RebKell's Junkie Boards

[J-Spoon]

[Hoops9092]

It's got to be Seattle or New York for Nneka.

I don't see the point in going to Chicago. She has no ties to that region, they are another mid-level team this year, might as well stay in LA.

She has the glam for NYC and I could see her in the 4 spot, Stewie more of a floating forward at the 3.

But Seattle is clearly the best fit, with Noelle Quinn running the show and a great dynamic guard duo on the perimeter and Ezi at the 5. But the question is if she wants to be in Seattle, and the buzzin NYC?

[pilight]

I don't see how Seattle is considered better than mid-level while Chicago is meh.

_________________
I'm a lonely frog
I ain't got a home

[eyevolley4]

Jewell + SDS + Ezi > Kah + Mars + Liz/Izz

_________________
Some days are meant to be remembered.

[pilight]

[eyevolley4]

[pilight]

[eyevolley4]

[ChasingRatDogmaSalade]

[so-many-pickles]

[GEF34]

With just about 2 days of free agency over here is a look of the signings and trades that took place February 1st or later (only players will be listed, no picks)

https://acrossthetimeline.com/wnba/transactions.html#

Atlanta Dream
Jordin Canada (Trade)
Tina Charles
Nia Coffey
Aerial Powers

Chicago Sky
Lindsay Allen

Connecticut Sun
Rebecca Allen
Rachel Banham
Rennia Davis
Kianna Smith
Sydney Wiese

Dallas Wings
Kalani Brown
Satou Sabally

Indiana Fever
Damiris Dantas
Katie Lou Samuelson

Las Vegas Aces
Sydney Colson
Megan Gustafuson
Morgan Jones
Kiah Stokes

Los Angeles Sparks
Monique Billings
Rae Burrell
Layshia Clarendon
Virag Kiss
Aari McDonald (Trade)
Taylor Mikesell

Minnesota Lynx
Bridget Carleton
Liz Dixon
Alanna Smith
Kayana Traylor
Courtney Williams

New York Liberty
Okako Adika
Ivana Dojkic
Leonie Fiebich
Stephanie Mawuli

Phoenix Mercury
Natasha Cloud

Seattle Storm
Skylar Diggins-Smith

Washington Mystics
Emily Engstler
DiDi Richards
Karlie Samuelson
Julie Vanloo

[Rock Hard]

None of the the star post players have yet to sign a contract.

_________________
You can win, as long as you keep your head to the SKY! Be OPTIMISTIC!

[Ex-Ref]

[johnjohnW]

https://x.com/RachGall/status/1753826373565563113?s=20

Sun trade Rebecca Allen to Phoenix for Moriah Jefferson.

[eyevolley4]

Do we know who the candidates are for DB’s services?

It seems like Phoenix would be a better fit for EDD if they send their draft pick and Bri Turner or Sophie to Washington and EDD does a $150k salary.

Cloud, DT, Becca, EDD, BG - that’s a pretty big upgrade from last year and they’ve made it clear they are shooting for a championship so I doubt the draft pick figures prominently into their plans while Washington needs to take draft picks very seriously right now.

So then we are back to where does Nneka go? Where does DB go?

Let’s say Nneka goes to Seattle. That team would be set talent wise in their starting lineup to compete at the top.

Then would DB consider going to Chicago? And if DB goes then is it best for the Sun to trade AT for max value? Imagine the Fever swapping NaLyssa Smith and next year’s first rounder for AT.

So many crazy options still on the table…

_________________
Some days are meant to be remembered.

[jap]

This whole superteam concept is kind of disgusting. The idea of multiple stars banding together in an effort to significantly increase their chances for championship success seems to cheapen the very idea of championships.

It is one thing to build a team via careful drafting or a few key trades. However, this modern commitment to virtually guarantee championship gold by deliberately stacking yourselves with the very best players just seems so contemptible.

_________________
Regards,
J A P

[johnjohnW]

[Spark4Life]

[Rock Hard]

[jap]

[eyevolley4]

It feels that we are at a stage where Super Team needs to be defined. So what qualifies as a Super Team?

Some ideas:
- Minimum 4 All Star Caliber players, caliber referring to their current quality, not a “once was”
- Minimum 1 individual taking a less than market value contract in order to accommodate contracts that otherwise wouldn’t fit under the cap

Open to other ideas/criteria.

So who are the Super Teams?

1. New York is the best fit of the above criteria largely because of the argument that they have 5 All Star caliber players at their current quality of play and have a high likelihood that Stewart and Jones playing below market value. Sloot could command max, but she isn’t far enough below the standard max to call out the discrepancy.

2. Las Vegas has four clear All Star quality players with Parker very potentially having the ability to be a fifth if she was focused on that above all else but with her decline in ability to consume minutes at a certain quality, she falls off that qualification. Wilson should be super max. Jackie could absolutely get a max contract but her current contract is reflective of her value when she signed it, so that is more in line. Parker was the bargain last year but she isn’t currently signed but I think it’s fair to assume she will but it’s also completely possible she will make more than last year by a decent amount so not ready to assess that.

3. Atlanta All Stars are Allisha, Rhyne, Cheyenne, and Canada (including Canada due to All Defensive 1st Team which feels close enough to All Star to me). Tina will have to prove her all star status, but I think $130k is a bargain for her nonetheless. This isn’t a clean Super Team but it’s not really a big stretch.

Tier Two

Dallas - Arike, Sabally, Howard are All Star caliber even if not all voted to an All Star team. No one is taking a big discount. Not a super team but they are in the upper echelon.

Phoenix - They don’t really have the plethora of All Star caliber. I don’t want Nygaard to knock me, but DT is not All Star caliber though she is still pretty good. Cloud is also All Star adjacent at best in spite of showing the ability to be All Star level at times. More roster change has to happen hear to be considered a Super Team.

Seattle - only three All Star Level types.

Indiana - not enough All Stars. They are overpaying wings not underpaying stars.

Minnesota - not enough All Stars. No one underpaid.

No One Is Confusing Us for a Super Team

Los Angeles
Chicago
Connecticut
Washington

EDD, Bri Jones, AT, DB, and Nneka will determine if anyone rises into the Super Team echelon. Seattle and Phoenix are one player away as long as they are both All Star caliber and take a below market contract. If Connecticut dismantles, their three stars could substantially change the outlook of multiple teams.

_________________
Some days are meant to be remembered.

[J-Spoon]

while not the hugest fan of super teams at least there there will be more than two contenders and

if EDD goes to PX and Ogwumike goes to Seattle there will be a top 6. Dallas is growing into a true contender, Atl made some interesting moves and Howard could take a superstar leap in year 3. And while there seems to be a lot of chatter about Conn rebuilding if Bonner and B. Jones stay put they have enough to stay in the top, they always find there way there. If not Bonner joining one of the above teams or Bonner and Ogwumike going to Chicago could make for an interesting pairing with Copper and Mabrey. And while Washington hasn't made a big move yet if they somehow trade for Bri. Jones (or Jonquel Jones decides she doesn't want to take less to find a way to get Anneka to the Liberty and the Mystics come Knocking) Washington will be back in the mix. And while they will probably be a season or two away An Indy team lead by Boston, Smith and Clark is going to get there and be a tough out even next season.

So yes not a fan of super teams but with a few more forming and growing 24 should be more competitive and exciting that 23 and expansion in 25/26 should even things out a little as well.

[jap]

[craigmont]

[eyevolley4]

I don’t think that Clark is playing that far under market value. I see it more as she is the type of player whose value grows exponentially when surrounded by a certain caliber of teammate. She isn’t forced to be a scorer - scorers get paid. She’s able to fill her niche and come across as high impact without having to stretch into areas that would make her come across as weaker.

Clark is very valuable to the Aces but paying her $175k won’t turn her into a 14ppg scorer on a team that has a chance to advance past the first round of the playoffs.

_________________
Some days are meant to be remembered.