No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show
Episode: Is the Las Vegas Aces Dynasty Over? Can the Minnesota Lynx Become Champs? + More on the WNBA Western Conference
Release Date: May 2, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keita, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman

Introduction

In this episode of No Offseason, hosted by Zena Keita alongside Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman, the panel delves deep into the current dynamics of the WNBA Western Conference. The primary focus revolves around the status of the Las Vegas Aces, the potential rise of the Minnesota Lynx, and a comprehensive analysis of other key Western Conference teams.

Las Vegas Aces: Is the Dynasty Over?

[02:02] Zena Keita:
The discussion kicks off with a pressing question: "Is the Las Vegas Aces dynasty over?" The Aces, who clinched back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, saw a dip in performance last year, not advancing beyond the second round of the playoffs.

[04:34] Sabreena Merchant:
Sabreena provides a nuanced perspective on labeling the Aces as a "dynasty." "They were one round away from the Finals," she notes, emphasizing that the team remains competitive. She highlights Asia Wilson's pivotal role, stating, "When you have a player as talented and as productive as Asia Wilson, I think the ceiling is always going to be championship for this particular roster."

[06:17] Zena Keita:
Zena underscores the Aces' strategic offseason moves, including the acquisition of Jewel Lloyd. She queries how these changes might shape the team's trajectory for the upcoming season.

[06:55] Ben Pickman:
Ben analyzes Jewel Lloyd's impact, noting her transition from the Seattle Storm to the Aces. He raises concerns about the team's frontcourt depth, especially with Cheyenne Parker Tyres' expected absence due to pregnancy. "One of the main questions is how the Aces will manage Asia Wilson's high minutes to ensure she remains fresh for the playoffs," he adds.

[09:09] Sabreena Merchant:
Adding to the frontcourt concerns, Sabreena mentions the loss of Alicia Clark, the Aces' primary power forward. "There really isn't a power forward in that grouping who can move Asia to the center to give them more lineup versatility," she explains.

[10:22] Ben Pickman:
Ben discusses the statistical performance of Asia Wilson last season, highlighting her efficiency and the need for the coaching staff to make life easier for her. "It's all about making things easier on her and the players around her so that when the games really do matter, this is a team that is clicking on all cylinders," he asserts.

Minnesota Lynx: A Championship Contender?

[11:43] Zena Keita:
Shifting focus to the Minnesota Lynx, Zena introduces Nafisa Collier as a standout player. She posits whether Collier is the best basketball player in the world and explores her potential to lead the Lynx to a championship.

[13:03] Sabreena Merchant:
Sabreena lauds Collier's exceptional performance, particularly in the playoffs. "During the playoffs last year, she played 39 minutes per game and led the league in points, rebounds, steals, blocks, free throws," she remarks. She draws parallels to the Lynx's historical resilience, recalling their comeback from a heartbreaking Finals loss in 2016 to win the championship in 2017.

[15:16] Zena Keita:
Zena highlights the Lynx's current roster stability and Collier's continuous improvement. "With the continuity and the fact that Fee is on this incredible run, the Lynx should settle for nothing short of a championship this year," she concludes.

LA Sparks: Can They Rebound?

[22:08] Zena Keita:
The panel transitions to discussing the LA Sparks, questioning their future competitiveness after missing the playoffs for four consecutive seasons.

[22:33] Sabreena Merchant:
Sabreena outlines the Sparks' challenges, despite recent offseason additions like Kelsey Plum and Rekia Jackson. "They can be okay this year, but it's unclear if they can be good," she states, citing their 8–32 record in 2024 and inconsistent performances.

[24:15] Zena Keita:
Zena emphasizes the potential offensive strengths with players like Rekia Jackson and Cameron Brink but raises concerns about the Sparks' defensive capabilities.

[24:54] Ben Pickman:
Ben agrees, noting that while the Sparks boast a promising offense, their defense remains a significant weakness. "If they want to be a championship contender, they sure as hell better be better on the defensive end of the floor," he warns.

Seattle Storm: New Additions and Future Outlook

[27:39] Ben Pickman:
Ben discusses the Seattle Storm's acquisition of Dominique Malanga from France. He highlights her recent success in the Euroleague and the potential she brings to the Storm's roster.

[29:02] Sabreena Merchant:
Sabreena critiques the Storm's shooting inefficiencies last season but remains cautiously optimistic about new additions like Malanga and Ezzy Magagor. "They need her to provide some pace and energy to this team," she explains.

[31:49] Sabreena Merchant:
Further, Sabreena points out Seattle's lack of youth, with key players in their 30s, and emphasizes the importance of Dominique Malanga's role in injecting vitality into the team.

Phoenix Mercury: Roster Reconstruction

[33:43] Ben Pickman:
Ben analyzes the Phoenix Mercury's roster changes, noting the departures of key players like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. He discusses the challenges the team faces in maintaining competitiveness with the loss of these stars.

[35:28] Zena Keita:
Zena explores the Mercury's offensive strategies, questioning how players like Alyssa Thomas and Satsu Sabley will integrate their playstyles. She expresses uncertainty about the team's ability to secure a top-four position in the league.

Rapid Fire Segment

The hosts engage in a rapid-fire round, answering questions on:

• Most Impactful Free Agent Signing:

  • Ben: Janelle Stallone, a promising French forward joining the Golden State Valkyries.
  • Sabreena: Alicia Clark's return to the Seattle Storm for her veteran experience and versatility.

• Most Intriguing New Regime:

  • Ben: Golden State Valkyries, as an expansion team with a completely new setup.
  • Sabreena: Las Vegas Aces, due to changes in the front office and coaching staff.

• First-Time All-Star:

  • Sabreena: Paige Beckers.
  • Ben: Alanna Smith of the Minnesota Lynx.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a light-hearted game and previews the next episode, which will feature an in-depth analysis of the Golden State Valkyries and other expansion teams. The hosts encourage listeners to follow the show on various platforms and engage with their content.

Notable Quotes

• Sabreena Merchant [04:34]:
  "When you have a player as talented and as productive as Asia Wilson, I think the ceiling is always going to be championship for this particular roster."

• Ben Pickman [06:55]:
  "How are the Aces going to give Asia just a little bit of rest during the regular season so that she is as fresh as she can be during the playoffs?"

• Sabreena Merchant [13:03]:
  "If you have a player who is of that capability, like Nafisa Collier or Asia Wilson, you're in the championship conversation and the Lynx should settle for nothing short of that this year."

• Ben Pickman [22:55]:
  "They are much more in the 7 to 10 conversation than anywhere else. I've gotten better, but so has the rest of the league."

Final Thoughts

This episode of No Offseason provides a comprehensive analysis of the Western Conference in the WNBA, offering insights into team strategies, player performances, and future prospects. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to women's basketball, the discussion offers valuable perspectives on the league's evolving landscape.

For more detailed discussions and exclusive interviews, be sure to tune in to No Offseason every Tuesday and Friday.