I don’t believe the Storm holds the same appeal with FAs as they once did, especially when it comes to players like Jackie Young. The likelihood of her coming to Seattle seems almost nonexistent at this point. These days, every franchise either has or is about to have practice facilities, and some teams offer larger financial markets, like New York, LA or Valkyries, while others, like the Lynx or Aces, offer a more immediate path to winning.
The most realistic path forward for Seattle imo is a rebuild, focusing on lottery picks and supplementing with a few solid free-agent signings. High-profile players like Jackie Young, who I also agree is the best guard in the league, has proven title-winning experience, is already part of a winning team that drafted her, are out of reach for now
I still believe the Storm will be able to attract free agents. While more and more teams are getting practice facilities, not all of them have them. Others, like Los Angeles, say they're building one, but it won't be available for a couple more years.
The Storm have a great practice/performance center, arena, and home crowd right now. It's also a franchise that has won multiple championships and have owners that are supportive instead of ones that may own an NBA team and prioritize the NBA team.
Regarding Jackie Young, it's mostly a pipe dream. There really isn't any reason why she would leave Las Vegas. With that said, we do see surprise changes happen. Nobody thought Brittney Griner was going to leave Phoenix. In a lot of ways, it didn't make sense that Kelsey Plum wanted to leave Vegas until we started hearing murmurs this past offseason that she wanted to leave.
I agree with you that the Storm should prioritize building through the draft. Until the CBA is agreed upon, we don't know what pick the Storm will have from LA, but we do know it's likely to be Top 3, and it could be #1 or #2 overall. Pairing that player, whether that's Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, Flau'jae Johnson (or someone else), with younger players like Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, and Ezi Magbegor should be the focus.
Thank you for your reply, I still hold on to my opinion that I don’t think Seattle is as attractive as we are thinking here. My reasons are:
- Teams I see as more attractive, like the Liberty, Lynx, Phoenix, Aces, Valkyries, and Fever, mostly alr have both practice facilities and bigger financial opportunities. They also have proven coaches with clear systems in Cheryl, Becky, Nakase, Steph White, and Nate, while the Storm are still searching for one who will likely be a 1st-time WNBA HC. Plus, when it comes to home crowds, I’d say the Valkyries and Liberty are the top two in the league (they regularly sell out, no matter the opponent)
- The Storm are entering a rebuild and won’t be real contenders for a few years until we have an elite MVP level big. That’s a drawback for the top FAs guards in their prime like Jackie Young, who if leaving, has to want to be the immediate centre piece or 1st option of another contending team. I can't rationale that she wants to be part of a few-years long project centred around younger stars like Dom Malonga.
I was looking back at that 2019 draft class and the predictions. No one had Jackie Young going first; most speculated Teira McCowan or Kristine Anigwe would go first. Young and Napheesa Collier werent even considered lottery potential! What a steal Young looks like now, and how smart were the Aces. A 6'0" combo guard with strength, speed, passing, and a beautiful shot after her work a few of seasons ago. I pick her every year for my fantasy team, not just because she's from my hometown of Southern Indiana, but because I think she is just getting better.
Hi Thomas, sorry for the delay on this. There was an article from The Athletic just a couple of days ago that mentioned the Storm are interested in or have already interviewed Sandy Brondello, Briann January, and Sandy’s assistant Sonia Raman.
Per the Liberty’s press release before this past season, they said this about Raman.
“Coach Sonia made waves as the Head Coach of the MIT women’s basketball team for 12 seasons, leading them to multiple NCAA tournament appearances and earning numerous accolades for her leadership and strategic prowess. She also served as the Assistant Coach of the Memphis Grizzlies for four seasons! Her sharp basketball IQ, relentless work ethic, and commitment to player development will be an incredible asset to our Championship team!”
I believe she is under consideration for the Liberty job too.
And the Storm came within 1 basket of eliminating the Aces in the first round.
I don’t believe the Storm holds the same appeal with FAs as they once did, especially when it comes to players like Jackie Young. The likelihood of her coming to Seattle seems almost nonexistent at this point. These days, every franchise either has or is about to have practice facilities, and some teams offer larger financial markets, like New York, LA or Valkyries, while others, like the Lynx or Aces, offer a more immediate path to winning.
The most realistic path forward for Seattle imo is a rebuild, focusing on lottery picks and supplementing with a few solid free-agent signings. High-profile players like Jackie Young, who I also agree is the best guard in the league, has proven title-winning experience, is already part of a winning team that drafted her, are out of reach for now
I still believe the Storm will be able to attract free agents. While more and more teams are getting practice facilities, not all of them have them. Others, like Los Angeles, say they're building one, but it won't be available for a couple more years.
The Storm have a great practice/performance center, arena, and home crowd right now. It's also a franchise that has won multiple championships and have owners that are supportive instead of ones that may own an NBA team and prioritize the NBA team.
Regarding Jackie Young, it's mostly a pipe dream. There really isn't any reason why she would leave Las Vegas. With that said, we do see surprise changes happen. Nobody thought Brittney Griner was going to leave Phoenix. In a lot of ways, it didn't make sense that Kelsey Plum wanted to leave Vegas until we started hearing murmurs this past offseason that she wanted to leave.
I agree with you that the Storm should prioritize building through the draft. Until the CBA is agreed upon, we don't know what pick the Storm will have from LA, but we do know it's likely to be Top 3, and it could be #1 or #2 overall. Pairing that player, whether that's Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, Flau'jae Johnson (or someone else), with younger players like Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, and Ezi Magbegor should be the focus.
Thank you for your reply, I still hold on to my opinion that I don’t think Seattle is as attractive as we are thinking here. My reasons are:
- Teams I see as more attractive, like the Liberty, Lynx, Phoenix, Aces, Valkyries, and Fever, mostly alr have both practice facilities and bigger financial opportunities. They also have proven coaches with clear systems in Cheryl, Becky, Nakase, Steph White, and Nate, while the Storm are still searching for one who will likely be a 1st-time WNBA HC. Plus, when it comes to home crowds, I’d say the Valkyries and Liberty are the top two in the league (they regularly sell out, no matter the opponent)
- The Storm are entering a rebuild and won’t be real contenders for a few years until we have an elite MVP level big. That’s a drawback for the top FAs guards in their prime like Jackie Young, who if leaving, has to want to be the immediate centre piece or 1st option of another contending team. I can't rationale that she wants to be part of a few-years long project centred around younger stars like Dom Malonga.
Completely agree. And with free agents, especially elite ones, the first question I always ask is: Why should/would _____ want to come here?
A’ja proved to everyone this post that she’s the MVP. Absolutely killed
I was looking back at that 2019 draft class and the predictions. No one had Jackie Young going first; most speculated Teira McCowan or Kristine Anigwe would go first. Young and Napheesa Collier werent even considered lottery potential! What a steal Young looks like now, and how smart were the Aces. A 6'0" combo guard with strength, speed, passing, and a beautiful shot after her work a few of seasons ago. I pick her every year for my fantasy team, not just because she's from my hometown of Southern Indiana, but because I think she is just getting better.
Thanks for another season of great coverage!
Have you heard anything you can share from the Storm’s search for a new coach?
Hi Thomas, sorry for the delay on this. There was an article from The Athletic just a couple of days ago that mentioned the Storm are interested in or have already interviewed Sandy Brondello, Briann January, and Sandy’s assistant Sonia Raman.
Per the Liberty’s press release before this past season, they said this about Raman.
“Coach Sonia made waves as the Head Coach of the MIT women’s basketball team for 12 seasons, leading them to multiple NCAA tournament appearances and earning numerous accolades for her leadership and strategic prowess. She also served as the Assistant Coach of the Memphis Grizzlies for four seasons! Her sharp basketball IQ, relentless work ethic, and commitment to player development will be an incredible asset to our Championship team!”
I believe she is under consideration for the Liberty job too.