No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: Buckets, Bigs, Reffing and Rosters: our WNBA Mailbag Episode!
Release Date: May 27, 2025

Introduction

In this flagship episode of No Offseason, The Athletic delves deep into listener-submitted questions surrounding the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Hosted by Zena Kada, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman, the team navigates topics ranging from team building strategies and the impact of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to player movements and refereeing standards. This episode serves as a comprehensive mailbag session, addressing the most pressing inquiries from the show's engaged and knowledgeable audience.

Team Building: Core Four vs. Depth

Listener Question: Erin E. raised concerns about the Las Vegas Aces relying too heavily on their star players without sufficient bench depth, questioning if the traditional core four strategy remains viable in the evolving WNBA landscape.

Sabrina Merchant ([03:50]) responded by emphasizing that the Aces' struggles stemmed more from the decline in the performance of their core players—Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum—rather than a lack of depth. She stated:

"I don't think it's really a problem of core four versus depth. I think it's just you got to make sure that the Core 4 is very, very good. And that wasn't the case last year, unfortunately."

Ben Pickman ([05:06]) expanded on this by discussing how the new CBA might influence team-building strategies:

"If you want to over index on the top of your roster versus building it out, that's totally fine. It's just your top of your roster needs to be very, very good."

The hosts collectively agree that while depth remains crucial, the quality and performance of star players are paramount, especially during the playoffs when game intensity amplifies.

Impact of the New Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

Ben Pickman ([06:28]) introduced the implications of the new CBA, highlighting the shifts in player contracts and team strategies:

"Teams trying to have like young depth like in the present, right? Because those are cross control contracts. And so rookies, second year, third year players who are still under contract are really, really valuable right now."

Zena Kada ([06:28]) added that the CBA aims to balance power towards players, potentially revitalizing the core four strategy:

"Any team that can find a way to get good four good players to solidify and lock in will bring back the Core 4 era because the depth will consistently be changing as players want to choose where they want to go and where they want to be."

The consensus is that the new CBA could either reinforce the importance of star players or encourage teams to invest in depth, depending on how franchises navigate contract negotiations and player movements.

Player Movement and the Expansion Draft

Listener Question: Ulipplays inquired about the logistics of the upcoming expansion draft, particularly whether it will occur before or after free agency amidst a high rate of unrestricted free agents.

Sabrina Merchant ([13:04]) anticipated that the expansion draft would likely precede free agency, similar to previous years, but acknowledged potential modifications due to the high number of free agents:

"I think there's going to have to be some consideration given to the fact where Golden State can only take one unrestricted free agent in the expansion draft. I think that's basically impossible in this current setup to only be able to take one unrestricted free agent. So I do imagine there's going to be some leniency with that."

Ben Pickman ([14:07]) speculated on player movements post-expansion:

"I don't think all 15 are going to get up and leave teams. Like, I don't think we're just going to see a massive reshuffling there."

The hosts suggest that while some star players may remain with their current franchises, role players are more likely to experience movement, adding a layer of unpredictability to team compositions.

Refereeing: Rules, Consistency, and Improvement

Listener Questions: Kelly M. and Miriam queried the WNBA's refereeing focus on "freedom of movement" and the overall consistency of calls throughout the season.

Sabrina Merchant ([33:00]) explained the concept of "freedom of movement," stressing the importance of maintaining players' ability to move without excessive contact:

"It's just that an offensive player gets to establish their position no matter whether they have the ball or not."

Ben Pickman ([35:15]) addressed concerns about inconsistency:

"One of the things in recent years that people around the league often use the word inconsistent is kind of the big phrase that comes up in conversations."

Zena Kada ([39:13]) highlighted proposed solutions, including independent review booths and adopting NBA-style last two-minute reports to enhance transparency and accountability.

The discussion underscores ongoing efforts within the WNBA to refine officiating standards, with suggestions for structural changes to reduce variability and improve the overall quality of game calls.

Roster Cuts and Player Aftermath

Listener Question: Claire inquired about surprising roster cuts from the recent draft class and the financial and career implications for players who fail to make a roster.

Sabrina Merchant ([22:24]) noted unexpected waivers, mentioning Serena Sandel and Spencer Zaya Cook from Seattle as surprising cuts. Ben Pickman ([22:56]) expressed surprise over Madison Scott's release from the Dallas Wings despite pre-draft trade interests.

When addressing the aftermath:

Ben Pickman ([24:55]) advised players to "stay ready" and consider alternative leagues or hardship contracts:

"There is a lot of situations in which... some of the players who might have been cut from New York Liberty camp... can be signed up."

Sabrina Merchant ([26:00]) suggested avenues such as playing overseas, participating in 3x3 leagues, or returning to their alma maters to stay in shape and showcase their talents.

The hosts emphasize resilience and adaptability for players navigating the uncertain landscape of professional basketball careers post-roster cuts.

Understanding Key Statistics: Plus-Minus and Buckets

Listener Questions: Meg F. sought clarification on plus-minus statistics, while Rosalie was curious about defining "buckets" and identifying top performers.

Sabrina Merchant ([44:47]) demystified the plus-minus metric:

"When a player is on the court, you take the number of points that their team scores, subtract the number of points that the opposing team scores."

Ben Pickman ([46:56]) introduced the concept of "real plus minus" as an advanced metric addressing traditional plus-minus limitations.

Regarding "buckets":

Sabrina Merchant ([48:05]) defined a bucket as a player with confidence and the ability to consistently score:

"To me, a bucket is somebody who feels like they can always get a good shot up."

Ben Pickman ([48:33]) identified Arique Goombawale and Courtney Williams as quintessential buckets, praising their scoring prowess and game impact.

The segment highlights the importance of both traditional and advanced statistics in evaluating player performance, alongside qualitative assessments of player roles and contributions.

Specific Team Insights and Future Predictions

Listener Questions: Kai inquired about the Los Angeles Sparks' potential with Cameron Brink's return, while Justin questioned the Washington Mystics' current ceiling.

Sabrina Merchant ([53:08]) expressed cautious optimism regarding Brink's return, citing her previous defensive impact:

"If she can get back to that immediately after her ACL, I have some reservations... the Sparks ceiling is still first round playoff team."

Ben Pickman ([54:25]) echoed a similar sentiment for the Mystics:

"I think also a first round out playoff team though... maybe trade Brittany Sykes for a first round pick."

The hosts project that both teams are positioned for modest success this season with room for growth as key players return from injury and young talent develops.

Conclusion

This episode of No Offseason offers a thorough exploration of current WNBA dynamics through listener questions and expert analysis. From team-building philosophies and the ramifications of a new CBA to player movement and officiating improvements, the hosts provide nuanced insights into the sport's evolving landscape. By addressing both strategic and statistical aspects, the episode serves as an invaluable resource for fans seeking a deeper understanding of women's basketball.

Notable Quotes:

• Sabrina Merchant ([03:50]): "I don't think it's really a problem of core four versus depth. I think it's just you got to make sure that the Core 4 is very, very good. And that wasn't the case last year, unfortunately."
• Ben Pickman ([05:06]): "If you want to over index on the top of your roster versus building it out, that's totally fine. It's just your top of your roster needs to be very, very good."
• Sabrina Merchant ([22:24]): "I think we can expect a similar setup to what happened this year where expansion takes place before free agency and before the WNBA draft."

Stay Connected:
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