So look at it this way. The team will have a total of 200 minutes of playing time each game: five players on the court X 40 minutes total.
If we assume that Paige plays 30 minutes a game, Azzi gets 20 more each game on average, Edwards, ONO, and DeBerry record 75 minutes between them, and Muhl gets 25 herself, that means that the top six players would account for 150 of the available 200 minutes between them. This assumes that Westbrook doesn't return. If we assume that Aubrey, Saylor, and Caroline each record 15 minutes, that accounts for 45 additional minutes, and 195 of the 200 available. We assume that the three will get significant playing time, because they're each highly rated, and Coach Geno will want to use them.
But that means that, should Evina return, she, Mir McLean, Piath Gabriel, and Anna Makurat would be fighting for a total of just 5 available minutes between them.
Of course, there could be other scenarios. But if the top players coming in, plus the top players who have contributed this year are given at least 15 minutes of playing time each, the remaining four would be nearly cut out. If Makurat needs 10 or more minutes, then where do they come from? Would Azzi be reduced to 10 minutes? Would Muhl's playing time be cut in half after her stellar performances starting late season? Could Evina hope to get playing time if she returns? At whose expense? This is literally a zero sum game. Thirteen talented players all vying for a share of the 200 minute pie.
Something's got to give.
Player Minutes
Paige 30
Azzi 20
Edwards 30
ONO 25
DeBerry 20
Muhl 25
Griffin 15
Poffenbarger 15
Ducharme 15
McLean
Westbrook
Makurat
Gabriel
Total 195
5
Total Possible 200