WNBA Off-Season

[Reypl21]

Brianna Turner Signs With Fever

After one year at Chicago, former WNBA All-Defensive forward signs with the Indian Fever, where she can back up Natasha Howard, Aaliyah Boston, et all. "Breezy Bri" probably won't play that much more than she did for the Sky, but her new team -- the Fever -- will probably be winning more games. And she'll back with former Mercury teammate, Sophie Cunningham.

I always thought Brianna's talents could be utilized with CC. Her best years were with good offensive guards like DT and SDS. They would find her off the pick and roll and on rim runs. If she runs the floor hard she should get good opportunities. Like you said, she's not going to be logging huge minutes. But I'm really glad she found a spot, and I think she can flourish there.

 

[Dillon77]

I always thought Brianna's talents could be utilized with CC. Her best years were with good offensive guards like DT and SDS. They would find her off the pick and roll and on rim runs. If she runs the floor hard she should get good opportunities. Like you said, she's not going to be logging huge minutes. But I'm really glad she found a spot, and I think she can flourish there.

She did very well with good feeders in college, as well, like Lindsay Allen and Marina Mabrey. She's also a very good team player.
Agree with you...she'll contribute, even if not for a lot of time.

 

[Dillon77]

Transactions from the WNBA Website, as of February 17, 2025

• Elena Tsineke signed a Training Camp Contract with the Las Vegas Aces.
• Abbey Hsu signed a Rookie Scale Contract with the Connecticut Sun. (Hsu had an extended cup of coffee last year with the Sun, but think it was on a training camp contract....Let's see how this one plays out.)

 

[Dillon77]

Sun President Rizzotti Talks About Facilities, Off-Season Activity

Some highlights:

• Jen Rizzotti says management is not hitting the panic button: "We have a vision for what we want which is retooling the roster and reset our culture," Rizzotti said
• Defends the Mohegan Tribe regarding facilities and expects infrastructure movement: "There isn't an owner in this league that doesn't think that they will need a dedicated practice facility within the next two to three years to have a W team… Whether they've announced it publicly or not, every owner knows that's a reality they're facing."
• Marina Mabrey's request for a trade has been denied. "We knew at the time that she had already forced her way out of two teams, so it was a bit risky for us to trade for her, but we felt like it was worth it,” Rizzotti said. Mabrey's contract runs through this season and she -- like many WNBA vets -- will be unrestricted free agent in 2026.
• Happy with new GM Morgan Tuck's performance, but not pleased with the way other team's GM's and player agents have treated Tuck.

Here's the full article.

MSN

 

[bballnut90]

Sun President Rizzotti Talks About Facilities, Off-Season Activity

Some highlights:

• Jen Rizzotti says management is not hitting the panic button: "We have a vision for what we want which is retooling the roster and reset our culture," Rizzotti said
• Defends the Mohegan Tribe regarding facilities and expects infrastructure movement: "There isn't an owner in this league that doesn't think that they will need a dedicated practice facility within the next two to three years to have a W team… Whether they've announced it publicly or not, every owner knows that's a reality they're facing."
• Marina Mabrey's request for a trade has been denied. "We knew at the time that she had already forced her way out of two teams, so it was a bit risky for us to trade for her, but we felt like it was worth it,” Rizzotti said. Mabrey's contract runs through this season and she -- like many WNBA vets -- will be unrestricted free agent in 2026.
• Happy with new GM Morgan Tuck's performance, but not pleased with the way other team's GM's and player agents have treated Tuck.

Here's the full article.

MSN

Publicly throwing Mabrey under the bus like that is quite a choice.

To be honest though, Connecticut could be a half decent team this year with a core of Cloud/Mabrey/Meesseman/Charles

 

[GCKSFN4L]

Publicly throwing Mabrey under the bus like that is quite a choice.

To be honest though, Connecticut could be a half decent team this year with a core of Cloud/Mabrey/Meesseman/Charles

Meesseman isn't confirmed yet by the way.

 

[Dillon77]

Publicly throwing Mabrey under the bus like that is quite a choice.

To be honest though, Connecticut could be a half decent team this year with a core of Cloud/Mabrey/Meesseman/Charles

I agree with you regarding the core of the Sun: If Meesemman does come aboard, that's not a bad group to run with for a year. And considering a huge amount of the league's vets are then UFA's, the whole league is a bunch of lottery balls.

As for the Mabrey situation, in somewhat chronological order:

• Who knows how the exact order of events happened in Dallas, but the guy who made it all happen was James Wade, the coach and GM of the Chicago Sky, who wanted Mabrey quite a bit and (probably) spent waay too much to get her. The player I remember protesting (a lot): Alisha Gray requested -- and got -- a trade, as well.
• As per the Chicago - Connecticut trade fallout: hey, it wasn't Mabrey that oversaw five of the six rotation players and the coach leave after the season. After two months, one could call that a bait and switch situation.
• However, Mabrey and her agent waited too long, in my opinion to request the trade. Most rosters were set. Given that she's going to just be there a year, she's in great shape to start, play a lot and shoot her arm off (see Arike post below) to get ready for a big (probably) last contract.

All that said, it will be interesting to see if this denial is a just a smokescreen to buy time until Meesemman does/does not come aboard. But, one thing I can guarantee as a person who has watched Mabrey at every level -- High School, College and Pro -- she'll play hard and to the best of her abilities regardless of the situation. Stay tuned.

 

[Dillon77]

Publicly throwing Mabrey under the bus like that is quite a choice.

To be honest though, Connecticut could be a half decent team this year with a core of Cloud/Mabrey/Meesseman/Charles

I know what one of Marina's best friends thinks about this situation and it's perfectly in keeping.

 

[cancontent]

Publicly throwing Mabrey under the bus like that is quite a choice.

To be honest though, Connecticut could be a half decent team this year with a core of Cloud/Mabrey/Meesseman/Charles

Not to mention other GMs and agents in the league. I get that she's supporting Tuck but could she be ruffling feathers further by making it public?

 

[Dillon77]

Not to mention other GMs and agents in the league. I get that she's supporting Tuck but could she be ruffling feathers further by making it public?

Coud be? Little bit of executive remorse here? Last I checked, it was Rizzotti who put a neophyte GM in charge of a highly transitional off-season. With all due respect, no one expects GM's or agents to wear velvet gloves during negotiations. Little too much protesting coming out of eastern Connecticut...

 

[Dillon77]

Connecticut Sun Off-Season, Part 47....

Someone at the Sun realizes (serious) damage control is needed after Mabrey's agent responds to Jen Rizzotti throwing Mabrey under the bus. Call ESPN and try to put (some) positive spin.

Some key excerpts:

"Mabrey's agent, Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM agency, fired back at the franchise's decision in a statement provided to ESPN on Tuesday.

"In this current age of women's empowerment and support of the players, the CT Sun threatening to force Marina Mabrey to play for them after her trade request is mind-boggling," Crenshaw said. "Why would anyone try to force someone to play on their team when they don't want to be there? It's counterproductive in a ton of ways and everyone we have spoken to is perplexed about how they are handling Marina, after trading away Hall of Fame caliber players.

"The coach parted ways. No free agents returned and they are doing all they can to try and force Marina to stay when she clearly doesn't want to be there. It's interesting."

"Sun president Jennifer Rizzotti told ESPN that the organization decided it "wasn't in our best interest to move her because of the value that we gave up to get her, but also that we place on her."

"The reasons that we have for not trading Marina are rooted in positivity," Rizzotti told ESPN. "It's rooted in a desire to build around her, have her here, have her be the catalyst for what we want to do offensively, taking advantage of her versatility, knowing that the style that [coach] Rashid [Meziane] plays with will suit her game, and knowing that we can put her in an individual situation to be really successful as this current CBA closes and a new one opens."


My druthers:

• Do you get the impression that these conversations were not held (much) earlier in the process?
• This board has all recognized that the Sun, ahem, didn't exactly look like they had a plan in the place when the firemen exited the burning firehouse. Note agent's comments.
• Weirdly though, I do think Rizzotti has a point: Mabrey, Cloud, Charles and -- if signed -- Meesemann could do well under the style of ball Meziane likes to employ. Go with if for a season and then make a decision where to go with the next round of contract negotiations (for virtually anyone).
• Other groups that Rizzotti could have pissed off that could hurt the team: other GM's and agents. Geez Louise
• The GIF that may have prompted this ESPN story: Arike Ogunbowale (that noted contract negotiator).

Stay tuned.


Whole article link:

Sun deny Mabrey trade request as agent fires back

The Connecticut Sun denied guard Marina Mabrey's request to be traded, a move she asked for earlier this month.

www.espn.com

 

[TheFarmFan]

"Mabrey's agent, Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM agency, fired back at the franchise's decision in a statement provided to ESPN on Tuesday.

"In this current age of women's empowerment and support of the players, the CT Sun threatening to force Marina Mabrey to play for them after her trade request is mind-boggling," Crenshaw said. "Why would anyone try to force someone to play on their team when they don't want to be there? It's counterproductive in a ton of ways and everyone we have spoken to is perplexed about how they are handling Marina, after trading away Hall of Fame caliber players.

Forgive me if this sounds old fashioned, but isn't that the point of signing a contract? You pledge to agree to its terms, even (and especially) if conditions change such that you no longer want to do so. The logical endpoint of her agent's position is every player should be a free agent able to leave or renegotiate her contract with her team on a game-by-game basis. For lots and lots of reasons, that's not tenable, but the occasional downside of contracted rights is discontented obligors like Mabrey here. Fortunately she's making a guaranteed $200k for a little over four months' work, so she shouldn't be crying too hard into her cheerios.

 

[hoopsdiva]

I know what one of Marina's best friends thinks about this situation and it's perfectly in keeping.

Since Marina will be a UFA next year (along with many, many other players) this seems like a less than optimal way of increasing her monetary value to potential future employers.

 

[Dillon77]

Forgive me if this sounds old fashioned, but isn't that the point of signing a contract? You pledge to agree to its terms, even (and especially) if conditions change such that you no longer want to do so. The logical endpoint of her agent's position is every player should be a free agent able to leave or renegotiate her contract with her team on a game-by-game basis. For lots and lots of reasons, that's not tenable, but the occasional downside of contracted rights is discontented obligors like Mabrey here. Fortunately she's making a guaranteed $200k for a little over four months' work, so she shouldn't be crying too hard into her cheerios.

(Opening thought: Even though Ms. Mabrey and I are both alumni of the same school, I'm not taking her side per se here, but looking at this from numerous perspectives...that said: here we go.)

- You and many posters on McGraw's Bench (which theoretically should be sympathetic to Mabrey) have voiced the adherence to a contract or implicit agreement with an employer. If you don't mind a generalization, I'm guessing many of us are of the age that were conditioned to respect authority's rules of engagement. In short, "You signed the contract...tough it out." As @hoopsdiva and I have pointed out, she'll be a UFA next year anyways (as will seemingly half the league), so play hard and take advantage of the situation: it could pay off.

- That said, Mabrey's not the only person to request trades or tell employers they don't want to resign or be cored. There's nothing wrong with the request. And Mabrey or her agent hasn't said anything about not playing or phoning it in: I highly doubt Marina Mabrey phones anything in, even her cooking videos!

This current generation -- I've contributed four -- work hard but often let people know what they think about institutions with their feet, like it or not. Look at transfers in general and the portal. By contrast, many our age were taught stick-to-it-niveness, that can be taken to a harmful degree, truth be told.

- Connecticut is not above reproach here. Quite candidly, I think this administration -- led by Rizzotti -- underperformed and she was called on it, resulting in the initial interview which didn't go over well. The ESPN follow-up is more reasonable for all concerned. Let's hope that sets the tonality for all concerned.

Stay tuned.

 

[packwrap]

This sets up an interesting and entertaining conflict between an old school sports manager in Rizzotti (Tuck) vs a new school player in Mabrey.

We've all seen recently with many players in NBA and NFL that an unhappy player can quickly be a cancer to a team and indeed force a trade. (Recent best example is Jimmy Butler).

Historically, management in sports has treated players poorly. Guaranteed big money contracts now really protect players. Take QB Russell Wilson. New regime in Denver wanted him out. His guaranteed contract meant they had to pay him $49 million to sit out the season!

If this ended up in court, Wilson still would have had the $50 million from his previous year in his checking account, so not like a little unemployment was going to impact his lifestyle. Of course this drama ended up with Wilson in Pittsburgh on a $1 million contract, while Denver paid the other $49 million and had to have that on their salary cap.

On a still small WNBA salary level, Katie Lou Samuelson in same position now as Wilson. Of her guaranteed $180,000 salary for '25, Fever will pay her $110,000 and new team will pay her $70,000. This split was negotiated amicably.

So last thought is Rizzotti is getting tossed under the bus for 'losing all her stars.' Well she didn't really lose them. The players all had contracts ending in 2024, honored them faithfully, and chose to use their free agent rights.

Rizzotti could be criticized perhaps for not more carefully planning for a free agent exodus, or not communicating a plan to fans. It's not her fault, however, if a player completes their deal and then signs with another team.

 

[cancontent]

This sets up an interesting and entertaining conflict between an old school sports manager in Rizzotti (Tuck) vs a new school player in Mabrey.

We've all seen recently with many players in NBA and NFL that an unhappy player can quickly be a cancer to a team and indeed force a trade. (Recent best example is Jimmy Butler).

Historically, management in sports has treated players poorly. Guaranteed big money contracts now really protect players. Take QB Russell Wilson. New regime in Denver wanted him out. His guaranteed contract meant they had to pay him $49 million to sit out the season!

If this ended up in court, Wilson still would have had the $50 million from his previous year in his checking account, so not like a little unemployment was going to impact his lifestyle. Of course this drama ended up with Wilson in Pittsburgh on a $1 million contract, while Denver paid the other $49 million and had to have that on their salary cap.

On a still small WNBA salary level, Katie Lou Samuelson in same position now as Wilson. Of her guaranteed $180,000 salary for '25, Fever will pay her $110,000 and new team will pay her $70,000. This split was negotiated amicably.

So last thought is Rizzotti is getting tossed under the bus for 'losing all her stars.' Well she didn't really lose them. The players all had contracts ending in 2024, honored them faithfully, and chose to use their free agent rights.

Rizzotti could be criticized perhaps for not more carefully planning for a free agent exodus, or not communicating a plan to fans. It's not her fault, however, if a player completes their deal and then signs with another team.

If my memory is correct, two completed their contracts (Jones and Bonner) and two were traded (Thomas and Carrington).

While yes, Jones and Bonner honoured their contracts, obviously the Sun didn't present a situation where they saw themselves being part of any longer. That's a loss to some as the front office didn't do their job in retaining them.

In Thomas and Carrington's case, the Sun opted to get something in return before they became free agents. Some will see this as a loss because of what they got in return or the fact the front office couldn't see a way where they could convince these players to stay. Especially Thomas who has drafted by the Sun in 2014.

 

[packwrap]

In Thomas and Carrington's case, the Sun opted to get something in return before they became free agents. Some will see this as a loss because of what they got in return or the fact the front office couldn't see a way where they could convince these players to stay. Especially Thomas who has drafted by the Sun in 2014.

It's just so hard in today's world to blame management for losing a free agent. WNBA salaries are embarasingly low with $225,000 top salary less than an NBA rookie.

Players fight hard in CBA for right to be free agent. Every team now loses players, as surprise, players like to use free agency to play with friends, join a contender, or live in their favorite city! So far, it still isn't for the money, as there is so little.

If a well paid NYC Banker leaves a firm to relocate to LA or London due quality of life, no one is blaming the CEO, or hr department. It's simply their right to move.

You mention convincing Thomas, since she was drafted by Sun. Note Stewart, Plum, DelleDonne, etc all drafted stars, who chose to leave their initial teams as free agents. Management has no loyalty to players they draft, cutting draft picks in many cases with no intent to ever play them. Why should a team expect loyalty from their drafted players?

I just don't get the vitriol with the Sun. This happens all the time in other pro sports, even in the W, and really is just a sign of progress in player free agency rights.

The Sun did their jobs in getting something back for players, where they could. If they traded them last year, they may have done even better, but they went for a title in 2024 instead.

 

[cancontent]

It's just so hard in today's world to blame management for losing a free agent. WNBA salaries are embarasingly low with $225,000 top salary less than an NBA rookie.

Players fight hard in CBA for right to be free agent. Every team now loses players, as surprise, players like to use free agency to play with friends, join a contender, or live in their favorite city! So far, it still isn't for the money, as there is so little.

If a well paid NYC Banker leaves a firm to relocate to LA or London due quality of life, no one is blaming the CEO, or hr department. It's simply their right to move.

You mention convincing Thomas, since she was drafted by Sun. Note Stewart, Plum, DelleDonne, etc all drafted stars, who chose to leave their initial teams as free agents. Management has no loyalty to players they draft, cutting draft picks in many cases with no intent to ever play them. Why should a team expect loyalty from their drafted players?

I just don't get the vitriol with the Sun. This happens all the time in other pro sports, even in the W, and really is just a sign of progress in player free agency rights.

The Sun did their jobs in getting something back for players, where they could. If they traded them last year, they may have done even better, but they went for a title in 2024 instead.

That is all understood, however my response was to clarify the "all free agents" comment as that isn't the case. And I agree management has no loyalty, however they must have done something right in the past to keep a player like Thomas on their roster for as long as they did. Even prior to the changing landscape of the WNBA, that is an accomplishment with some of the examples provided.

Regarding the vitriol (great choice in words), I can understand the fanbase's reaction. They just saw a competitive team change drastically over the course of a couple weeks. Don't think they've seen that much change in a long time, so the reaction is understandable. No different than any fanbase of a consistently competitive team, like the Patriots, Giants, Dallas Mavericks, etc., when mainstays leave. Like you said, it happens in pro sports, however it goes both ways in my opinion.

 

[ochoopsfan]

Partly related to WNBA
Dorka playing now for Italian team Schio in a Euroleague Semi Final Play In Game

 

[Bigboote]

. . .

- Connecticut is not above reproach here. . .

Yeah, plenty of blame to go around here. Being of good New England stock, I've never been a big believer in airing dirty laundry. There's an old Vermont joke the punchline of which is, "In Vermont we don't talk unless we can improve on the silence."

Rizzotti definitely expressed some thoughts publicly that would've been better left unsaid.

And, yes, Mabrey has every right to request a trade. But she and her agent shouldn't be surprised that a second trade request in six months wasn't granted. It's possible the Sun tried to move her and weren't able to, or likely that they weren't able to get for her anything near what they gave up to get her.

 

[ochoopsfan]

KLS

 

[bballnut90]

Forgive me if this sounds old fashioned, but isn't that the point of signing a contract? You pledge to agree to its terms, even (and especially) if conditions change such that you no longer want to do so. The logical endpoint of her agent's position is every player should be a free agent able to leave or renegotiate her contract with her team on a game-by-game basis. For lots and lots of reasons, that's not tenable, but the occasional downside of contracted rights is discontented obligors like Mabrey here. Fortunately she's making a guaranteed $200k for a little over four months' work, so she shouldn't be crying too hard into her cheerios.

Furthermore, no one is holding a gun to Marina’s head to make her play there. She can sit out if she wants to. Several players in the past have chose this option. Also, for her male agent to make claims about this going against women empowerment is really rich considering everything going on in the world right now.

 

[Geew1992]

KLS to Seattle on a one year deal

 

[triaddukefan]

A little late to be posting this,, but I didnt become aware of it until a trip to McDonalds this week I didn't get the meal, but they do give everyone a Angel Reese Brown Bag and a Angel Reese Plastic cup

The Angel Reese Special​

BBQ Bacon Quarter Pounder®* with Cheese, World Famous Fries® (Medium), Hi-C® Orange Lavaburst® (Medium)
1230 Cal.1230 Cal.
Icon, meet icon in the Angel Reese Special for a limited time at McDonald’s.* Let’s break it down.

 

[Dillon77]

Yeah, plenty of blame to go around here. Being of good New England stock, I've never been a big believer in airing dirty laundry. There's an old Vermont joke the punchline of which is, "In Vermont we don't talk unless we can improve on the silence."

Rizzotti definitely expressed some thoughts publicly that would've been better left unsaid.

And, yes, Mabrey has every right to request a trade. But she and her agent shouldn't be surprised that a second trade request in six months wasn't granted. It's possible the Sun tried to move her and weren't able to, or likely that they weren't able to get for her anything near what they gave up to get her.

I agree: if those talks and business had taken place in a constructive manner, none of this would be in the headlines, which neither side should really want for various reasons.

Maybe now that each side has taken their shotgun blast, they can get down to more focused discussions for moving forward in a manner conducive and hopefully beneficial for both sides. You know, "the we" in team.