W NBA first round draft choices being waived

[Fossil]

What is the highest draft choice in the WNBA to be waived and what can be done

 

[bballnut90]

What is the highest draft choice in the WNBA to be waived and what can be done

I think Hollingshed is the highest to be waived in the preseason at 8.

Shyla Heal (#8) was waived after playing 31 minutes last year.

Tori Jankoska was #9 in 2017 and waived after 1 game.

Evelyn Akhator was #3 in 2017 and waived after 1 season.

 

[EricLA]

Just goes to show how hard it is to make a roster. Cunane was waived yesterday by Seattle. Altho she was a 2nd rounder. But a great player in college.

Vegas not only waived Hollingshead, but also Khayla Pointer, the first pick of the 2nd round.

It's a total bloodbath with lots of well known names being waived... Moon Ursin, Chloe Bibby, Kalia Charles, Taja Cole, Jaime Nared, Jazmine Jones, etc...

Not sure why Gordon, Cox and Horvat were waived by LA on 4-29, then "waivers cleared" for all three 5-1. Any idea why LA did that? Don't quite understand the minutia of roster management...

 

[Aluminny69]

Why don't they start a developmental league, like the NBA has?

 

[Cuango]

Why don't they start a developmental league, like the NBA has?

$

 

[TC22]

Just goes to show how hard it is to make a roster. Cunane was waived yesterday by Seattle. Altho she was a 2nd rounder. But a great player in college.

Vegas not only waived Hollingshead, but also Khayla Pointer, the first pick of the 2nd round.

It's a total bloodbath with lots of well known names being waived... Moon Ursin, Chloe Bibby, Kalia Charles, Taja Cole, Jaime Nared, Jazmine Jones, etc...

Not sure why Gordon, Cox and Horvat were waived by LA on 4-29, then "waivers cleared" for all three 5-1. Any idea why LA did that? Don't quite understand the minutia of roster management...

Once they clear waivers they can be picked up by another team. I think it's just a formality. IDK, maybe they have to get all their stuff back or something before they will clear waivers.

 

[Carnac]

Why don't they start a developmental league, like the NBA has?

Most WNBA teams lose money. To start a “G” league for the WNBA would be a money pit. WNBA teams can sufficiently stock their teams from Division 1 WCBB teams and overseas leagues. Some WNBA teams only have 11 players on their roster instead of the 12 they are authorized to carry, not because they can’t find enough players but for financial reasons.

 

[Carnac]

Just goes to show how hard it is to make a roster. Cunane was waived yesterday by Seattle. Altho she was a 2nd rounder. But a great player in college.

Vegas not only waived Hollingshead, but also Khayla Pointer, the first pick of the 2nd round.

It's a total bloodbath with lots of well known names being waived... Moon Ursin, Chloe Bibby, Kalia Charles, Taja Cole, Jaime Nared, Jazmine Jones, etc...

Not sure why Gordon, Cox and Horvat were waived by LA on 4-29, then "waivers cleared" for all three 5-1. Any idea why LA did that? Don't quite understand the minutia of roster management...

It is in fact very hard to make a WNBA roster. Older veterans that are not of your “super star” variety can’t take making the roster for granted every year. There are always rookies coming in every year hungry to make the team at minimum rookie scale wages. A dynamic that is very attractive to the front office.

 

[sun]

Once they clear waivers they can be picked up by another team. I think it's just a formality. IDK, maybe they have to get all their stuff back or something before they will clear waivers.

What does it mean to clear waivers in WNBA?

What this means is that they are placed on the "waiver wire" in which any other team in the NBA can claim him as their own. If the player is claimed they leave the team they were released by for that claimed him.

If multiple teams claim a player on the waiver wire then the team with the overall worst record gets him.
If unclaimed then they clear waivers and become an unrestricted free agent that can sign with any other team.

What Is the NBA in Basketball?

www.rookieroad.com

 

[UcMiami]

Not sure why Gordon, Cox and Horvat were waived by LA on 4-29, then "waivers cleared" for all three 5-1. Any idea why LA did that? Don't quite understand the minutia of roster management...

It is like any pro league where the 'cutting' a young player under contract allows teams in some order (usually the previous years reverse ranking) can place a claim within a set period of time (24-48 hours.) If one or more teams make a claim, the player contract is assigned to the highest team on the ranking to make a claim. If no claim is made, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team. If there is any guaranteed money in the contract a waiver claim moves the guaranteed money to the new team, if no claim is made the guaranteed money is still on the original teams books.

 

[oldhusky]

It has always been hard to make a WNBA roster with only 12 teams, a maximum roster of 12 vs. 15 for the NBA, but the more recent contract made it even more so. With the ceiling for maximum salaries being raised last year while the minimums were close to the same, the cap management strategies have changed quite a bit.

Many teams now consider it strategic to spread their dollars over 11 players instead of 12. In many ways I think it makes sense, instead of spending $60-70M or so on a draftee or vet minimum contract for your 12th player, take that money and maybe upgrade your 6th or 7th best player in the rotation above the minimums.

The bottom line is you can't afford to pay players out of the rotation much more than the minimum. Spend most of your money on the top 7 or 8, close to the minimum for the rest and limit it to a roster of 11. The main issue for draftees is the reduced rosters, but it can also handicap the marginal vet who makes more than the minimum.

If you are say the 9th or 10th best player on the team and make 20 or 30 thousand more than the minimum, you might be replaced by a lesser minimum contract player. Filling out the tail end of the roster is often finding the best minimum player you can get. With this new contract, a hard cap, and incentives to use your limited resources on the top of the roster, I think the really good teams will be more likely to keep 11 than 12 players, and that hurts the prospects for borderline players, both newcomers and vets.

 

[JoePgh]

Most WNBA teams lose money. To start a “G” league for the WNBA would be a money pit. WNBA teams can sufficiently stock their teams from Division 1 WCBB teams and overseas leagues. Some WNBA teams only have 11 players on their roster instead of the 12 they are authorized to carry, not because they can’t find enough players but for financial reasons.

The bolded statement above is broadly true, but may have a misleading implication. Some franchises (e.g., the Connecticut Sun) plan to have an 11-player roster, not because they can't financially afford a 12th player, but because they can't fit a 12th player into the league-wide salary cap.

The salary cap exists so that "rich" franchises such as the Sun can't gain a competitive advantage by buying good players and incurring a larger payroll than other "poor" teams could not afford. There is a similar practice in other professional sports such as MLB, where instead of a hard salary cap, there is a "luxury tax" so that the Yankees / Dodgers / Red Sox are discouraged from spending more than a certain amount for payroll but not completely forbidden from doing so.

 

[sun]

Two of the LA Sparks bigs on the team that Liv is trying to compete against for a roster spot were injured last year and didn't play or produce much, yet are older vets and get paid more.
I thought that was a good sign that those 2 veteran players may get waived in favor of Liv.

WNBA Player Movement & Transactions | WNBA

Get the latest on player movement across the WNBA. Trades, signings, waivers and more.

www.wnba.com

 

[Zarathustra]

In hindsight... I believe that the Minnesota Lynx did a nice job with trading two
current draft picks ( # 8 and # 13, which became two "waived"
players for Las Vegas: Hollingshed and Pointer). The Lynx will have two extra early
picks next year... Could be interesting for Lynx fans = more quality
teammates for N. Collier. Sorry to lose Crystal!!
I also think that Elissa Cunane ( # 17 pick waived by Seattle)
will get another chance this week... where might she go??. Roster
need to be down to at least 12 by seaon's start. (Friday)
Also it looks like 6 guards still on the Seattle Roster. I believe
that the Storm needs to keep a few younger guards with Sue B and
Brianna January being " senior" WNBA players and Jewel Loyd being
a 7 years player, but probably still in her prime playing years. So......Go Evina!
In Los Angeles, ONO has Cambage ( 6'8") ahead of her and probably
A. Zahui (6' 5"). Chiney O. is listed as a Forward - Center and is 6'3". The
Sparks still had 17 players on their roster as of today ( Tuesday ) and nine GUARDS!
I expect most of the required waivers to come from the list of guards??
Chances seem good for Oliva.?? Yes?? GO OLIVIA!

 

[Fossil]

Why don't they start a developmental league, like the NBA has?

I believe they call that Europe

 

[Carnac]

It has always been hard to make a WNBA roster with only 12 teams, a maximum roster of 12 vs. 15 for the NBA, but the more recent contract made it even more so. With the ceiling for maximum salaries being raised last year while the minimums were close to the same, the cap management strategies have changed quite a bit.

Many teams now consider it strategic to spread their dollars over 11 players instead of 12. In many ways I think it makes sense, instead of spending $60-70M or so on a draftee or vet minimum contract for your 12th player, take that money and maybe upgrade your 6th or 7th best player in the rotation above the minimums.

The bottom line is you can't afford to pay players out of the rotation much more than the minimum. Spend most of your money on the top 7 or 8, close to the minimum for the rest and limit it to a roster of 11. The main issue for draftees is the reduced rosters, but it can also handicap the marginal vet who makes more than the minimum.

If you are say the 9th or 10th best player on the team and make 20 or 30 thousand more than the minimum, you might be replaced by a lesser minimum contract player. Filling out the tail end of the roster is often finding the best minimum player you can get. With this new contract, a hard cap, and incentives to use your limited resources on the top of the roster, I think the really good teams will be more likely to keep 11 than 12 players, and that hurts the prospects for borderline players, both newcomers and vets.

Oldhuskie, this is a very good and accurate description of the dynamics of managing and funding a WNBA roster. Thanks.

 

[Carnac]

In hindsight... I believe that the Minnesota Lynx did a nice job with trading two
current draft picks ( # 8 and # 13, which became two "waived"
players for Las Vegas: Hollingshed and Pointer). The Lynx will have two extra early
picks next year... Could be interesting for Lynx fans = more quality
teammates for N. Collier. Sorry to lose Crystal!!
I also think that Elissa Cunane ( # 17 pick waived by Seattle)
will get another chance this week... where might she go??. Roster
need to be down to at least 12 by seaon's start. (Friday)
Also it looks like 6 guards still on the Seattle Roster. I believe
that the Storm needs to keep a few younger guards with Sue B and
Brianna January being " senior" WNBA players and Jewel Loyd being
a 7 years player, but probably still in her prime playing years. So......Go Evina!
In Los Angeles, ONO has Cambage ( 6'8") ahead of her and probably
A. Zahui (6' 5"). Chiney O. is listed as a Forward - Center and is 6'3". The
Sparks still had 17 players on their roster as of today ( Tuesday ) and nine GUARDS!
I expect most of the required waivers to come from the list of guards??
Chances seem good for Oliva.?? Yes?? GO OLIVIA!

Look for more heads to roll before the cut down date on Thursday.
Here are yesterday's cuts: May 2, 2022

Seattle: Perez, Raina – Waived
Seattle: Cunane, Elissa – Waived
Dallas: Walker, Destinee – Waived
Seattle: Harding, Paisley – Waivers Cleared
Seattle: Giacone, Jenna – Waivers Cleared
Phoenix: Gilles, Mael – Waivers Cleared
New York: Shook, Kylee – Personal Decision – Full Season
Las Vegas: Pointer, Khayla – Waived
Las Vegas: Hollingshed, Mya – Waived
Minnesota: Ursin, Moon – Waived
Minnesota: Bibby, Chloe – Waived
Connecticut: Gulbe, Aleksa – Waived
Connecticut: Cole, Taja – Waived
Connecticut: Charles, Kaila – Waived
Minnesota: Collier, Napheesa – Sign Contract Extension
Seattle: Gray, Reshanda- Sign Training Camp Contract
Las Vegas: Mulkey, Nancy – Waived
Chicago: Pulliam, Lindsey – Waived

 

[Alydar]

Why don't they start a developmental league, like the NBA has?

It's the overseas leagues. And they pay a LOT more than the WNBA. And just playing 7 months a year extends your playing life.

 

[jchusky]

the Wnba is not the best lg in the world for women's basketball let's just be honest. They are exactly like the MLS, that's why players leave the states and make more money overseas.

 

[cwaduke]

The WNBA seems to be the toughest to make even a roster. Lots of very good players are going to Europe. More will likely play in Europe and disregard the W. The last contract was very difficult.

 

[DefenseBB]

Just goes to show how hard it is to make a roster. Cunane was waived yesterday by Seattle. Altho she was a 2nd rounder. But a great player in college.

Vegas not only waived Hollingshead, but also Khayla Pointer, the first pick of the 2nd round.

It's a total bloodbath with lots of well known names being waived... Moon Ursin, Chloe Bibby, Kalia Charles, Taja Cole, Jaime Nared, Jazmine Jones, etc...

Not sure why Gordon, Cox and Horvat were waived by LA on 4-29, then "waivers cleared" for all three 5-1. Any idea why LA did that? Don't quite understand the minutia of roster management...

I think in far too many cases it was just poor drafting by a team which was definitely the case in Hollingshead’s case. And I will not be shocked to see a few more get cut shortly as that’s how bad I thought some teams drafted.

Yes, the very hard limit of 12 per team is restrictive but if a team can’t logically pick a 1st round player to help their team, yikes!!! No team is THAT loaded to waive a first round pick before they play any WNBA games.

To make it in this league you have to be EXCEPTIONAL at something to stand out and be coveted. Shooting, rebounding, assists, pick and rolls, in your face defense, something. Far too many of the players listed like Cunnane were very good but not exceptional at these facets.

 

[SVCBeercats]

Why don't they start a developmental league, like the NBA has?

Think Mickey Mouse Club Theme - Money M.O.N.E.Y! The WNBA struggles to put butts in arena seats and family room couches. Who would attend/watch a women's development league? The NBA will only support one charity at a time.

 

[Boreifs]

What is the highest draft choice in the WNBA to be waived and what can be done

Why must something be done? If a team makes a bad choice, it’s their problem. No one should have an automatic job based on a draft order.

 

[JellyBean]

The WNBA is finding itself in a tough spot right now and really there isn't much they can do. There are not enough roster spots on these teams. The League can't expand because of money issues in order to accommodate so much talent. The League can't develop a G-League, again because of money issues. Players like a Chelsea Dungee, Rania Perez, or Elissa Cunane may or may not get a chance to showcase their skills here in the States. Sad.

 

[JoePgh]

the Wnba is not the best lg in the world for women's basketball let's just be honest. They are exactly like the MLS, that's why players leave the states and make more money overseas.

How do you know this? Or are you just assuming that if foreign leagues pay higher salaries (to SOME of their players), they must play better basketball?

The American players who play abroad all say (from the quotes that I have seen) that while their pay is better overseas, the quality of basketball and of coaching is better in the WNBA. And that makes sense -- women's BB in the US is clearly the best in the world as the Olympic results for the last 8 or 10 Olympics prove, and few if any of the best US players are not playing in the WNBA. Sue Bird has been quoted as saying that if you took the best 12 US players who did not make the Olympic team and built another Olympic team from them, it would provide more competition for the Gold Medal than any other nation's team.

What is your source of information? Have you watched a large number of games in foreign leagues? What foreign league champion would you say could beat a WNBA All-Star team, particularly if the American players on the foreign team were removed from their roster?