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Where will Skylar Diggins-Smith land? A question for every WNBA team heading into the 2024 season – The Athletic
WNBA
With the Las Vegas Aces reclaiming the WNBA title last week, another incredible season has come to an end. The future of the league has never been brighter. This season was filled with record-breaking team and individual performances, a tight three-player race for MVP, the first back-to-back champion since 2002 and unprecedented growth in viewership.
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Now that the offseason is underway, it’s never too early to start asking questions.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Aces already have five core players locked up for next season: Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Alysha Clark. Candace Parker may be an unrestricted free agent, but after sitting out half of the season and undergoing surgery to repair a fractured foot, she could very well return for another year. The rest is up in the air. Riquna Williams is also a free agent, but she has been barred from participating with the Aces, even after domestic violence charges were dropped. Las Vegas most likely will move on from her. There’s salary cap room to re-sign post players, like Parker and Kiah Stokes, or bring in other free agents. Vegas also will look to round out the bench, possibly keeping Sydney Colson and Cayla George to maintain chemistry. It’s hard not to look at the Aces and think a three-peat is possible.
The Moment. 🏆🏆 Las Vegas Aces are your Back to Back WNBA Champions @LVAces 🥹🙏💍💍
from IG : @WNBA 📸 pic.twitter.com/XqLWx7Y2t8
— Las Vegas Aces News (@LVAcesNews) October 21, 2023
Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones are unrestricted free agents, but I expect both to stay with the Liberty. Stewart said before the finals that she is happy in New York, and the Liberty already have confirmed she will be cored. Jones, who can’t be cored because she already has been twice in her career, thrived under Sandy Brondello once she was able to settle in and find her groove. It would be a surprise if she doesn’t re-sign. Still, with Courtney Vandersloot, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney and Kayla Thorton all under contract, some smart negotiating will be needed to keep the core together under the cap.
GO DEEPER
Will New York Liberty be even better positioned to chase a WNBA championship next season?
New York needs time to build chemistry and establish more connection. The Liberty were formed piecemeal through trades and free-agent signings, and they took a while to come together. Leadership, grit and accountability seemed like the major qualities missing in the finals, and those come with experience playing as a unit and growing through devastating losses. There’s no doubt New York will have plenty of motivation for next season. But the Liberty also know each other better on and off the court, and that can make all the difference.
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The Sun have been so close to winning a championship the past few years. For players like Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, it has to be frustrating. But Connecticut still finished third in the standings, despite losing Brionna Jones to a season-ending injury. The Sun had to revamp their entire system by running offense largely through Thomas and mixing it up on defense. It worked. Thomas excelled at playing point, center and forward, enjoying the best season of her career. She’s under contract through next season. Bonner is an unrestricted free agent, but she said this season was the most fun she’s had playing basketball. I expect her to re-sign and stay for another run alongside Thomas, who’s also her fiance.
Jones is a question mark. As an unrestricted free agent, she could end up signing elsewhere. She could also be cored. If she stays, how healthy will she be at the start of the season? The Sun also found a way to make small ball work effectively, and Stephanie White might want to stay with that game plan going forward. Regardless, free agent signings will be paramount to putting players around Thomas and Bonner, and upgrading the bench. As good as Thomas and Bonner played last season, they can’t do it alone, especially against teams with multiple stars like New York and Las Vegas. The Sun might want to make a run at Skylar Diggins-Smith.
Lol
5 teams is a lot! You think it’s 5 teams I fit on? https://t.co/e5mV81ftv2
— Skylar Diggins-Smith (@SkyDigg4) October 21, 2023
Wings coach Latricia Trammell found the right combination of players to pair with Arike Ogunbowale, and with a defensive focus, the Wings had a successful season. Now they can build on it. Satou Sabally had a breakout season, earning well-deserved MIP honors. As a restricted free agent, Dallas isn’t about to let her get away. Teaira McCowan, Ogunbowale and Natasha Howard are under contract. Diamond DeShields is an unrestricted free agent. Though she didn’t play this season because of a knee injury, the Wings could consider re-signing her. But given her injury history, they might want to look elsewhere for another athletic guard, especially with Lou Sénéchal on the roster. Lack of depth because of those injuries made it difficult for Trammell to manage, and the Wings brought in numerous players on hardship contracts throughout the season. Still, the talent and chemistry is there. Stephanie Soares, last year’s No. 4 draft pick, will be in the mix. Dallas needs to firm up its backcourt, make some heady roster decisions during training camp, and get healthy.
GO DEEPER
The Dallas Wings have been languishing for years. Then they hired Latricia Trammell
Despite going 2-8 in August, the Dream made progress this season and earned a playoff bid for the first time since 2018. They took some steps forward, including Cheyenne Parker’s improved play and creating a dynamic backcourt by trading for Allisha Gray to work alongside Rhyne Howard. But losing to Dallas 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs exposed some of Atlanta’s biggest needs, the first being experience. Atlanta is still growing, and with a handful of young and talented players, there will be a learning curve. The Dream didn’t make any big-time free agency moves, but adding a top-tier vet or two, particularly in the frontcourt, would benefit them. If they aren’t going to lean into Aari McDonald as the starting point guard, picking up a free agent or re-signing Danielle Robinson would be a smart move. Atlanta is missing one or two key players who can offer on-court leadership, experience and scoring ability to take some of the offensive pressure off Howard and Gray.
The Lynx were one of the best stories of the season, turning around an 0-6 start to finish sixth in the standings and make the playoffs. Napheesa Collier had an MVP-caliber season. Kayla McBride was a consistent scorer, and rookies Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhasz shined. There’s a lot of good here. But although Lindsay Allen stepped up and filled the point guard role serviceably, Minnesota hasn’t had much consistency at the position. Cheryl Reeve is big on having a floor general, someone who can be an on-court coach and a true facilitator and scorer. The Lynx haven’t had consistency at point since Lindsay Whalen retired in 2018. There could be additional moves to make in the frontcourt. But with Allen as an unrestricted free agent and Aerial Powers already stating plans to play elsewhere, Reeve could make a big swing in free agency to improve the backcourt. Again, Diggins-Smith is a great option. Jordin Canada and Natasha Cloud are free agents as well. Getting that solid point guard could make all the difference.
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Injuries hampered the Mystics title hopes all season. Even when Elena Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins returned to the court, they were still without Shakira Austin for the playoffs. Too much roster inconsistency got in the way. So, what now? Washington already extended Atkins. But does it make sense for Washington to re-sign Delle Donne and Cloud? Delle Donne has struggled to stay healthy the past few seasons, and her absence restricts the Mystics on both ends. Moving on from Delle Donne would allow them to make Austin and Atkins the focal points, while adding the No. 6 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Brittney Sykes proved to be an excellent free-agent signing, and Washington could use the extra salary cap money to bring in another frontcourt veteran. Tianna Hawkins would be worth re-signing as well. As for Cloud, she could be ready for a new start and could attract a bigger contract elsewhere. The Mystics are at a crossroads. But it’s hard to imagine them without Delle Donne or Cloud.
We all know Weatherspoon has the coaching experience and is a legendary WNBA player. She’s also an incredible motivator and leader. Though she hasn’t been a head coach in the pros before, she’s been a valued assistant and a proven college head coach. Despite losing James Wade midway through the season and the loss of multiple All-Stars on the roster, Chicago still made the playoffs. The roster as a whole isn’t exceptional, but it’s not in a bad spot, either. With Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey and Elizabeth Williams, there’s something to work with. As an unrestricted free agent, Alaina Smith showcased her improvement and should be a priority. Courtney Williams was also a smart pick-up and should be kept on the roster. Wade’s previous offseason moves hamstring Chicago from embarking on a true rebuild, so the new general manager won’t be able to do much outside of trying to attract free agents. Ultimately, Weatherspoon will have to make the most with what she’s been given, and if there’s any coach out there who can get the most out of players, it’s Weatherspoon.
It’s a new era in Skytown 🥄 pic.twitter.com/LkBtlzOu0e
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 12, 2023
If the Sparks had been able to stay healthy all season, the end result would have been different. They would have made the playoffs and been a tough out. Alas, coach Curt Miller’s first go-round in Los Angeles was a rough one because of multiple player injuries and roster inconsistency. And he might not have a chance to regroup with the same players. Seven unrestricted free agents are on the roster, including Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike. Unless players take less money, the Sparks won’t have enough cash to go around. The priority would be to keep Nneka Ogwumike and Canada, who had an exceptional year at point guard. Outside of those moves, it might be best for Los Angeles to explore other free agent options and add talent through the draft. But depending on what happens in free agency, the Sparks could be forced to embark on a rebuild and enter next season with a completely different team outside of Dearica Hamby and Azurá Stevens. A fresh start wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.
The Fever are so close. They lost multiple regular-season games by single digits and were often unable to close out games. That has more to do with experience than talent. The roster is overflowing with young and evolving players, including Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, who are under contract for next season. Unrestricted free agents include Emma Cannon and Amanda Zahui B. — players Indiana can afford to part ways with should it want to shoot for upper level vet with playoff pedigree.
The Fever are solid in the frontcourt. And even though they paid significantly for Erica Wheeler, retooling the backcourt could be the answer. Yet again, bringing in Diggins-Smith could be a potential option, or a taller and better defensive point guard in Canada. If Indiana isn’t able to lure any vets in free agency, it will have excellent options in the draft with what could possibly be a stellar class of rookies. Even if the Fever land the likes of Caitlin Clark, youth would still be a hurdle.
Good news, Storm fans. Loyd put the speculation to rest before the end of the season, signing a contract extension through 2025. She’s clearly in it for the long haul. Noelle Quinn has also been locked up as head coach for the foreseeable future. Now all Seattle has to do is figure out how to improve the roster and add pieces. The rookie class is a bright spot. Jordan Horston, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Jade Melbourne made strides as the season went on. But the Storm need additional veteran talent. It’s going to be a free-for-all during free agency with limited available players, and Seattle doesn’t want to be on the losing end like it was last season. If the Storm play it smart, they’ll have enough cap space to work with to try to attract free agents. Not to sound like a broken record, but Diggins-Smith would be a welcomed backcourt addition. With a lottery pick in the draft, the Storm are at least assured a top rookie asset as they rebuild around Loyd.
Where to begin? I’ll start with Mercury’s positives — plans for a new state-of-the-art practice facility were recently announced, along with the hiring of new head coach Nate Tibbetts. And, depending how you look at it, Diana Taurasi isn’t planning on retiring any time soon. Other than that, the Mercury’s offseason is a mystery. Do they reload in free agency and take another run at a championship with Taurasi still in the fold? If that’s the plan, who would they sign? Diggins-Smith isn’t returning and Brittney Griner has yet to re-sign (though all signs point to her doing so). Sophie Cunningham, Brianna Turner and Moriah Jefferson are under contract, but Phoenix could put together a trade for draft picks or other pieces. Having a lottery pick also puts the Mercury in a good position to upgrade at a variety of positions. The Tibbetts hire was surprising. With a new owner and a new general manager calling the shots, it’s hard to gauge which direction Phoenix will go.
(Photo of Skylar Diggins-Smith: Kate Frese / Getty Images)
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Lyndsey D’Arcangelo writes about women’s college basketball and the WNBA for The Athletic and women’s sports for Fast Company. Her first nonfiction book, “Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women’s Football League” is available now. Follow Lyndsey on Twitter @darcangel21
