Top 3 Picks in 2019 WNBA Draft?

[CamrnCrz1974]

Yes, here are the current ping-pong ball standings:

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1. Indiana needs talent everywhere, so they would pick Ionescu, no matter what, IMO. If she doesn't come out, they take either Brown or McCowan, because teams either needs to be able to shoot the 3 from every position and have versatile posts(LA/Seattle) or they need a bulldozer in the paint to battle with Cambage, Griner, and Fowles.
2. Chicago has a fairly good roster, IMO, but not a good coach. If I were Chicago and Ionescu comes out, I trade Sloot for a versatile 4 and go from there. If Ionescu doesn't come out, Take Brown/McCowan .
4. LV-Aces need a 3. They aren't getting the #1 pick, but at #4 I would take Lou here.

If Ionescu comes out, she should be taken first. She has the talent to be a top floor general in the league. Indiana is last in the entire WNBA in assists per game. Nine WNBA teams averaged between 18.3 and 20.9 apg; Indiana is at 15.7 apg. And their young players - Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians are scorers. They need a primary facilitator.

But in no way, shape, or form should Chicago trade Courtney Vandersloot.
First, she is averaging 8.2 assists this season after averaging 8.1 to lead WNBA last year. They are the two highest apg numbers in league history. Only one other player has seasons over 7.5 (Ticha Penicheiro, who averaged 7.87 apg in 2000 and 8.00 apg in 2002).
Second, at 29 years old, not only is she still in her prime, she is STILL improving. 2018 has brought career high numbers in assists per game, rebounds per game, points per game (after today's contest), made threes, and three-point percentage.
Third, Chicago is rebuilding. This team had to trade Sylvia Fowles in the 2015 season (she sat out, demanding a trade) and Elena Delle Donne (demanded a trade after the 2016 season). With so many young players, the team NEEDS a primary facilitator. And Vandersloot is one of the best in the WNBA at this point.

As far as Katie Lou Samuelson is concerned, the perfect team for her, IMHO, is Dallas. First, the Wings need a wing, as Karima Christmas-Kelly is out for the season with an ACL tear and the team traded Aerial Powers. Second, the team's three-point shooting is dreadful - 31.0 percent (11th out of 12 teams), but 21.3 attempts per game (4th in the league). KLS provides the much-needed outside presence. More importantly, with Diggins and Cambage in place, she just needs to be a shooter and a ball mover (not necessarily a facilitator, but a hockey assist type of player), which she can do easily.

Las Vegas really needs a power forward next to Wilson at center. Bill Laimbeer has experimented with A'Ja at the four, next to JiSuPark/Carolyn Swords/Kelsey Bone, but ideally, she would have an athletic four next to hear, who can score inside and out. Personally, I think Napheesa Collier would be a great fit here.

 

[CocoHusky]

McCowan is STILL going to be substantially bigger than most of the players she'll be going up against, sans Fowles/Cambage/Griner. Other players have height and strength, but not the combination that McCowan does. I think she can still score a fair amount on putbacks, she'll immediately be one of the better rebounders in the league, especially on the offensive end (she averaged a whopping 6 offensive rebounds per game this past season). She's proven herself against strong competition and on the biggest stage.

Passing wise, no, she's not the strongest passer. Neither was Fowles. I think there are a lot of similarities between her and Syl coming out of college. McCowan will also get a lot more experience passing out of double teams this upcoming season. Mississippi State's offense was guard heavy and focused primarily on dribble penetration and perimeter shooting while feeding the ball to McCowan when she buried her defender inside. She'll need to add more to her game this year if Mississippi State is going to be a top 10 team. With McCowan, you're going to get a sure fire contributor from the get go who can control the glass and within a few years, can evolve into one of the more dominant front court players in the league.

Yet another caveat regarding McCowan: "McCowan will also get a lot more experience passing out of double teams this upcoming season. "
Very disrespectful of you to compare McCowan to big Sylvia. Watch this short clip and look at the athleticism and coordination
to see why you are being so disrespectful.

 

[bballnut90]

Yet another caveat regarding McCowan: "McCowan will also get a lot more experience passing out of double teams this upcoming season. "
Very disrespectful of you to compare McCowan to big Sylvia. Watch this short clip and look at the athleticism and coordination
to see why you are being so disrespectful.

At this point, I stand by my pick and the Fowles comparison. I watched 4 years of Fowles, and she was a big defensive big with great rebounding skills and raw offense entering the pros. It took her time to develop as a pro and she’s become a much better offensive player with time.

 

[CocoHusky]

At this point, I stand by my pick and the Fowles comparison. I watched 4 years of Fowles, and she was a big defensive big with great rebounding skills and raw offense entering the pros. It took her time to develop as a pro and she’s become a much better offensive player with time.

Still can't believe you are disrespecting Sylvia like that.

 

[CocoHusky]

Still can't believe you are disrespecting Sylvia like that. The only place McCowan has ever dreamed of executing ANY of these moves in in deep deep REM sleep.

 

[Shmermerer]

There's no comparison at all. McCowan has made huge strides, but she still has only one post move and no jumper.

Im not sure who said Browns rebounding numbers aren't that good. I can guarantee if Lauren Cox was on McCowan's team, her numbers would be much less. Victoria Vivians played the 4 for MSU last year which further inflates McCowans numbers.

 

[stwainfan]

No one has to remind me of Fowles at LSU. One of the best players ever at LSU. Also will be in the HOF someday.

 

[Bronx23]

You ever notice that every time you big up McCowan there is always a caveat like " Long way to go" or "upside" or "scratching the surface'. Some WNBA GM is going to agree with you and take her very high like they did Coates. In college McCowan was that girl that was substantially bigger than the other players and collected a lot of rebounds and scored on putbacks. In the WNBA that is not going to work. She has no mid range to speak of, no drop step or back to the basket move, and BTW she is averaging less than 1/2 an assist per game for her career. You can't just park her under the basket in the WNBA and hope that the ball finds its way into her hands.

I agree! I've not been impressed even though she did improve a great deal last year!
I think almost everything she does just comes from being so large. While she will of course get better I think it's very very hard to become well coordinated and skilled when one started playing so late.
Even defensively she's again counting on her size. He lateral movement I don't think is very good!
I'm not a big fan of Brown either and think both will be ok pros.
Bronx23

 

[Gus Mahler]

Who will be the better pro: Durr or Arike O.? [no rhyme intended]

 

[nwhoopfan]

Who will be the better pro: Durr or Arike O.? [no rhyme intended]

Good question. Can I get back to you in 3-4 years?

 

[ucbart]

I wouldn't necessarily agree that "if you can score, you will play." I think there are a lot of players in the WNBA who aren't the most prolific scorers, but get a ton of minutes because they contribute in other ways.

Confused why you brought up Alana Beard. Her first year in the league she averaged 13.1ppg (42% FG), 4.2rpg, 2.7apg, and 2 steals per game. By her third year, she averaged 19.2ppg (50% FG), 4.7rpg, 3apg. She could play defense and score.

But, when Beard came into the league, it wasn’t nearly as talented as it is now. Which is how she won DPOY last year and started for the Sparks, but was a bit of a liability offensively. On another team with less offensive firepower, I don’t think AB would’ve played as much.

 

[dtbtbtb]

McCowen actually reminds me of Coates...a big strong player with no offensive moves and Coates while chosen really high in the draft has not done much so far

 

[bballnut90]

Still can't believe you are disrespecting Sylvia like that.

Somehow I think Sylvia is a tad less upset about the comparison than you seem to be. We’ll see how McCowan pans out.

 

[bbsamjj]

But, when Beard came into the league, it wasn’t nearly as talented as it is now. Which is how she won DPOY last year and started for the Sparks, but was a bit of a liability offensively. On another team with less offensive firepower, I don’t think AB would’ve played as much.

No doubt Beard has found the right fit for her in LA, but I don't get how you can downgrade her past offensive accomplishments because the league wasn't as talented when she entered, but glance over how she won DPOY at the age of 35? I happen to think the league's DPOY would have gotten a lot of time on any team in the league, no matter the offensive firepower.

At the same time though, I'm not sure why her previous offensive success must only be explained by the fact that the league was less talented. She competed against her peers. The fact that she scores less now could also easily be attributed to the fact that she's: A) now 36yo; B) hasn't quite been the same offensive player since her injuries, C) LA doesn't need her to be a scorer.

 

[DallasBUFan]

I wouldn't necessarily agree that "if you can score, you will play." I think there are a lot of players in the WNBA who aren't the most prolific scorers, but get a ton of minutes because they contribute in other ways.

Confused why you brought up Alana Beard. Her first year in the league she averaged 13.1ppg (42% FG), 4.2rpg, 2.7apg, and 2 steals per game. By her third year, she averaged 19.2ppg (50% FG), 4.7rpg, 3apg. She could play defense and score.

If

Alana Beard was taken 2nd in the 2004 WNBA Draft behind Diana Taurasi.

She made her first All Star team in 2005, her second year. In her third season, she averaged 19.2 ppg. She made the All Star team in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009, before injuries caused her to miss the 2010 and 2011 seasons entirely.

In her first six seasons, Beard averaged 16.2 ppg while playing 193 regular season games (out of a possible 204 games).

I am not sure what you meant by "how long it took a defensive specialist 'Alana Beard,'" but Beard proved herself to be an offensive threat in her rookie year (i.e., immediately).

If you listen to her and listen to other players last year, she one of the first guards to win defensive player of the year. Which has taken all of these years to get the credit she deserves on the defensive side.

 

[DallasBUFan]

If Ionescu comes out, she should be taken first. She has the talent to be a top floor general in the league. Indiana is last in the entire WNBA in assists per game. Nine WNBA teams averaged between 18.3 and 20.9 apg; Indiana is at 15.7 apg. And their young players - Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians are scorers. They need a primary facilitator.

But in no way, shape, or form should Chicago trade Courtney Vandersloot.
First, she is averaging 8.2 assists this season after averaging 8.1 to lead WNBA last year. They are the two highest apg numbers in league history. Only one other player has seasons over 7.5 (Ticha Penicheiro, who averaged 7.87 apg in 2000 and 8.00 apg in 2002).
Second, at 29 years old, not only is she still in her prime, she is STILL improving. 2018 has brought career high numbers in assists per game, rebounds per game, points per game (after today's contest), made threes, and three-point percentage.
Third, Chicago is rebuilding. This team had to trade Sylvia Fowles in the 2015 season (she sat out, demanding a trade) and Elena Delle Donne (demanded a trade after the 2016 season). With so many young players, the team NEEDS a primary facilitator. And Vandersloot is one of the best in the WNBA at this point.

As far as Katie Lou Samuelson is concerned, the perfect team for her, IMHO, is Dallas. First, the Wings need a wing, as Karima Christmas-Kelly is out for the season with an ACL tear and the team traded Aerial Powers. Second, the team's three-point shooting is dreadful - 31.0 percent (11th out of 12 teams), but 21.3 attempts per game (4th in the league). KLS provides the much-needed outside presence. More importantly, with Diggins and Cambage in place, she just needs to be a shooter and a ball mover (not necessarily a facilitator, but a hockey assist type of player), which she can do easily.

Las Vegas really needs a power forward next to Wilson at center. Bill Laimbeer has experimented with A'Ja at the four, next to JiSuPark/Carolyn Swords/Kelsey Bone, but ideally, she would have an athletic four next to hear, who can score inside and out. Personally, I think Napheesa Collier would be a great fit here.

Collier would be good, or what about Lauren Cox in two years? She is used to working with another dominant post and can help stretch the floor for 3's and clear out. So Wilson can do her work in the low post. Also, think Kalani could be a good fit because she is used to working with LC also. Las Vergas will be very good soon! Just need time and experience.

 

[bbsamjj]

DallasBuFan for some reason Kalani reminds me of Jantel Lavender. Is that a fair comparison?

 

[DallasBUFan]

DallasBuFan for some reason Kalani reminds me of Jantel Lavender. Is that a fair comparison?

I think she's a Nneka meets Jantel. She is more phyiscal and a better rebounder than Jantel, but can truly spread the floor and hit the 17 footer like Jantel. I think getting into better shape and just being more physical is all she needs. I still think it takes less time to teach someone to be more physical and rebound more than teach an offensive game.

I think she is better rounded as a player than Griner was going into her Sr year. Griner didn't have the offensive game that Kalani does. I still think if she didn't have a dominant PF in Cox she would be grabbing more rebounds. She doesn't have to worry about getting all the rebounds now since Cox has shown she is a heck of rebounder.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

McCowan has to be the number one pick. In the pros, height matters. Big players are more valuable than shorter players, and her dramatic improvement has to make her a top pick.

Ogunbowale has to be #2. She's a game-changer and a winner. Who wouldn't want her in the backcourt?

 

[Shades]

Collier would be good, or what about Lauren Cox in two years? She is used to working with another dominant post and can help stretch the floor for 3's and clear out. So Wilson can do her work in the low post. Also, think Kalani could be a good fit because she is used to working with LC also. Las Vergas will be very good soon! Just need time and experience.

At this point, Cox is my #2 in 2020. Not sure who else could be above her.

 

[Shades]

Ogunbowale has to be #2. She's a game-changer and a winner. Who wouldn't want her in the backcourt?

If I was drafting for team, I’d rather get a prominent post or forward in the first round and hope for a bargain guard in the second round.

 

[Carnac]

If she's able to play a full college season. Remember, the pro season is far more taxing on an athletes body. If she can't play a college season she's an iffy 2nd rounder. If she has a very good year she could sneak into the 1st. Maybe.

The most important ability any athlete can have is availability. As mentioned by other posters, Turner's career has been rife with injuries. If she can get and stay healthy the entire season, she will be a first rounder. Because of the presence of Shepherd, Turner won't have to play as many minutes as she did her sophomore year, but as Jordy said, she does need to prove she can play a full college season at a high level before teams in the W will seriously consider drafting her. It can be done.

Gabby Williams did it. She suffered a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament and partially-torn meniscus in her right knee her junior year in high school. Gabby played 4 years of elite level WCBB without further injury or a knee brace (credit the UConn trainers and medical staff).

 

[Dillon77]

If she's able to play a full college season. Remember, the pro season is far more taxing on an athletes body. If she can't play a college season she's an iffy 2nd rounder. If she has a very good year she could sneak into the 1st. Maybe.

Jordy (and Scoop):
Brianna missed the 17-18 season due to an ACL, which is usually a season-ender for anyone (if not more).
However, before that, she was very resilient in dealing with her injuries. She had a serious shoulder injury her sophomore year. Rather than have immediate surgery, she played through it (wearing a brace), had surgery in the off-season and came back in time for her junior year, albeit with not a lot of practice time. She's a gamer.

I'm adding in some of her season highlights because its' been a year since we've seen her name in boxscores. she can play. Well. If she's makes it through this year, she's a first-round draft choice.

Hopefully, MM will able to ease her into minutes as the season progresses. Playing with her buddy, Jessica Shepard, will help, as will the return of Mik Vaughn, who interestingly both looks and plays a bit like Bri.

BTW, I noted she shared a stat with Stewey, which I found interesting given I thought of pairing them together in Seattle!

Freshman Year (2014-2015)
• Started in 35 of 36 games played, averaging 25.6 minutes
• Averaged 13.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game with 10 double-doubles, leading team in all categories except scoring and steals
• Led nation and ACC in field-goal percentage (.652), becoming the third freshman in NCAA history to lead nation in field-goal percentage

Sophomore Year (2015-2016)
• Started all 29 games played (missed six games with shoulder injury)
• Led ACC in both field-goal percentage (.593 - fifth in nation) and blocked shots (3.0 bpg - 13th in nation)
• Scored in double figures 25 times (including four 20-point games)
• One of two players to rank in the top 13 in nation in field-goal percentage and blocked shots per game (along with one Breanna Stewart)

JUNIOR SEASON (2016-17)
• Started all 35 games, averaging 28.7 minutes per game
• Had a career high 38 assists
• Was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, standing ninth in league history in blocks (263)
• Saw less than 20 minutes of action only four times
• Scored in double figures 29 times and recorded seven double-doubles

 

[Carnac]

Jordy (and Scoop):
Brianna missed the 17-18 season due to an ACL, which is usually a season-ender for anyone (if not more).
However, before that, she was very resilient in dealing with her injuries. She had a serious shoulder injury her sophomore year. Rather than have immediate surgery, she played through it (wearing a brace), had surgery in the off-season and came back in time for her junior year, albeit with not a lot of practice time. She's a gamer.

I'm adding in some of her season highlights because its' been a year since we've seen her name in boxscores. she can play. Well. If she's makes it through this year, she's a first-round draft choice.

Hopefully, MM will able to ease her into minutes as the season progresses. Playing with her buddy, Jessica Shepard, will help, as will the return of Mik Vaughn, who interestingly both looks and plays a bit like Bri.

BTW, I noted she shared a stat with Stewey, which I found interesting given I thought of pairing them together in Seattle!

Freshman Year (2014-2015)
• Started in 35 of 36 games played, averaging 25.6 minutes
• Averaged 13.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game with 10 double-doubles, leading team in all categories except scoring and steals
• Led nation and ACC in field-goal percentage (.652), becoming the third freshman in NCAA history to lead nation in field-goal percentage

Sophomore Year (2015-2016)
• Started all 29 games played (missed six games with shoulder injury)
• Led ACC in both field-goal percentage (.593 - fifth in nation) and blocked shots (3.0 bpg - 13th in nation)
• Scored in double figures 25 times (including four 20-point games)
• One of two players to rank in the top 13 in nation in field-goal percentage and blocked shots per game (along with one Breanna Stewart)

JUNIOR SEASON (2016-17)
• Started all 35 games, averaging 28.7 minutes per game
• Had a career high 38 assists
• Was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, standing ninth in league history in blocks (263)
• Saw less than 20 minutes of action only four times
• Scored in double figures 29 times and recorded seven double-doubles

Hey Dillon, you don't have to sell me on Turner. I've been saying for the last 4 years that she is my favorite non UConn player, period. I will follow her closely this year, and as she transitions into the W. I'll wish her well in every game she plays this season except the UConn game. I hope she remains healthy and puts up monstrous numbers and is voted an AA.

 

[Fairfield Fan]

Obviously a LOT depends on how next season pans out, but based on that my guess is:
1. Indiana-McCowan. She'll give them a huge post presence who can compete with the likes of Griner/Cambage/Fowles. Has a long way to go in terms of offensive ability, and she likely will never be at the level of those 3, but she's a unique prospect with her size and rebounding. She also made incredible improvements from her sophomore to junior year and is playing under one of the best coaches in the country, so she likely makes further strides this year.

2. NY-KLS. Kind of a toss up for me between her and Brown because they really need upgrades at center and on the wing, but I think KLS is more of a sure fire success even if Brown has a higher ceiling. KLS gives them a big time scorer on the wing and a dangerous shooter with size and passing ability.

3. Chicago-Brown. If NY goes with Brown at 2, I'm really not sure who'd they take at 3....they don't have a need for KLS with Diamond/Gabby at SF, and I think they'd opt for Ogunbowale at SG over KLS, so maybe Arike at 3. If Collier has a huge senior year, she could be an option here too. At any rate, Brown is the best player available at 3 and gives them a big body inside who is polished offensively and can make an impact right away. She does well in the high-low with Cox, so that could be recreated with Dolson.

New York desperately needs a powerful post player to take the pressure off of Tina Charles. In every game against every team, whenever Tina gets the ball she is triple-teamed. She has done a tremendous job against that overwhelming defensive pressure. But a team cannot win when its best player has three defenders on her at all times- and the other four players can't put the ball in the basket.

The Liberty are desperate for another big. Desperate.

 

[bballnut90]

The most important ability any athlete can have is availability. As mentioned by other posters, Turner's career has been rife with injuries. If she can get and stay healthy the entire season, she will be a first rounder. Because of the presence of Shepherd, Turner won't have to play as many minutes as she did her sophomore year, but as Jordy said, she does need to prove she can play a full college season at a high level before teams in the W will seriously consider drafting her. It can be done. Gabby Williams did it. Played 4 years of elite level WCBB after suffering a knee injury in her junior & senior year in high school, without further injury or a knee brace (credit the UConn trainers and medical staff).

I don't think there's any doubt Turner will be a first round draft pick...it's just how high she goes is the question. To be frank, almost all 2nd round picks in the WNBA are pretty worthless in today's day and age. Turner, when healthy, is a sure fire top 6-7 pick in this draft. I doubt she falls farther than 10 unless she suffers another ACL or debilitating injury. Even then she could sneak in to the 1st round since she does have great athleticism and her upside is higher than any 2nd round draftee.

 

[bballnut90]

New York desperately needs a powerful post player to take the pressure off of Tina Charles. In every game against every team, whenever Tina gets the ball she is triple-teamed. She has done a tremendous job against that overwhelming defensive pressure. But a team cannot win when its best player has three defenders on her at all times- and the other four players can't put the ball in the basket.

The Liberty are desperate for another big. Desperate.

They need better scorers all over, it's not just inside. On the perimeter they have 6 players in Hartley, Nurse, Coleman, Prince, Rogers and Zellous who are capable of having big nights, but they can't string together consistent performances. Inside we've seen flashes of good play from Kia Vaughn and Zahui B, but it's the same result there. The biggest issue, I think, is coaching. The substitution patterns have been all over the place, and none of the players really know their role on the team. I think either Brown or KLS would be a great fit here since the Liberty need more offense both inside and on the perimeter. You already have solid offense in Charles inside, so I'd bring on KLS who shores up the poor perimeter shooting (32.2% from deep) and provides and outside compliment to space the floor. Brown is a good option too since she can hit jumpers from 15 and can work well with Charles, but NY will still have dreadful perimeter shooting and teams will try to force NY to be a perimeter scoring team.

That said, I'll be quite surprised if we see a similar roster return next year. I'm guessing a lot of players will try to find new teams in the offseason due to the location, horrible fan support, poor coaching and overall mediocre outlook.

**edited because I can't count**

 

[DallasBUFan]

McCowan has to be the number one pick. In the pros, height matters. Big players are more valuable than shorter players, and her dramatic improvement has to make her a top pick.

Ogunbowale has to be #2. She's a game-changer and a winner. Who wouldn't want her in the backcourt?

Brown is the same size as McCowan......

 

[DallasBUFan]

At this point, Cox is my #2 in 2020. Not sure who else could be above her.

Who else is in that class that will be a big pick? Sabrina? Is Megan Walker a Jr this season?

 

[Shades]

Who else is in that class that will be a big pick? Sabrina? Is Megan Walker a Jr this season?

Ruthy Hebard
Joyner Holmes was prominent as a freshman
Destiny Slocum if she doesn’t use all her eligibility

Kaila Charles might amount to something