No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Episode 12: Burning WNBA Offseason Questions
Release Date: October 28, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 12 of "No Offseason," hosted by The Athletic's team—Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabreena Merchant, and Ben Pickman—the focus shifts to dissecting pressing offseason questions for all twelve WNBA teams. Recorded just before significant coaching changes in the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana Fever, the episode provides a comprehensive post-season analysis, leveraging insights from Ben Pickman's perspective to evaluate each team's strengths, weaknesses, and future prospects.

1. New York Liberty – Number 1 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The New York Liberty clinched their first championship in 28 years, marking a historic milestone. However, their path to the title was riddled with challenges, including near-miss foul calls and inconsistent performances from key players like Sabrina Ionescu and Brianna Stewart in the finals.

Offseason Questions:

• Learning from the Championship Run:
  Sabrina raises concerns about whether the Liberty can internalize the lessons from their championship, especially given their narrow escape from defeat:

  "If New York wants to repeat, like, they're now going to be hunted, and I think they're gonna need to go up a level." ([08:07])

• Improving Core Performance:
  Ben critiques the Liberty's execution issues and the need for key players to elevate their game:

  "The players have to get better. Like, is that reductive? They just need to be better." ([09:23])

Insights & Conclusions:
The consensus is that while the Liberty have secured a championship, maintaining and surpassing this success hinges on core players enhancing their performance and potentially adjusting team dynamics.

2. Minnesota Lynx – Number 2 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Minnesota Lynx finished as runners-up in the finals, showcasing depth and team cohesion during the regular season. However, their reliance on young talents like Dorka Yuhas and Elisa Peely raised concerns about future stability.

Offseason Questions:

• Protection of Young Talent:
  Ben and Nina discuss the Lynx's dilemma in protecting or trading high draft picks who are pivotal for the team's future:

  Ben: "If I were the Minnesota Lynx, I would protect the starting lineup plus Dorca Juhas..." ([11:41])

  Nina: "If Minnesota links are the most interesting team entering the expansion draft, what are they going to do?" ([13:35])

Insights & Conclusions:
The Lynx face strategic decisions balancing immediate competitiveness with long-term development, particularly regarding their promising young roster.

3. Las Vegas Aces – Number 3 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Aces, two-time defending champions, displayed stellar performances from their core quartet. However, their lack of depth was exposed, leaving questions about their ability to sustain success.

Offseason Questions:

• Bench Strength and Roster Depth:
  Sabrina highlights the Aces' dependence on their core players and the necessity to bolster their bench:

  "What does their bench look like? How do they build out the rest of this roster?" ([16:30])

  Ben emphasizes the importance of their core players returning at peak performance:

  "Can Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young both shoot 40% on threes for a full season?" ([18:05])

Insights & Conclusions:
Enhancing roster depth is crucial for the Aces to remain dominant, necessitating strategic acquisitions and possibly leveraging their strong core effectively.

4. Indiana Fever – Number 4 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Indiana Fever saw significant changes, including Katy Kraskoff rejoining the front office and Kelsey Mitchell exploring free agency despite her pivotal role in the team's success alongside Caitlin Clark.

Offseason Questions:

• Kelsey Mitchell’s Future:
  Ben posits that Mitchell is likely to stay, given her synergy with Clark and the team's commitment:

  "I think Mitchell stays. They probably offer her a max, and they want her to stay with Caitlin Clark." ([21:40])

  Nina adds that maintaining the Mitchell-Clark partnership is vital for the Fever's continuity:

  "I think Mitchell takes a lot of pride in what she's done to make herself a part of that [team]." ([20:51])

Insights & Conclusions:
The Fever are poised to retain their key players, fostering a stable environment centered around their star duo, which is essential for their ongoing competitiveness.

5. Connecticut Sun – Number 5 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Connecticut Sun endured a tough finals series against the Lynx, with concerns about their ability to sustain consistent semifinal performances.

Offseason Questions:

• Coaching and Roster Stability:
  Ben speculates whether the Sun will maintain their current structure or undergo significant changes:

  "They don't have like a stable of young talent to build around like young stars. So I think they're kind of just boxed into like let's bring AT back, let's bring DB back..." ([25:40])

  Nina questions coaching stability, hinting at possible shifts in strategy:

  "I'm halfway there with you, Sabrina. I think at Bonner, Bri and Carrington all come back." ([26:29])

Insights & Conclusions:
With potential coaching changes and questions about roster depth, the Sun may face a transitional phase, balancing between retaining experienced players and integrating new talents.

6. Phoenix Mercury – Number 6 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Mercury have historically revolved around Diana Taurasi. The looming question of her retirement opens avenues for restructuring.

Offseason Questions:

• Taurasi’s Retirement and Team Rebuilding:
  Ben discusses the strategic shifts the Mercury might undertake if Taurasi retires:

  "If she does retire, which I believe she will, it just changes the way the Mercury can think about what they do." ([28:07])

  Nina expresses excitement about a potential fresh start:

  "It is fun to think about. Is there a new guard that you could bring in to be a new pick and roll threat..." ([30:03])

Insights & Conclusions:
Taurasi’s potential retirement is a catalyst for the Mercury to redefine their roster and strategy, offering an opportunity to build a more versatile and depth-oriented team.

7. Seattle Storm – Number 7 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Storm displayed solid chemistry and talent but struggled offensively, ending as the fifth seed without meeting playoff expectations.

Offseason Questions:

• Enhancing Offensive Capabilities:
  Ben critiques the team's offensive limitations, particularly from key shooters:

  "Skylar Diggins Smith is not a shooter anymore... the best offenses Win the title and Seattle is so far away from the best offense in the WNBA." ([33:38])

  Sabrina emphasizes the need for proactive roster improvements:

  "I think you have to be proactive here and I just wonder what they do as a means to be proactive..." ([35:02])

Insights & Conclusions:
The Storm must address their offensive shortcomings by recruiting proficient shooters and enhancing their scoring strategies to leverage their existing talent effectively.

8. Washington Mystics – Number 8 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Mystics are undergoing significant organizational changes, including the departure of Mike and Eric Tebow, leading to uncertainty in leadership and direction.

Offseason Questions:

• Coaching and Management Overhaul:
  Ben reflects on the Mystics' uncertain future post-Tebow departure:

  "They ended up hiring a head coach and then a general manager, in that order... that's a weird situation." ([38:07])

  Nina predicts unconventional hires to foster a rebuild:

  "I think Washington will be the one to pull from a non-women's basketball pool... thinking outside the box." ([40:38])

Insights & Conclusions:
The Mystics are positioned for a potential rebuild, possibly bringing in innovative leadership to stabilize and redefine the franchise’s identity and performance.

9. Atlanta Dream – Number 9 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
Despite battling injuries and a coaching change, the Dream maintained a competitive starting lineup but lacked depth and consistency throughout the season.

Offseason Questions:

• Building Around a Core Starting Five:
  Ben and Sabrina discuss the necessity for Atlanta to enhance depth beyond their primary starters:

  Ben: "It's just about putting in more depth..." ([44:31])

  Sabrina envisions Atlanta as a potential surprise contender with strategic offseason moves:

  "Atlanta could be one of these teams that if they hit a Home run this offseason... could sneakily be one of these rising teams." ([45:35])

Insights & Conclusions:
Atlanta must focus on supplementing their strong starting lineup with reliable bench players and possibly integrating new talents to achieve greater success in the upcoming season.

10. Dallas Wings – Number 10 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Wings experienced a dramatic fall from being a top-four seed in 2023 to a dismal nine-win season in 2024, compounded by injuries and questionable roster decisions.

Offseason Questions:

• Assessing Core Competitiveness Post-Injuries:
  Ben attributes the poor performance to injuries and ineffective roster choices:

  "I think this year was more a flash in the pan of just not their full roster at full strength and back healthy." ([47:33])

  Nina underscores the Wings' reliance on bigs and the need for better offensive strategies:

  "They need to have more than that [big players]... you can't just have..." ([50:32])

Insights & Conclusions:
Dallas faces a critical juncture requiring comprehensive roster reevaluation and strategic planning to recover from a season plagued by injuries and suboptimal player utilization.

11. Los Angeles Sparks – Number 11 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Sparks finished the season with the worst record, compounded by coaching instability and underutilization of their talented roster.

Offseason Questions:

• Ownership’s Strategic Direction and Roster Reconfiguration:
  Ben expresses skepticism about the Sparks’ future, citing potential wholesale changes:

  "My guess is that we're going to see some wholesale changes in addition to just the coaching." ([52:31])

  Sabrina and Nina discuss ownership focus and the potential for organizational shifts akin to those in other sports franchises:

  "They have so much of their current roster under contract for 2025... probably a young GM, too." ([55:04])

Insights & Conclusions:
The Sparks are likely to undergo significant organizational changes aimed at reviving the franchise’s competitive edge, potentially involving extensive roster overhauls and leadership restructuring.

12. Chicago Sky – Number 12 in Power Rankings

Performance Recap:
The Sky struggled with stability and consistency, facing internal conflicts and lackluster performance despite having talented players like Angel Reese.

Offseason Questions:

• Establishing Stability and Leadership:
  Ben laments the Sky’s chaotic approach to leadership, indicating a lack of clear strategy:

  "What helps them seem like they're trying to build... I don't get it." ([56:09])

  Nina emphasizes the necessity for a unifying head coach to rebuild trust and cohesion within the team:

  "Whoever comes in as a head coach has to get them to buy in..." ([56:52])

Insights & Conclusions:
Chicago Sky urgently need to establish a stable and cohesive leadership structure, focusing on harmonizing the coaching staff and empowering star players to foster a unified and competitive team environment.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the complex landscape of the WNBA offseason, highlighting the myriad challenges and opportunities each team faces. They emphasize the importance of strategic planning, roster management, and leadership stability in shaping the future success of the franchises. Looking ahead, the podcast promises continued in-depth coverage of women's college basketball, ensuring fans stay informed and engaged with the evolving narratives in the sport.

Notable Closing Quote from Sabrina:

"We appreciate you listening today... keep loving the game." ([61:05])

Closing Notes

This episode serves as a critical analysis for WNBA enthusiasts, offering nuanced discussions on team dynamics, player development, and organizational strategies that will shape the upcoming season. By addressing each team's unique challenges and potential, "No Offseason" provides valuable insights for fans and stakeholders aiming to understand the intricacies of women's professional basketball.