WNBA 2024 pre-season

[BRS24]

 

[BRS24]

First player out for the upcoming season due to WNBA prioritization rule -

Jessica Shepard to Miss 2024 Season

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced that Jessica Shepard will miss the 2024 WNBA season. Shepard plans to remain in Italy to fulfill contract commitments with her Italian club, Umana Reyer Venezia, and as a result is subject to the WNBA’s collectively bargained...

lynx.wnba.com

 

[TheFarmFan]

Depending on who opts to return or not, the free COVID year could really wreak havoc with LA's near-term prospects: Clark, Brink, Bueckers, Cardoso, Edwards, and Reese - fully half of the projected first round picks - could all either declare or return, and so this year's draft could either be one of the most stacked in recent history, or one of the bigger busts. The second week in April is going to be wild.

 

[Dillon77]

First player out for the upcoming season due to WNBA prioritization rule -

Jessica Shepard to Miss 2024 Season

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced that Jessica Shepard will miss the 2024 WNBA season. Shepard plans to remain in Italy to fulfill contract commitments with her Italian club, Umana Reyer Venezia, and as a result is subject to the WNBA’s collectively bargained...

lynx.wnba.com

Well, that Alanna Smith signing is starting to get some context now...

 

[Dillon77]

Megan G. and the Aces come out winners here, in my humble opinion. Has really worked on expanding her game, hustles her you-know-what off and is allegedly a very good, supportive teammate. She will probably only get short stints on the court but she'll maximize them and be ready.

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Megan G. and the Aces come out winners here, in my humble opinion. Has really worked on expanding her game, hustles her you-know-what off and is allegedly a very good, supportive teammate. She will probably only get short stints on the court but she'll maximize them and be ready.

I think she takes Cayla spot, but could end up playing more minutes depending how effective she is.

 

[Geew1992]

Courtney Williams to sign two-year deal with Lynx, source says

Unrestricted free agent Courtney Williams is set to sign with Minnesota, a source said Wednesday.

www.espn.com

 

[Geew1992]

 

[Dillon77]

Courtney Williams to sign two-year deal with Lynx, source says

Unrestricted free agent Courtney Williams is set to sign with Minnesota, a source said Wednesday.

www.espn.com

If Williams follows Smith to Minnesota, that would give the Lynx two point guards in a few days (with Heideman joining, as well).

Would sure seem like there's plenty of air for Sky(lar) Diggins-Smith in Chicago....

 

[ochoopsfan]

 

[cancontent]

If Williams follows Smith to Minnesota, that would give the Lynx two point guards in a few days (with Heideman joining, as well).

Would sure seem like there's plenty of air for Sky(lar) Diggins-Smith in Chicago....

Yeah, about that theory.

 

[cancontent]

 

[Dillon77]

Yeah, about that theory.

Yeah, about that theory.

Well, she's going to disappoint the easy headline writers in Chicago.

Looks like Jewell did some active selling work....and now the Nurse trade (and draft choice) makes some sense, too: open up cash.....

 

[Dillon77]

Whoa. Indiana Went After a New Wing and she's very familiar, according to the Next:

"The Indiana have agreed to a two-year, full protection contract with Katie Lou Samuelson, adding the versatile forward as she returns to the WNBA after missing the 2023 season due to pregnancy — giving birth to Aliya Renae in August 2023. The Fever won a spirited bidding war for Samuelson's services, with six teams making serious offers to obtain the former University of Connecticut standout."

 

[Dillon77]

Yeah, about that theory.

Well, Chicago did sign a point guard who is an ND alum (just not the one I initially thought):

Noon ET: The Chicago Sky have signed Lindsay Allen. The guard started 20 games for the Minnesota Lynx last season and averaged 6.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and a career-high 4.5 assists in 24.1 minutes.

Not that this factored into it, but Skylar Diggins-Smith played with Jewel Loyd at ND,
while Lindsey Allen knows Marina Mabrey. One thing to say about Allen: she is a true point guard and will distribute the ball to Copper, Mabrey, etc.

 

[nickp91]

Natasha Cloud signing with Phoenix mercury that’s crazy

 

[GamecockFam]

Whoa. Indiana Went After a New Wing and she's very familiar, according to the Next:

"The Indiana have agreed to a two-year, full protection contract with Katie Lou Samuelson, adding the versatile forward as she returns to the WNBA after missing the 2023 season due to pregnancy — giving birth to Aliya Renae in August 2023. The Fever won a spirited bidding war for Samuelson's services, with six teams making serious offers to obtain the former University of Connecticut standout."

That was one of their weak spots last season, so it's good to see they're trying to do something about it. Draft Caitlin Clark and find a competent big to back up Boston and Smith, and I think they'll have the right mix of players to be in the top half of the league.

 

[Geew1992]

Rachel Banham to the Sun

 

[TheFarmFan]

My head is already spinning and there's a lot more to come. Feels like nearly every team will be significantly different except Vegas, Libs, Dallas, and Indiana.

 

[Geew1992]

McDonald to the sparks for Canada

 

[BRS24]

Tina Charles to Atlanta

 

[TheFarmFan]

Tina Charles to Atlanta

Tina should now have WNBA BINGO, as this is her fifth team in as many years. Actually, come to think of it, she's played for half the teams in the league. I wonder of any other players can say that?

 

[Geew1992]

Tina should now have WNBA BINGO, as this is her fifth team in as many years. Actually, come to think of it, she's played for half the teams in the league. I wonder of any other players can say that?

Katie lou is pretty close

 

[Geew1992]

Tina Charles to Atlanta

Tina and Renee together again

 

[Geew1992]

 

[bballnut90]

Diggins-Smith to Seattle is a big land, makes sense why they released Nurse + #4 pick. Curious to see if they can pull in Nneka. Losing that #4 pick could bite them in the butt long term. I could see that pick (Edwards/Cardoso/Rickea Jackson) becoming an excellent pro.

Cloud to Phoenix is another massive land. I'm not seeing them as a realistic title threat but she's a significant upgrade from Jefferson and this should propel to being a playoff contender. The big question is how Tibbetts does as head coach with no experience or familiarity with the WNBA prior to this year.

Atlanta is a nice landing spot for Tina Charles. I'm not sure how they snaked Canada away from the Sparks in return for McDonald, they definitely won that deal. I think they're a middle of the pack team this year. Charles/Howard/Canada is a nice core, but they all have their flaws which I think limits their potential.

So much change this offseason. Funny thing is, it might all be for naught if Vegas/Liberty just steamroll everyone again.

 

[Matthew1589]

That was one of their weak spots last season, so it's good to see they're trying to do something about it. Draft Caitlin Clark and find a competent big to back up Boston and Smith, and I think they'll have the right mix of players to be in the top half of the league.

Damiris Dantas former Lynx PF/C signs with the Fever.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Katie lou is pretty close

Karlie too I think.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'm not sure how they snaked Canada away from the Sparks in return for McDonald, they definitely won that deal.

Canada was leaving regardless, so the Sparks were able to get something in return at least.

 

[nwhoopfan]

I'm highly suspect of Charles at this point. The last 3 teams she played for, they were better without her than with her. If I was management for Atlanta, I don't think I would risk bringing her in to a fairly decent young core group of players they are developing.