Thanks for another thoughtful article, Jeff. Our coaching staff is very creative and very nimble, so I am excited to see what happens when Ezi and Jordy are back. Ezi's defense is elite (as you pointed out) and we hope that Ezi will round out her game with scoring more. We know she's capable.
One fun thing about our win yesterday is that we had lots of little lapses throughout the game and still maintained control. Our defense wasn't as consistent as it has been (we miss Jordy). We got a runaway win and we weren't playing at our peak standard. That's pretty darn cool.
I continue to refuse to think about our end-of-season draft situation. Our players want to win and our coaches are working hard to develop a team that will do whatever it takes to win.
We're young, so we will be inconsistent, but I'm just focusing on enjoying this season game by game.
It's a great mindset to have, and a big reason why I wrote this article. I still believe the Storm are best off adding another Top 5 pick to this core group. But from what I'm seeing. They might end up having enough talent already without adding another prized pick. This is also why I wrote and pleaded that the Storm enter a rebuild around Dom, Jordy, Ezi, and their 3rd overall pick (which became Awa Fam) around August of last year. The team has a worse record this year and still isn't likely to make the playoffs, and yet the losses don't bother me. Watching the growth is exciting, and when they win as they did against New York and Atlanta, it brings much hope to the future, knowing that the current players are only going to get better with more experience.
Yes, Dom, Jordy, Ezi, our 3rd overall pick, then unexpectedly, Flau'jae! We didn't see that coming, did we? Plus, Jade is having a wonderful season and Natisha is expanding her game every time out. How lucky we are.
I agree with so much of what you said Jeff. The overall sentiment that ive been getting is that this is a 2 year rebuild, but these last few games have shown that we can make the playoffs next year. I also agree that the storm may start winning too much and that could be detrimental in the long run in regards to their draft position, and while this team is closer than we thought, this team won't contend for a championship in its current iteration. So I think the goal should be develop first and foremost and then to experiment. Give flaujae and jordan minutes at the 1, play awa ezi and dom together, run the offense through awa or ezi, things like that. This will give us the best mix of a top 4 pick next year, and making our current players better and more versatile.
I like the idea of Flau’jae getting more point guard time even if just to help her work on dribbling, command of the offense, and continuing to develop her passing mentality. She’s already pretty well rounded if less efficient shooting, but crazy to think what she could be with a few years of experience.
These are some excellent points, Cole. I'd really like to see Flaújae running the whole show at times to see what else would be unlocked. We're barely scratching the surface of her potential. And I definitely want to see Awa, Dom, and Ezi playing together at the same time.
Thank you for finally hinting that perhaps, just maybe, the Seattle Storm do not need to add another Sue Bird in order to be a championship basketball team. They just scored 314 points in their last three games. And that was without Sue Bird. It was also without Ezi Magbegor. This team seems to have a lot cohesiveness now and the coaching staff probably isn’t getting enough credit for that. I think the Storm needs to keep doing what they’re doing and good things will follow.
The improved play has seemingly correlated with a tighter rotation, which leaves me wondering how Jordan and Ezi will be meaningfully reintegrated, if/when they return. A good problem to have is still a problem.
For sure. And part of that is giving more minutes to people who should be playing, and fewer minutes to everyone else. I merely was pointing to correlation, not causation.
I think Jade Melbourne is underrated. In the NY game she was phenomenal and the biggest key to our win. I was really hoping that she was going to be interviewed afterwards. I would have preferred Flaújae and Jade if it was only going to be 2 players interviewed because it would have been more spicy! I love Dom but she's been interviewed many times. Actually I've seen other teams make 3 players available for interviews after a game. Why can't we do that? I think that would be more interesting for the media, too, giving them more options for their questions. Is that just a team policy to only have 2? There's no doubt that Flaújae, Awa, and Dom have been on fire lately and sometimes T and Jade, too. We do have the makings of a great team with or w/o a top 3-5 pick in next year's WNBA Draft. And how much better will we be when Jordan and Ezi come back?
Good questions. The league mandates that each team bring at least two players to the post-game press conference. Teams are not required to provide more than two players and the head coach. Some teams might bring more than two, but the Storm's policy is to only bring two.
Media members are allowed to request an additional player or two for personal interviews. Those requests must be made before the end of the game. Most of the time media doesn't do this because we're trying to get our articles written and completed. Some have tight deadlines. Or someone like me who doesn't have a tight deadline, but writes additional articles beyond the game recap, which often keeps me awake until 2 AM or later.
I’ve been high on Jade since her first stint with us. Absent a strong lottery talent at point guard I feel like we can mitigate her lack of outside shooting with a good 3&D wing to round out the starting lineup. Especially with her defensive intensity, which can help alleviate pressure on Flau’jae and others so they can focus on the offensive end. Lots to be excited about!
The last one is their most recent starting lineup that has been very successful over the past 3 games (if it's not broken, don't fix it).
I could also see if they wanted to stagger Fam, Magbegor, and Malonga so that they could bring either Fam or Magbegor off the bench. I can't envision a scenario where a healthy Malonga isn't starting.
Agreed on all of the above. Really curious to see Fam at the 3. Obviously not a concern offensively with her shooting, but on defense I’ve been very excited about how effective she’s been on half court traps and switches. Decision making will come, but she already moves her feet well for her size.
All the more reason to experiment without fear of losing this year. Her being a viable 3 could unlock so much for us going forward from a versatility standpoint and would open up a lot of doors in the draft if we fall out of the top 3.
Really glad to see this viewpoint expanded on. I find the "Tank for Juju" narrative simplistic and tiresome. We've already got the major pieces to build around, and next year will be Dom's 3rd year out of 4 years of club control, unless she agrees to an extension.
When Jordan and Ezi come back online, we have some serious depth to work with. Sure, you draft the best player available, but no way do you tell this team "we're not trying to win games so we can draft someone better than you."
You don't just "add" a Watkins or Hidalgo or some unicorn Veteran Pure Point Guard, you displace what you already have, so what's the marginal difference between what you're already getting and what you could potentially get? And does that usage come out of Dom, Awa, and Flau'Jae's?
I do think there is leadership and camaraderie development in this young team. Im downright giddy we had 2 players with double digit rebounds!! Our shot choices are better (for the most part), we still have some rushed drives that come with a young team (your point 20/20/22/23 is crazy). Our bench will definitely get a boost with Ezi & Jordy’s return, but I definitely think depth is weak in our current iteration.
But arguably, depth is an issue with even the NYLs and ATLs as their resting on us stung them.
With the lengthening of the season, depth is going to be key and we have the capability to do that through FA and draft because of our cap space with this young squad…and I do think we can attract good FAs after seeing what we are doing.
It’s so much fun to watch this team get some wins after grinding through the start of the season. I hope they still give Awa plenty of time in the post to develop, but her shooting is ridiculous right now!
This comes with a Juju sized risk and future cap ramifications but I will continue to pitch trading the 27 1st or 28 1st for a young player as an “option”. If the team is on its way to winning their way to the bottom of the lottery, then maybe cash in now for maximum value and a higher floor for the next two years. Our pick should be worth a ton right now and it might not be next May.
Of course, that requires continuing to win with a tough schedule, but they just look so good!
A JuJu-sized risk is a funny term! I know someone, either here or on social media, suggested that the Storm trade their first-round pick for Leila Lacan. I just don't think Seattle can risk making that trade. The Storm also don't have any second-round picks for the next two years. They lost their 2027 to LA in the Lexie Brown trade and their 2028 to GSV for the Flau'jae Johnson trade (100% worth it). I don't want to see them try to rush this process. Even if the Storm aren't in the running for a Top 3 pick, if they end up somewhere in the 4-7 range, they could still land a Mikaylah Williams or MiLaysia Fulwiley. And I'm not positive trading some Lacan would even be worth risking one of those players.
Plus, just staying the course gives Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne more opportunities to continue to develop their point guard/playmaking skills.
I try to avoid the hypothetical trade talk, but the Lacan idea was mine, still out here trying to manifest it. There are some interesting connections between Feeney in the FO coming over from Conn, Dom and Lacan playing together for France (I’ve seen a Lacan-Dom assist and I want more!), the Sun already making a trade for a ‘28 1st and have a clear let’s get Juju and/or Strong to Houston agenda, plus there’s been some other national writer trade speculation around the Mystics and Lacan.
However I really just want to think through what could happen “if we are already good” and “if we already have our superstars”. Less what I think they should do, and more what options could we see happen.
I understood your point as; don’t worry about tanking, we don’t HAVE to have anyone specific and we don’t HAVE to get another superstar point guard. I think you’re right.
Which leaves us at: what could the Storm do if they think the pick value is trending down and they don’t absolutely need Juju.
A. Keep it and pick, assuming no surprise Juju staying in college, other injuries, etc there should be a very good player available even if picking 6-7. Plus there’s a decent chance we still lose plenty of games.
B. If another team values the pick higher than the Storm because they need a shot at a superstar, the Storm could trade it now for a good young player that’s already more proven.
I’ll stop bringing this up though, appreciate your thoughts on it.
You know, I’m beginning to think Awa Fam doesn’t need time in the post. With her ability to shoot the three, I think her talent would be wasted inside. She really is a “positionless” player if there even was one.
I get what you’re saying and I definitely don’t want them to limit her to playing inside with her shooting ability, but a player who’s just a three point shooter isn’t exactly positionless.
It might not be as efficient to play inside but it definitely changes who can guard her if she’s effective both inside and outside.
I was curious how the tank for Juju/whoever people were feeling lately. There are always other options available to a smart and savvy GM than losing until you get the top pick, especially if you already have the bones of a great team. Some of those you mentioned didn’t draft their championship point guards.
For example, a GM could trade the 16th overall pick and a future 2nd-round pick for Flau'jae Johnson.
While in some ways, I've been in the "Tank for JuJu" camp. It was always a long shot because of how bad the Connecticut Sun have been for two years, and other teams like the Chicago Sky, who have foolishly traded the rights away to the Washington Mystics. With that said, the past 3 WNBA Drafts have been filled with talent, especially in the Top 5-7 range. Even if the Storm don't end up with the #1 overall pick or even Top 3, there is still a great opportunity to add another very talented piece to this young core.
Thanks for another thoughtful article, Jeff. Our coaching staff is very creative and very nimble, so I am excited to see what happens when Ezi and Jordy are back. Ezi's defense is elite (as you pointed out) and we hope that Ezi will round out her game with scoring more. We know she's capable.
One fun thing about our win yesterday is that we had lots of little lapses throughout the game and still maintained control. Our defense wasn't as consistent as it has been (we miss Jordy). We got a runaway win and we weren't playing at our peak standard. That's pretty darn cool.
I continue to refuse to think about our end-of-season draft situation. Our players want to win and our coaches are working hard to develop a team that will do whatever it takes to win.
We're young, so we will be inconsistent, but I'm just focusing on enjoying this season game by game.
It's a great mindset to have, and a big reason why I wrote this article. I still believe the Storm are best off adding another Top 5 pick to this core group. But from what I'm seeing. They might end up having enough talent already without adding another prized pick. This is also why I wrote and pleaded that the Storm enter a rebuild around Dom, Jordy, Ezi, and their 3rd overall pick (which became Awa Fam) around August of last year. The team has a worse record this year and still isn't likely to make the playoffs, and yet the losses don't bother me. Watching the growth is exciting, and when they win as they did against New York and Atlanta, it brings much hope to the future, knowing that the current players are only going to get better with more experience.
Yes, Dom, Jordy, Ezi, our 3rd overall pick, then unexpectedly, Flau'jae! We didn't see that coming, did we? Plus, Jade is having a wonderful season and Natisha is expanding her game every time out. How lucky we are.
I agree with so much of what you said Jeff. The overall sentiment that ive been getting is that this is a 2 year rebuild, but these last few games have shown that we can make the playoffs next year. I also agree that the storm may start winning too much and that could be detrimental in the long run in regards to their draft position, and while this team is closer than we thought, this team won't contend for a championship in its current iteration. So I think the goal should be develop first and foremost and then to experiment. Give flaujae and jordan minutes at the 1, play awa ezi and dom together, run the offense through awa or ezi, things like that. This will give us the best mix of a top 4 pick next year, and making our current players better and more versatile.
I like the idea of Flau’jae getting more point guard time even if just to help her work on dribbling, command of the offense, and continuing to develop her passing mentality. She’s already pretty well rounded if less efficient shooting, but crazy to think what she could be with a few years of experience.
These are some excellent points, Cole. I'd really like to see Flaújae running the whole show at times to see what else would be unlocked. We're barely scratching the surface of her potential. And I definitely want to see Awa, Dom, and Ezi playing together at the same time.
Thank you for finally hinting that perhaps, just maybe, the Seattle Storm do not need to add another Sue Bird in order to be a championship basketball team. They just scored 314 points in their last three games. And that was without Sue Bird. It was also without Ezi Magbegor. This team seems to have a lot cohesiveness now and the coaching staff probably isn’t getting enough credit for that. I think the Storm needs to keep doing what they’re doing and good things will follow.
And the 314 was against three really good teams, no less!
The improved play has seemingly correlated with a tighter rotation, which leaves me wondering how Jordan and Ezi will be meaningfully reintegrated, if/when they return. A good problem to have is still a problem.
I correlate the improved play in the last three games to vastly improved rebounding.
For sure. And part of that is giving more minutes to people who should be playing, and fewer minutes to everyone else. I merely was pointing to correlation, not causation.
I think Jade Melbourne is underrated. In the NY game she was phenomenal and the biggest key to our win. I was really hoping that she was going to be interviewed afterwards. I would have preferred Flaújae and Jade if it was only going to be 2 players interviewed because it would have been more spicy! I love Dom but she's been interviewed many times. Actually I've seen other teams make 3 players available for interviews after a game. Why can't we do that? I think that would be more interesting for the media, too, giving them more options for their questions. Is that just a team policy to only have 2? There's no doubt that Flaújae, Awa, and Dom have been on fire lately and sometimes T and Jade, too. We do have the makings of a great team with or w/o a top 3-5 pick in next year's WNBA Draft. And how much better will we be when Jordan and Ezi come back?
Good questions. The league mandates that each team bring at least two players to the post-game press conference. Teams are not required to provide more than two players and the head coach. Some teams might bring more than two, but the Storm's policy is to only bring two.
Media members are allowed to request an additional player or two for personal interviews. Those requests must be made before the end of the game. Most of the time media doesn't do this because we're trying to get our articles written and completed. Some have tight deadlines. Or someone like me who doesn't have a tight deadline, but writes additional articles beyond the game recap, which often keeps me awake until 2 AM or later.
The more she starts to play “under control,” the brighter her future will become. And if she ever develops her outside shot - watch out!
I’ve been high on Jade since her first stint with us. Absent a strong lottery talent at point guard I feel like we can mitigate her lack of outside shooting with a good 3&D wing to round out the starting lineup. Especially with her defensive intensity, which can help alleviate pressure on Flau’jae and others so they can focus on the offensive end. Lots to be excited about!
I'll be very curious to see what the starting lineup looks like once everyone is healthy. My guess is they could go:
Lineup 1: Hiedeman, Johnson, Fam, Magbegor, Malonga
Lineup 2: Hiedeman, Johnson, Horston, Fam, Malonga
Lineup 3: Hiedeman, Melbourne, Johnson, Fam, Malonga
The last one is their most recent starting lineup that has been very successful over the past 3 games (if it's not broken, don't fix it).
I could also see if they wanted to stagger Fam, Magbegor, and Malonga so that they could bring either Fam or Magbegor off the bench. I can't envision a scenario where a healthy Malonga isn't starting.
Agreed on all of the above. Really curious to see Fam at the 3. Obviously not a concern offensively with her shooting, but on defense I’ve been very excited about how effective she’s been on half court traps and switches. Decision making will come, but she already moves her feet well for her size.
All the more reason to experiment without fear of losing this year. Her being a viable 3 could unlock so much for us going forward from a versatility standpoint and would open up a lot of doors in the draft if we fall out of the top 3.
Really glad to see this viewpoint expanded on. I find the "Tank for Juju" narrative simplistic and tiresome. We've already got the major pieces to build around, and next year will be Dom's 3rd year out of 4 years of club control, unless she agrees to an extension.
When Jordan and Ezi come back online, we have some serious depth to work with. Sure, you draft the best player available, but no way do you tell this team "we're not trying to win games so we can draft someone better than you."
You don't just "add" a Watkins or Hidalgo or some unicorn Veteran Pure Point Guard, you displace what you already have, so what's the marginal difference between what you're already getting and what you could potentially get? And does that usage come out of Dom, Awa, and Flau'Jae's?
I do think there is leadership and camaraderie development in this young team. Im downright giddy we had 2 players with double digit rebounds!! Our shot choices are better (for the most part), we still have some rushed drives that come with a young team (your point 20/20/22/23 is crazy). Our bench will definitely get a boost with Ezi & Jordy’s return, but I definitely think depth is weak in our current iteration.
But arguably, depth is an issue with even the NYLs and ATLs as their resting on us stung them.
With the lengthening of the season, depth is going to be key and we have the capability to do that through FA and draft because of our cap space with this young squad…and I do think we can attract good FAs after seeing what we are doing.
It’s so much fun to watch this team get some wins after grinding through the start of the season. I hope they still give Awa plenty of time in the post to develop, but her shooting is ridiculous right now!
This comes with a Juju sized risk and future cap ramifications but I will continue to pitch trading the 27 1st or 28 1st for a young player as an “option”. If the team is on its way to winning their way to the bottom of the lottery, then maybe cash in now for maximum value and a higher floor for the next two years. Our pick should be worth a ton right now and it might not be next May.
Of course, that requires continuing to win with a tough schedule, but they just look so good!
A JuJu-sized risk is a funny term! I know someone, either here or on social media, suggested that the Storm trade their first-round pick for Leila Lacan. I just don't think Seattle can risk making that trade. The Storm also don't have any second-round picks for the next two years. They lost their 2027 to LA in the Lexie Brown trade and their 2028 to GSV for the Flau'jae Johnson trade (100% worth it). I don't want to see them try to rush this process. Even if the Storm aren't in the running for a Top 3 pick, if they end up somewhere in the 4-7 range, they could still land a Mikaylah Williams or MiLaysia Fulwiley. And I'm not positive trading some Lacan would even be worth risking one of those players.
Plus, just staying the course gives Natisha Hiedeman and Jade Melbourne more opportunities to continue to develop their point guard/playmaking skills.
I try to avoid the hypothetical trade talk, but the Lacan idea was mine, still out here trying to manifest it. There are some interesting connections between Feeney in the FO coming over from Conn, Dom and Lacan playing together for France (I’ve seen a Lacan-Dom assist and I want more!), the Sun already making a trade for a ‘28 1st and have a clear let’s get Juju and/or Strong to Houston agenda, plus there’s been some other national writer trade speculation around the Mystics and Lacan.
However I really just want to think through what could happen “if we are already good” and “if we already have our superstars”. Less what I think they should do, and more what options could we see happen.
I understood your point as; don’t worry about tanking, we don’t HAVE to have anyone specific and we don’t HAVE to get another superstar point guard. I think you’re right.
Which leaves us at: what could the Storm do if they think the pick value is trending down and they don’t absolutely need Juju.
A. Keep it and pick, assuming no surprise Juju staying in college, other injuries, etc there should be a very good player available even if picking 6-7. Plus there’s a decent chance we still lose plenty of games.
B. If another team values the pick higher than the Storm because they need a shot at a superstar, the Storm could trade it now for a good young player that’s already more proven.
I’ll stop bringing this up though, appreciate your thoughts on it.
You know, I’m beginning to think Awa Fam doesn’t need time in the post. With her ability to shoot the three, I think her talent would be wasted inside. She really is a “positionless” player if there even was one.
I get what you’re saying and I definitely don’t want them to limit her to playing inside with her shooting ability, but a player who’s just a three point shooter isn’t exactly positionless.
It might not be as efficient to play inside but it definitely changes who can guard her if she’s effective both inside and outside.
I was curious how the tank for Juju/whoever people were feeling lately. There are always other options available to a smart and savvy GM than losing until you get the top pick, especially if you already have the bones of a great team. Some of those you mentioned didn’t draft their championship point guards.
For example, a GM could trade the 16th overall pick and a future 2nd-round pick for Flau'jae Johnson.
While in some ways, I've been in the "Tank for JuJu" camp. It was always a long shot because of how bad the Connecticut Sun have been for two years, and other teams like the Chicago Sky, who have foolishly traded the rights away to the Washington Mystics. With that said, the past 3 WNBA Drafts have been filled with talent, especially in the Top 5-7 range. Even if the Storm don't end up with the #1 overall pick or even Top 3, there is still a great opportunity to add another very talented piece to this young core.