The WNBA free company has been open for every week, and except for a commerce that despatched the Aces’ Derekah Hamby to the Sparks for the rights to Amanda Zahui B. and draft inventory, there was no motion.
Don’t be concerned, it is coming.
For Sky, the most important free agent selections will come from Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot. Relying on what they resolve, Sky will both face a rebuild or be in line for an additional season of title competition.
Vandersloot has reportedly met with Liberty and is anticipated to satisfy Sky, Lynx and Storm. Parker didn’t attend any face-to-face conferences, however gave telesales shows from Sky, Aces and Sparks.
In a best-case situation, Sky’s basic supervisor/coach James Wade would re-sign Vandersloot and Parker, which might allow the franchise to delay rebuilding for an additional yr. Within the worst case situation, the Sky must say goodbye to 2 of the WNBA’s most influential gamers on the identical time.
Wade is new to the season of Govt of the 12 months, so Sky followers should belief he has a stable plan. Nonetheless, in a worst-case situation, there are a number of gamers Sky would possibly goal right here.
Marina Mabry, Wings (restricted free agent)
Mabry is a participant to observe in free company. She was rumored to desire a recent begin from the Wings, who traded for her in 2020. She has ties to the Midwest after enjoying for Notre Dame in 2015-19.
What you may carry to the Sky is a stable scoring menace to play alongside Kahleah Copper and Dana Evans within the backcourt. Because the Sparks drafted her with the nineteenth general decide in 2019, her numbers have steadily elevated. Final season, she averaged 13.6 factors and three.7 assists.
Whether or not or not Sky Vandersloot is misplaced to free company, Mabrey shall be a stable addition to their backcourt. As a result of it’s a restricted free agent, Wings can match any give you obtain.
Brittney Sykes, Sparks (unrestricted free agent)
Sykes is a worthwhile possibility at level guard if the Sky cannot re-sign Vandersloot. She got here off her third straight season to make one of many WNBA’s All-Defensive Groups. In 2021, she completed second in voting for Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
For the time being, Sykes performs overseas with Sky goalkeeper Rebecca Gardner for Spanish membership Spar Metropolis Carry Girona, so there’s already a well-established familiarity. Including them alongside Cooper and Evans will make the Sky backcourt protection even stronger. In three seasons for the Sparks, she averaged 10.8 factors, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals.
However former Sparks assistant Latricia Tramell was employed by the Wings this offseason, making them an attention-grabbing spot for Sykes as nicely.
Alicia Clark, Mystics (unrestricted free agent)
Clark, a two-time NBA champion, was getting back from a foot harm final season however has confirmed he can nonetheless be a mainstay within the Mystics’ protection. The place she was combating aggressively.
Her level common (8.0) was the bottom since 2018, and her subject objective proportion (46.4%) was the bottom since 2014. Nonetheless, Clark has confirmed to be one other worthwhile defensive addition to the skies and can include championship percentages.
For those who lose Sky Parker and Vandersloot, a participant like Clark shall be an asset on a number of fronts.
Azura Stevens, Skye (unrestricted free agent)
Stevens is a participant Heaven intends to re-sign, no matter Parker and Vandersloot’s future with them.
Among the many 2023 listing of free brokers, Stephens ranks behind solely Brenna Stewart and Parker at her place. She’s gotten loads of curiosity from groups throughout the league and has had a number of conferences exterior, in line with a league supply. The one adjustment Sky may make to persuade Stevens to re-sign if Vandersloot and Parker go elsewhere could be within the amount of cash they’re possible to have the ability to supply her.
Stephens ought to play a beginning position for Sky in 2023, primarily based on what she’s contributed up to now three seasons, and different groups are positive to promote her for a dominant position. In a free agent class that lacks depth at level guard and energy ahead, re-signing Stevens is essential.