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WNBA 2024 pre-season

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www.espn.com

WNBA offseason trade grades 2024: Winners and losers

Chicago and Phoenix, which met in the 2021 WNBA Finals, completed the biggest trade of the 2024 offseason so far. Which team scored the higher grade?
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Pelton sees Chicago getting the better end of the trade with Phoenix. He makes what I think is important point when trying to handicap the handicapped Mercury:

'The other key question is what level of play Phoenix will get from Taurasi. If she's willing to move into a complementary role on offense after using 29% of the Mercury's plays last season, her highest mark since 2011,..."

Well that's why the newbie coach is the highest paid in the league. I'm sure he'll have no trouble convincing DT to do this.

Colton after looking at the finances makes it clear there's no way EDD ends up in Vslley of the Sun unless she takes a real haircut.

And finally, the GOAT's health

"The biggest question for Phoenix's hopes of advancing in the 2024 playoffs will be the team's health and depth. Taurasi played 26 games last season and has missed 35 of the Mercury's 108 games over the past three years
 
azfan said:
www.espn.com

WNBA offseason trade grades 2024: Winners and losers

Chicago and Phoenix, which met in the 2021 WNBA Finals, completed the biggest trade of the 2024 offseason so far. Which team scored the higher grade?
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Pelton sees Chicago getting the better end of the trade with Phoenix. He makes what I think is important point when trying to handicap the handicapped Mercury:

'The other key question is what level of play Phoenix will get from Taurasi. If she's willing to move into a complementary role on offense after using 29% of the Mercury's plays last season, her highest mark since 2011,..."

Well that's why the newbie coach is the highest paid in the league. I'm sure he'll have no trouble convincing DT to do this.

Colton after looking at the finances makes it clear there's no way EDD ends up in Vslley of the Sun unless she takes a real haircut.

And finally, the GOAT's health

"The biggest question for Phoenix's hopes of advancing in the 2024 playoffs will be the team's health and depth. Taurasi played 26 games last season and has missed 35 of the Mercury's 108 games over the past three years
Expand ...

Phoenix not landing EDD is a big loss IMO. Who is projected to play the 4 now that Turner is gone?

The author makes a great point about DT—she isn’t someone you want to run a large chunk of your offense through like was able to handle 10 years ago. Cloud/Copper are great pickups, but DT is far from being a top level player and Griner isn’t the same force she was 5-7 years ago. I think Phoenix could make the playoffs but don’t see them as legitimate title contenders if they’re relying on DT/Griner to be the stars that get them there. Not to mention having a completely unproven coach take over the reigns.
 
nwhoopfan said:
You only have to go back to the season before her incarceration, it wasn't nearly that long ago. She was unstoppable in the playoffs the year they were in the Finals against the Sky.
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That’s true with offense, but I think she’s regressed quite a bit as a defender and shot blocker over the course of her career. Early in her career she seemed to really own the paint and dominate, but the last 5-6 years it looks like she’s going through the motions rather than a player who is dialed in and laser focused.
 
bballnut90 said:
That’s true with offense, but I think she’s regressed quite a bit as a defender and shot blocker over the course of her career. Early in her career she seemed to really own the paint and dominate, but the last 5-6 years it looks like she’s going through the motions rather than a player who is dialed in and laser focused.
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Okay, I'll buy that. Just looked at stats, her blocks have definitely fallen off since early in her career.
 
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bballnut90 said:
Phoenix not landing EDD is a big loss IMO. Who is projected to play the 4 now that Turner is gone?

The author makes a great point about DT—she isn’t someone you want to run a large chunk of your offense through like was able to handle 10 years ago. Cloud/Copper are great pickups, but DT is far from being a top level player and Griner isn’t the same force she was 5-7 years ago. I think Phoenix could make the playoffs but don’t see them as legitimate title contenders if they’re relying on DT/Griner to be the stars that get them there. Not to mention having a completely unproven coach take over the reigns.
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This was an either-or scenario. Would have traded for EDD instead of Copper?
 
I have liked EDD as a player since she joined the league. We all know the story of leaving UConn and winding up at Delaware. I wondered in college if she was as good as her stats and sure enough, she was every bit as good as advertised in the W.

Her career trajectory reminds me somewhat of Lauren Jackson: when healthy she's easily one of the best in the world but health has been a concern the past few years and it's a variety of aliments.

I hope she is able and willing to come back another season or two and finish off a great career. I feel the same way about Parker in that I hope she stays healthy enough to play a full season and end her career in a fitting fashion.
 
bballnut90 said:
Phoenix not landing EDD is a big loss IMO. Who is projected to play the 4 now that Turner is gone?

The author makes a great point about DT—she isn’t someone you want to run a large chunk of your offense through like was able to handle 10 years ago. Cloud/Copper are great pickups, but DT is far from being a top level player and Griner isn’t the same force she was 5-7 years ago. I think Phoenix could make the playoffs but don’t see them as legitimate title contenders if they’re relying on DT/Griner to be the stars that get them there. Not to mention having a completely unproven coach take over the reigns.
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If she's undecided about her future, how is it that Phoenix didn't land her? Couldn't the same be said about Washington failing to retain her?
 
cancontent said:
If she's undecided about her future, how is it that Phoenix didn't land her? Couldn't the same be said about Washington failing to retain her?
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I may be misinformed, but I believe Washington placed a code designation on her, meaning she wasn’t an unrestricted free agent. Phoenix would have had to acquire her via trade. Had they not cored her, she likely could’ve signed for the vet minimum to join forces with a team like Phoenix. I do wonder if she really wanted out of Washington, and is stepping away from the game because she doesn’t want to play for them, and nobody can trade for her. No cap space or available assets to set up a trade. Similar situation to Fowles back in her Chicago days, demanding a trade.

Or she genuinely is deciding if she wants to play at all moving forward. Wouldn’t be a surprise given her history and health. Either way, hope to see her back to cap off one of the more underrated spectacular careers.
 
nwhoopfan said:
You only have to go back to the season before her incarceration, it wasn't nearly that long ago. She was unstoppable in the playoffs the year they were in the Finals against the Sky.
Expand ...
The fact that Griner played at all last year--5 months after she was released from Russia--is remarkable. The fact that she played at a very high level [though not at her highest level] is even more extraordinary. Also, no one would argue that the Mercury had a great roster (or coach) last year.

She is not getting any younger, but very interested to see how she performs under new coach, new roster, and with a full offseason to heal and prep.
 
Rb335 said:
I may be misinformed, but I believe Washington placed a code designation on her, meaning she wasn’t an unrestricted free agent. Phoenix would have had to acquire her via trade. Had they not cored her, she likely could’ve signed for the vet minimum to join forces with a team like Phoenix. I do wonder if she really wanted out of Washington, and is stepping away from the game because she doesn’t want to play for them, and nobody can trade for her. No cap space or available assets to set up a trade. Similar situation to Fowles back in her Chicago days, demanding a trade.

Or she genuinely is deciding if she wants to play at all moving forward. Wouldn’t be a surprise given her history and health. Either way, hope to see her back to cap off one of the more underrated spectacular careers.
Expand ...
Correct. Washington cored her so they would not lose anything if she elected to play elsewhere, and if she sits out the entire season, they can core her again next year.
www.espn.com

Where does Elena Delle Donne's absence leave the Mystics?

The two-time MVP won't sign with Washington and is taking time away from hoops. Where does it leave the Mystics? Will Delle Donne play this season?
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Delle Donne received the core designation from the Mystics last month. A core player loses her unrestricted free agent status, giving her team exclusive negotiating rights. The player is automatically offered a one-year supermax deal (that is $241,984 for 2024); her only other option to play elsewhere that season is via trade.​
​
 
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Rb335 said:
I may be misinformed, but I believe Washington placed a code designation on her, meaning she wasn’t an unrestricted free agent. Phoenix would have had to acquire her via trade. Had they not cored her, she likely could’ve signed for the vet minimum to join forces with a team like Phoenix. I do wonder if she really wanted out of Washington, and is stepping away from the game because she doesn’t want to play for them, and nobody can trade for her. No cap space or available assets to set up a trade. Similar situation to Fowles back in her Chicago days, demanding a trade.

Or she genuinely is deciding if she wants to play at all moving forward. Wouldn’t be a surprise given her history and health. Either way, hope to see her back to cap off one of the more underrated spectacular careers.
Expand ...

Didn't Washington offer her a one year deal as well? That's what I was referring to.
 
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Well if Hartley could actually stay healthy she could help the Aces, but I have my doubts about that. They need to upgrade their guard reserves IMO.
 
nwhoopfan said:
Well if Hartley could actually stay healthy she could help the Aces, but I have my doubts about that. They need to upgrade their guard reserves IMO.
Expand ...
They do indeed and Hartley has a chance if healthy. Vegas doesn't have a first round pick, but a couple of seconds. That and currently unemployed former WNBA players are their best bet for the last roster spot or two.
 
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azfan said:
www.espn.com

WNBA offseason trade grades 2024: Winners and losers

Chicago and Phoenix, which met in the 2021 WNBA Finals, completed the biggest trade of the 2024 offseason so far. Which team scored the higher grade?
www.espn.com www.espn.com

Pelton sees Chicago getting the better end of the trade with Phoenix. He makes what I think is important point when trying to handicap the handicapped Mercury:

'The other key question is what level of play Phoenix will get from Taurasi. If she's willing to move into a complementary role on offense after using 29% of the Mercury's plays last season, her highest mark since 2011,..."

Well that's why the newbie coach is the highest paid in the league. I'm sure he'll have no trouble convincing DT to do this.

Colton after looking at the finances makes it clear there's no way EDD ends up in Vslley of the Sun unless she takes a real haircut.

And finally, the GOAT's health

"The biggest question for Phoenix's hopes of advancing in the 2024 playoffs will be the team's health and depth. Taurasi played 26 games last season and has missed 35 of the Mercury's 108 games over the past three years
Expand ...
I can't really figure out the game-plan for Phoenix. They added significant salaries and at least using the numbers on her hoops stats it appears that they would have trouble resigning Griner for anywhere near her market value even if they filled the rest of the roster with minimum contracts, and only had 11.

The estimates for the salaries may be way off, but on the surface Phoenix looks to be done for a significant addition and still will have trouble finding enough money for Griner. Maybe I was off by one on the number of minimum contracts required to get to 11, but when I looked at it the other day the math didn't work for Phoenix giving Griner anywhere close to market value with the rest of the roster being minimums.

Maybe they have something planned for a salary dump but it almost looks like they may have screwed up the math, or Her Hoops Stats numbers are way off.
 
JellyBean said:
Coach Quinn got some players now. I hope everyone can stay healthy, buy in, and play together. Seattle could be a force in the West.
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A nice group of players, but Quinn has screwed up in the past.
It's time she proves she can actually coach a good team, rather then mess it up.
 
wbbhoops278 said:
That feels like a very spot on comparison!
Expand ...
Jackson was a more aggressive and dare I day "dirtier" player on the whole but EDD is no shrinking violet and tougher than I originally thought. I hope she is able to rest, heal, and find herself in a situation in the W that let's us see her talents for a little bit longer.
 
baggerbob said:
A nice group of players, but Quinn has screwed up in the past.
It's time she proves she can actually coach a good team, rather then mess it up.
Expand ...
I do think Quinn has a lot to prove, but not sure I'd say she's "messed up" a team. The year she took over, they made playoffs but lost to Phoenix (in OT) in single game elimination where B. Stewart didn't play.

Her second year, they lost to Vegas in one of the best series the league has ever seen, a series that was decided by inches.

Last year the roster was gutted and I actually think she got some pretty decent performances out of her team.
 
Chennedy Carter has signed a training camp contract with Chicago. Replacement for Copper? :rolleyes:
 
nwhoopfan said:
Chennedy Carter has signed a training camp contract with Chicago. Replacement for Copper? :rolleyes:
Expand ...
Had honestly forgotten all about her, and that she and Liz Cambage were part of Derek Fisher's ill-fated swan song with the Sparks. Honestly, in some respects it's a wonder Nneka stayed in LA as long as she did. She must really like the town given how much of a mess the organization has been...
 
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