Can we all officially be upset now with last year's trade for Sykes? I don't know enough about college players to say what that pick would have been worth. But I'm guessing it's more than the nothing the Storm have to show for it. Didn't seem to make sense then, and really doesn't now.
I wasn't a big fan of the move when it happened, and even less now. Since the team appears to be entering a full rebuild, they really could have used that 9th overall pick.
I try to remember that you have to judge the process and not the results. The results were terrible, but if Sykes did just enough to get Seattle to the playoffs and keep Los Angeles out, then we have to factor that in too. Losing the Top 3 pick would have been way worse than having say Picks 8, 9, and 14.
And while I don't think I would advise this with the fact that the team is going into a full rebuild (it seems), but it is possible they could try to trade picks #14 and 16 to move up to say spot 10 or 11.
Great point, Jeff, about keeping LAS out of the playoffs and keeping the #3 pick, and also not trying to bundle picks to move up a couple slots. I think after the top 3-4 picks, it seems to me (at least among college players), they feel pretty interchangeable. Everyone has stuff they do well, and also notable limitations. I don’t know how much the slot will matter, at that point in the draft, as you’re likely picking for the developmental squad.
Question: Since it looks like we’re blowing it up, where might internal leadership come from? Will it matter? Seems like a bumpy road is ahead of us. We’ll be too young to count on the young players for it; it’s hard to bring in veterans to provide it, unless they have a lot of gravity; the returners here don’t seem to have that in their makeup.
Are there other vets on your wishlist? It feels like quality players are going fast! Players I’m keeping an eye on that haven’t been signed yet and could add veteran stability; Tina Charles, Syd Colson, and certainly hoping we sign Katie Lou at this point.
I would be shocked if JL returns. I like Jordin offensively but not defensively. I have come to appreciate Smith except her constant whining drives me nuts but I thought that about Skylar before she joined the Storm. I’m in on anyone that makes them better and plays hard the entire game.
Interesting, I've always had the opposite opinion of Jordin Canada. Someone could probably provide a better defensive stat, but she's typically among the league leaders in steals. She was a defensive force in 2019 when she was the starter. What I always had trouble with was her wild, and often unsuccessful, drives to the hoop. I think she ends up on the floor on more lay-in attempts than anyone else I can think of.
I've been a big Jordin fan since watching her and Kelsey Plum go at it. I agree with Corey that her defense is top notch, and I will never forget her 12 assist 0 turnover game from 2019 when she was our starting point guard. I'm not sure I agree about her offense -- Jordin is routinely a double digit scoring threat despite her size. Would be a dream to have her here again.
Smith is someone I’ve been hoping for a while. She is so aggressive on the boards and has been killing us fairly consistently since Chicago. But NYL are sniffing her up. MINN will miss her if they lose her.
I’m not so sure about Sabally. The INJs and rumors around her make me hesitant.
The trade wasn't good. But it did give Jade Melbourne a better opportunity than she had in Seattle, since they would have cut her in favor of Nika Mühl. They probably would have lost Jade in the GSV expansion draft if they had kept her. I am happy to see them re-sign Jade. She is still only 23 years old and, at a minimum, has proven she is a WNBA player, even if only a Reserve. This season, she should have an opportunity to grow her game.
Probably, but I don't know how they're affording all of these players, with also re-signing Stewie, Sabrina, Jonquel, Betnijah, etc. I thought Gabby Williams was more likely to return to the Storm than Skylar and Nneka, but apparently, she is also leaving. It sure seems like the Storm are entering full rebuild mode.
I'm really upset and rather heartbroken about Gabby leaving. I'm not happy about losing any of them. I thought Nneka and Skylar would re-sign, too. I really wasn't sure about Brittany Sykes. I'm excited to see Dom's development and Jordan's and hopefully Ezi stays and we draft Olivia Miles and get another key player in the Draft and Mackenzie Holmes should really help our frontcourt a lot more.
I’m with you on the Gabby heartbreak. Why didn’t Coach retain her leadership and veteran experience? She loved Seattle and should’ve been kept here. I’m not seeing any real leaders. And more than a few meh players lingering on the roster. Not seeing playoffs for this team, not yet anyway. Too harsh?
Can we all officially be upset now with last year's trade for Sykes? I don't know enough about college players to say what that pick would have been worth. But I'm guessing it's more than the nothing the Storm have to show for it. Didn't seem to make sense then, and really doesn't now.
I wasn't a big fan of the move when it happened, and even less now. Since the team appears to be entering a full rebuild, they really could have used that 9th overall pick.
I try to remember that you have to judge the process and not the results. The results were terrible, but if Sykes did just enough to get Seattle to the playoffs and keep Los Angeles out, then we have to factor that in too. Losing the Top 3 pick would have been way worse than having say Picks 8, 9, and 14.
And while I don't think I would advise this with the fact that the team is going into a full rebuild (it seems), but it is possible they could try to trade picks #14 and 16 to move up to say spot 10 or 11.
Great point, Jeff, about keeping LAS out of the playoffs and keeping the #3 pick, and also not trying to bundle picks to move up a couple slots. I think after the top 3-4 picks, it seems to me (at least among college players), they feel pretty interchangeable. Everyone has stuff they do well, and also notable limitations. I don’t know how much the slot will matter, at that point in the draft, as you’re likely picking for the developmental squad.
Question: Since it looks like we’re blowing it up, where might internal leadership come from? Will it matter? Seems like a bumpy road is ahead of us. We’ll be too young to count on the young players for it; it’s hard to bring in veterans to provide it, unless they have a lot of gravity; the returners here don’t seem to have that in their makeup.
Stefanie Dolson should certainly help as a veteran leader.
Are there other vets on your wishlist? It feels like quality players are going fast! Players I’m keeping an eye on that haven’t been signed yet and could add veteran stability; Tina Charles, Syd Colson, and certainly hoping we sign Katie Lou at this point.
Yes it was a deeply unwise gamble to prop up a failing core. That pick could have gone a long way help the rebuild succeed
I would be shocked if JL returns. I like Jordin offensively but not defensively. I have come to appreciate Smith except her constant whining drives me nuts but I thought that about Skylar before she joined the Storm. I’m in on anyone that makes them better and plays hard the entire game.
Interesting, I've always had the opposite opinion of Jordin Canada. Someone could probably provide a better defensive stat, but she's typically among the league leaders in steals. She was a defensive force in 2019 when she was the starter. What I always had trouble with was her wild, and often unsuccessful, drives to the hoop. I think she ends up on the floor on more lay-in attempts than anyone else I can think of.
I've been a big Jordin fan since watching her and Kelsey Plum go at it. I agree with Corey that her defense is top notch, and I will never forget her 12 assist 0 turnover game from 2019 when she was our starting point guard. I'm not sure I agree about her offense -- Jordin is routinely a double digit scoring threat despite her size. Would be a dream to have her here again.
I would be thrilled to get Jordin Canada back.
This would be silly, They don't need any of them, get Olivia Miles or Kiki Rice and build with them and Dom!
Miles or fudd
Or Rice. My best guess is that it ends up being either Miles or Fudd if one of those two is still available. But I won't rule out Kiki Rice.
Smith is someone I’ve been hoping for a while. She is so aggressive on the boards and has been killing us fairly consistently since Chicago. But NYL are sniffing her up. MINN will miss her if they lose her.
I’m not so sure about Sabally. The INJs and rumors around her make me hesitant.
Also, I hope the mocks showing us get Miles & McMahon are true 🤞🙏
Oooo Cotie was my favorite college player to watch over the past two seasons. Love hearing that rumor.
And that the one showing Miles to DAL is wrong 😱
Jeff: Thanks for facilitating this Seattle Storm support group. It’ll be much needed this year.
I'm here for you all!
Melbourne to Seattle. I am sure Jeff still hates the trade that sent Melbourne away, but it is very good the player chose to return.
The free agency period, right before the draft in a lot of fun.
The trade wasn't good. But it did give Jade Melbourne a better opportunity than she had in Seattle, since they would have cut her in favor of Nika Mühl. They probably would have lost Jade in the GSV expansion draft if they had kept her. I am happy to see them re-sign Jade. She is still only 23 years old and, at a minimum, has proven she is a WNBA player, even if only a Reserve. This season, she should have an opportunity to grow her game.
Dolson to Seattle
6’5. Thinking Seattle won’t be taking a big at #3. Will it be Miles or Rice or Fudd?
Update: Wheeler to LA. Burton to Golden State. Sabally to NY.
Update: Jordin Canada staying in Atlanta.
Jackie stays in LVA
Broke my heart!
Well, now the word is Gabby’s out of Seattle. I’ve been hoping for some news out of Seattle and this ain’t it. Oof.
She’s playing rn with Stewie and the word is Marine is staying in NYL, I could see them snagging her. Ugh
Probably, but I don't know how they're affording all of these players, with also re-signing Stewie, Sabrina, Jonquel, Betnijah, etc. I thought Gabby Williams was more likely to return to the Storm than Skylar and Nneka, but apparently, she is also leaving. It sure seems like the Storm are entering full rebuild mode.
I’d give a 👍🏼 to all but two of these.
NYL: The Los Angeles Dodgers of the WNBA.
Seattle Storm: Becoming the Pittsburgh Pirates of the WNBA.
No way do I want to watch Mamba Mentality chucking up shots like it's 2023. That wouldn't help anything moving forward.
Amen. Please no Arike or JL. We need consistency from a 3 pt shooter.
I am hoping we take a shot at Marine in regards to 3pt shooter
💖
I'm really upset and rather heartbroken about Gabby leaving. I'm not happy about losing any of them. I thought Nneka and Skylar would re-sign, too. I really wasn't sure about Brittany Sykes. I'm excited to see Dom's development and Jordan's and hopefully Ezi stays and we draft Olivia Miles and get another key player in the Draft and Mackenzie Holmes should really help our frontcourt a lot more.
I’m with you on the Gabby heartbreak. Why didn’t Coach retain her leadership and veteran experience? She loved Seattle and should’ve been kept here. I’m not seeing any real leaders. And more than a few meh players lingering on the roster. Not seeing playoffs for this team, not yet anyway. Too harsh?
Is it official that this is happening?