soon as possible.Given the state of the lottery teams, Bueckers could return to college by foregoing her draft eligibility at the end of the NCAA season and putting off the WNBA until 2026. That unfortunately still leaves her at the mercy of the lottery, but perhaps the threat of playing another season for UConn would motivate the Wings to take a trade demand seriously.Furthermore, it might behoove her financially to postpone the start of her WNBA career. By entering this season’s draft, she would lock herself into a four-year rookie-scale contract that averages $87,000 annually. However, the WNBA will enact a new collective bargaining agreement before the 2026 season, one that figures to increase player compensation.
Trade demands are old hat for WNBA veterans, and stars usually win. Within the last 10 years, Kahleah Copper, Elena Delle Donne and Sylvia Fowles successfully negotiated their way to new teams. Fowles even sat out half a season while waiting for the right deal. Bueckers would hardly be noteworthy if she expressed a desire to play for a different team, even if the timing of her request would be unique."
All I've heard her say is that she's focused on the season. Everything that is out there is third hand, off the record or opinions from what I've seen.
It wold not be in her best interest to comment period regarding anything past this season.
It's not her fault and she's just caught in the middle of everything. This is all media hype because of the multitude of scenarios that are possible. It sells and the media will leverage it anyway they can. Personally she shouldn't be expected to make any statements. Let her enjoy this season.
Aside from which team will end up with Paige there is one pretty significant difference between being a rookie in the W in 2025 vs 2026. Any 2025 rookie will be bound by the current collective bargaining agreement and pay scale for their first 4 seasons in the W.
On the flip side, it delays her from earning a veteran salary until she’s 28 or 29 years old, so from a financial perspective it might make more sense to start the rookie contract earlier to get a bigger payout in year 5. Regardless, I doubt money is going to be a major issue for Paige as whatever she makes from her W salary is likely a small fraction of how much she makes from endorsements
Assuming the new CBA continues to lock up rookies for 4 years.
True Chris Koclanes has not been a head coach but has experience in the WNBA and NCAA, is there something else you see that isn't to your liking?After seeing who Dallas hired as their head coach, here are my updated thoughts. Maybe Paige should consider all of her options.
Can we start with the fact that there is not one thing on his resume that would even suggest he knows how to put out a dumpster fire?
The dumpster fire you're referring to has layers to it. This is one part of what needs to improve. The head coach can't fix everything by themselves though.
When did he play in the WNBA? Heck, who did he play for in the NCAA? Was he even a LEAD assistant for anyone?
I would venture to say that every other HC in professional basketball, football, baseball, hockey, soccer, etc. has experience playing their respective sport either in college and/or the pros.
I kind of doubt it, especially as applied to all those sports. The very first name I thought of was the Dallas VP and GM and former LA HC Curt Miller. It appears that HS was the extent of his playing career.
www.girardsdf.org
I stand corrected. I guess Miller sees himself in Koclanes, although Miller had considerable HC experience in college before becoming a HC in the W. Koclanes is a high-risk hire imo.I kind of doubt it, especially as applied to all those sports. The very first name I thought of was the Dallas VP and GM and former LA HC Curt Miller. It appears that HS was the extent of his playing career.
Curt Miller - Class of 2013 Inductee - Girard School District Foundation
Curt Miller graduated from Girard High School in 1986 and participated in track and basketball.
Low return....... Not the type of bets or decisions that pay off over time.
Mark Daigneault is on line 1, would like to have a word with you.
Yes, but Geno’s 1st HC job was in college, at a place that couldn’t hire a big name coach, with no prior success in WBB and very little potential to be successful…..
of course you are right...your description of Geno's first HC job does sound a lot like the Dallas Wings though.Yes, but Geno’s 1st HC job was in college, at a place that couldn’t hire a big name coach, with no prior success in WBB and very little potential to be successful…..
