Thanks for this info. What I worry about is losing a great potential addition because of timing of player's decisions. I have no idea what Sara's timeline is, but could we lose out on a major portal addition because we are holding a position for her, she ultimately goes elsewhere, and we missed the boat on the portal because those decisions have been made? Yes, unfortunately that is the reality.
The same is true of our extra year candidates. If we go deep into the tournament and they don't decide until just before the draft, we might be late pursuing someone who has already entered the portal. We have to the best of our knowledge 6 players with decisions they have to ultimately make. Four with an optional year, and two outstanding offers to Strong and Rodriquez.
The players don't have to make decisions before the quagmire of deadlines, but for teams that don't have any idea if they have an available roster spot or not (like us) it would be a tremendous benefit if they did. Our existing players with the option can help Geno in that regard.
If hypothetically Nika and Aaliyah had made a decision to not use their optional year, it helps a lot to make sure Geno knows now, even if you don't declare it publicly. I presume to the extent they know, they are probably doing that. But if he knew two were not coming back, at least at that point he would know he had one spot to offer, be it Sarah, Rodriquez, or a portal addition, but only one of those three. If Sarah said yes, then no portal or Rodriguez in that scenario, but if Sarah declined it might be a decision between pursuing Rodriquez or using the portal.
Senior night might be a significant clue. I am hoping Paige chooses not to participate which would be a clear indication she was returning. I am guessing Nika and Aaliyah probably will, but who knows, and Aubrey because of the injury might now have greater chance of returning than before the injury.
My best case scenario is Paige and Aubrey return, we have one spot and Sarah takes it. If Sarah comes but Aubrey leaves, then use the portal option on a big. If we lose out on Sarah, I think I would prefer my chances in the portal to Rodriquez, but if Aubrey doesn't come back you could try for both or two portal additions.
Too many permutations and combinations combined with incredible uncertainty over how many roster spots if any we have. Hopefully some of these decisions can happen soon and start to provide some clarity.
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