Women's Basketball 24.7

"There is no offseason"

Shake Up in the WNBA’s Eastern Conference!

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January 31, 2017

The Washington Mystics, New York Liberty and the Seattle Storm were involved in a three team trade yesterday. The Mystics traded Kia Vaughn and Bria Hartley to the New York Liberty in exchange for Seattle’s #6 pick in the first round of the 2017 WNBA Draft. In return, the Storm received Liberty center Carolyn Swords. Washington also exchanged this year’s second round pick (15 th overall) for Seattle’s second round selection (18th overall). The blockbuster trade didn’t go down until later in the evening when it was announced that Chicago Sky forward Elena Delle Donne had been traded to the Mystics! Delle Donne expressed her desire to part ways with the Chicago Sky to be closer to home (Delaware) and even suggested she would be willing to sit out if a deal didn’t get done. Chicago’s hand was forced and in exchange for their superstar the Sky will receive the 2015 All-Star center Stefanie Dolson; last season’s seventh overall pick, Kahleah Copper; and the second overall selection in this year’s draft.

The acquisition of one of the best players in the WNBA immediately makes the Mystics a championship contender. The Mystics finished 10th in the standings last season with a dismal 13-21 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2012 season. Elena Delle Donne who was the league MVP for the 2015 season will team up with All-Star forward Emma Messeman who continues to improve every year. Messeman was selected to her first All-Star game in 2015 and in 2016 she led her team in scoring with 15.6 points per game. She also lead the entire WNBA in three-point shooting percentage at 45.5%. Tayler Hill had a breakout season for the Mystics where she finished second in voting for Most Improved Player in 2016. Hill’s scoring average increased from 7.5 ppg in 2015 to 15.4 ppg in 2016. Delle Donne, Messeman, and Hill are a pretty dangerous big three in the Eastern Conference. The Mystics  are now the team to beat. Although the Liberty had the best record in the EC and the third best record overall last season, Delle Donne changes the game. If head coach Mike Thibault can smoothly insert the talent of Delle Donne into his fast paced offense, they will be an exciting team to watch. Maybe old Mystics fans will come back and support their team this coming season. They certainly will have a lot to cheer for! 

 

 

WNBA Free Agency 2016; Washington Mystics

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Our last team to cover in our WNBA Free Agency outlooks are the Washington Mystics. The Mystics have made a playoff appearance three years straight although each time they have been knocked out in the first round. They finished the 2015 season in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 18-16 and faced the top seed New York Liberty in the first round of the playoffs. In what was one of the most exciting series in the 2015 playoffs the Liberty won 2-1 and sent the Mystics home. Head coach Mike Thibault has really made his mark on this franchise when he took over in 2013 after leaving the Connecticut Sun. He is the all time winningest coach in the WNBA and has brought his winners mentality to a franchise that has struggled in that department. With a promising group of players the Mystics will again be in playoff contention next season.

There are only two free agents on the Mystics roster this year and they are both unrestricted. Kara Lawson and Latoya Pringle-Sanders will both be up for grabs this off season. Lawson who came to her hometown team after winning a championship with the Sacramento Monarchs and being a key player for the Connecticut Sun has battled injury since coming to Washington. This past season she missed a total of 12 games and the season before she sat out six. In what will be her 14th season in the WNBA if she decides to return, Kara Lawson brings leadership and experience. In addition, she is also a capable scorer where throughout most of her career she has averaged at least 40% shooting percentage from the three point line. I don’t see Lawson joining another franchise this offseason, if anything, she will finish her career a Washington Mystic.

The Mystics will also be making a decision on Latoya Pringle. Washington has had the rights to Pringle for several years but it wasn’t until the 2015 season that she decided to join the team. She’s actually only played four seasons in the WNBA after being drafted in 2008. In her first year with the Mystics she averaged 5 points and almost 7 rebounds in 18 minutes per game. Pringle has shown herself to be one of the best forward/centers in Europe where she holds a Turkish passport. She is a great shot blocker and has good moves around the basket. She is also capable of knocking down mid range shots. If the Mystics can lock her up I think they should definitely go for it. She only competed in 23 games last season for Washington and a full season with the team could make the difference.  Other teams will be after a player with her size and skill so there may be a bidding contest to sign her.

The Mystics have their inside covered with Dolson and Messeman holding down the block. With nothing lost when Kia Vaughn enters the game. Natasha Cloud, who was a rookie last season, started 22 games for the Mystics. Tayler Hill who returned from giving birth to her son the previous season will have to step up this season and make her mark on this team and the league. Bria Hartley, who struggled with an injury for part of the season where she missed 9 games will return healthy and ready to compete for a spot in the starting lineup. Those players in addition to the Latta should again compete for a Eastern Conference Championship however I think Washington needs to add a piece or two that can complement what they already have on the roster. What do you think Washington needs to do to improve from last season? Do they have what it takes? Will they sign a free agent this off season? Let us know.