Voepel: This year's draft class full of questions

[pap49cba]

"Hayes, Prahalis and Peters are all examples of the questions pro teams are facing. Hayes has the "inconsistent" tag … but also the UConn pedigree. It has been a proven commodity in several Huskies in the WNBA, both stars and reserves. Whatever Hayes' flaws, if she falls very far in this draft's first round, that's just dumb."

LINK

 

[MilfordHusky]

Seattle gave up Swin for the #2 pick. Mechelle's comments:

"Tennessee's 6-2 Shekinna Stricklen physically has all the tools, but does she have Cash's ferocious drive to win? Cash won two NCAA titles in college, and her "winner" status has followed her through pro/international ball."

That "winner" status that includes 3 WNBA titles, Olympic gold, and a World Championship helped to get Swin on another Olympic team. In my view, Swin's drive is what separated her from the other talented players who did not make the team. She'll pass it on to her younger teammates, some of whom already have a lot of it, such as Maya and Angel.

 

[speedoo]

What a great article by Voepel. Lots of info, great quotes from some knowledgable folks, and some nice analysis.

But I am still mystified by some of the decisions these WNBA GM's and coaches make.

 

[EricLA]

Seattle could end up the biggest loser in the draft. Giving up a proven winner and Olympian in Cash for what - Glory Johnson? Shenise Johnson? Shekinna Stricklen? none of them have the complete package like Swin does. Glory lacks any sort of mid range game. Shekinna doesn't have Swin's athleticism or post moves. and Johnson is more a guard/wing. the article said Seattle may have been banking on EDD, Brit or Skylar coming out early. too bad for them. shoulda waited 1 more year...

 

[Icebear]

I would suspect it was the salary cap that forced the issue.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I would suspect it was the salary cap that forced the issue.

Almost certainly a factor. They rolled the dice hoping for Nneka or Elena. An even-up trade for Swin at 40-50% of Swin's salary and buying 10 years of youth may have been worth the risk. But they lost.

 

[Icebear]

It may be even more critical than that they may simply not have had enough money to pay Swin under the cap.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

I would suspect it was the salary cap that forced the issue.

Not so much the cap, but rolling the dice on a player declaring early.

Lauren Jackson is likely to miss most of the season with the Opals. This is a chance for Seattle to rebuild. Trade Cash and Willingham, get a high draft pick and a young player to put next to Lauren in the frontcourt or to providing scoring on the wing. The signing of Wauters will help the frontcourt, but it is conceivable Seattle could be in the lottery next year, where the team gets a really good player. And then Lauren is back.

It is a strategic move to build for the future while only having one bad year, instead of having players leave/retire and have several bad years in a row.

 

[VAMike23]

On a side note, I hope they leave Glory Johnson for the Lynx's #3 pick. I think Reeves is a pretty good coach, and with players like Taj and Brunson to learn from, Glory would be in a great spot where she doesn't have to do too much too soon. I understand she is not a refined offensive player in the mid-range a la Nneka but she has a lot of outstanding qualities including the intangibles.

Another side note: the Sparks are going to be very tough this year

 

[VAMike23]

It may be even more critical than that they may simply not have had enough money to pay Swin under the cap.

ICE you're not allowed to post here, this is a WNBA-related thread.....

 

[Icebear]

ICE you're not allowed to post here, this is a WNBA-related thread.....

Well, you can see how ignorant I am about all things WNBA. I could imagine a team letting Swin go unless absolutely forced to do so.