I realize I’m one of those Storm fans who is so attached to Miles that I might be missing the big picture of what is great about Awa or Kiki. Most previews I’ve read predict Cheryl and the Lynx will take Olivia, so working on practicing non-attachment to that outcome, but really would be cool to have a player who seems like will be Sue Bird and Chelsea Gray level paired with Dom moving forward.
I've had my eye on Olivia Miles for 3 years, so I will be very excited to see if the Storm draft her. All players in this range have some great things about them, but there are still some flaws or question marks. I would be pretty surprised to see Miles go #1. If Dallas doesn't take a big, then I would be shocked if they don't take Azzi Fudd. Minnesota lost Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard. I think there is probably a pretty strong chance that they take Awa Fam or Lauren Betts. That would leave Olivia Miles for Seattle. If the Lynx take Miles, then it'll be interesting to see if the Storm go Rice, Fam, Betts, or Flau'jae.
All things considered, it's hard to imagine a better draft for the Storm. They arguably landed the #1 prospect (Fam) and potentially the #5 or 6 prospect (Flau'jae). To get Golden State to agree to that trade without giving up a future first round pick was incredibly impressive to me.
I don't get it either. If the Storm had given up a future first-round pick, it would make more sense from Golden State's perspective. But to give up a potential Top 5 talent for a 2nd round pick this year and a 2nd round pick in 2028, doesn't seem like very good value for the Valkyries. When asked about the trade, the Valkyries' GM was pretty defensive and said she didn't want to talk about it.
I would take Kiki Rice unless they believe Fam's talent is so far above Rice that they have to take Awa. I would also explore possible trade options, but I don't think I'd drop any further than 5 or 6, and the only scenario that really makes sense to me would be the Mystics since they also have multiple first-round picks. Swapping say 3 and 14 for 4 and 11 as an example. But in the above scenario, the Mystics may have little incentive to do that because if they need a big, they could just draft whoever is left between Awa Fam and Lauren Betts without making a trade. I would also be a little concerned because I feel the Mystics could take Kiki Rice. So if you really like Rice and want a point guard, just take her.
I realize I’m one of those Storm fans who is so attached to Miles that I might be missing the big picture of what is great about Awa or Kiki. Most previews I’ve read predict Cheryl and the Lynx will take Olivia, so working on practicing non-attachment to that outcome, but really would be cool to have a player who seems like will be Sue Bird and Chelsea Gray level paired with Dom moving forward.
I've had my eye on Olivia Miles for 3 years, so I will be very excited to see if the Storm draft her. All players in this range have some great things about them, but there are still some flaws or question marks. I would be pretty surprised to see Miles go #1. If Dallas doesn't take a big, then I would be shocked if they don't take Azzi Fudd. Minnesota lost Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard. I think there is probably a pretty strong chance that they take Awa Fam or Lauren Betts. That would leave Olivia Miles for Seattle. If the Lynx take Miles, then it'll be interesting to see if the Storm go Rice, Fam, Betts, or Flau'jae.
I have also heard that Cheryl Reeve was pretty frequently at class games, so that could mean betts to minnesota
Who would have thought we'd be sitting here after the draft with Awa Fam AND Flau'jae Johnson?
All things considered, it's hard to imagine a better draft for the Storm. They arguably landed the #1 prospect (Fam) and potentially the #5 or 6 prospect (Flau'jae). To get Golden State to agree to that trade without giving up a future first round pick was incredibly impressive to me.
Agreed and that was the most shocking moment I’ve seen in recent W drafts!!
Insightful piece. I agree with the Fudd analysis. Interested to see where she lands and just how good she could be as a top pick
Great writeup Jeff. I have a feeling about Kiki also. 🤔 I think Miles goes before Seattle picks and Kiki may be our #3 pick.
Why does Golden State make that trade? I don't get it.
I don't get it either. If the Storm had given up a future first-round pick, it would make more sense from Golden State's perspective. But to give up a potential Top 5 talent for a 2nd round pick this year and a 2nd round pick in 2028, doesn't seem like very good value for the Valkyries. When asked about the trade, the Valkyries' GM was pretty defensive and said she didn't want to talk about it.
Jeff, if azzi and olivia go 1 and 2, what do you think the storm do, with the new ezi contract?
I would take Kiki Rice unless they believe Fam's talent is so far above Rice that they have to take Awa. I would also explore possible trade options, but I don't think I'd drop any further than 5 or 6, and the only scenario that really makes sense to me would be the Mystics since they also have multiple first-round picks. Swapping say 3 and 14 for 4 and 11 as an example. But in the above scenario, the Mystics may have little incentive to do that because if they need a big, they could just draft whoever is left between Awa Fam and Lauren Betts without making a trade. I would also be a little concerned because I feel the Mystics could take Kiki Rice. So if you really like Rice and want a point guard, just take her.
WNBA is sad. https://torrancestephensphd.substack.com/p/i-didnt-even-know-there-was-a-wnba