For the primary time in her profession, 10-time All-Star heart Brittney Griner is testing the free agent market.
Whereas gamers can’t signal contracts till Feb. 1, negotiations can start as of Tuesday. In keeping with Griner’s agent, she is already assembly with a number of groups, per the Related Press.
Since Griner was drafted No. 1 general by the Phoenix Mercury within the 2013 WNBA Draft, she has all the time re-signed with the franchise.
As Griner explores her choices, listed here are three potential touchdown spots for the star participant.
Connecticut Solar
Because the begin of the 2017 season, the Solar have clinched a postseason berth every season and made two WNBA Finals appearances in that stretch.
With three gamers presently signed to the roster, the Solar have $1,116,264 in cap room, which ought to make for an lively free company for the franchise.
Connecticut was led by forwards DeWanna Bonner (15 PPG, six RPG), Brionna Jones (13.7 PPG) and Alyssa Thomas (10.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 7.9 APG) and guards Marina Mabrey (14.4 PPG) and DiJonai Carrington (12.7 PPG) final season.
After dropping in 5 video games to the Minnesota Lynx within the semifinals, the Solar have the house obtainable to assemble one other title-contending workforce. A possible disadvantage for Griner, nevertheless, might be the shortage of facilities that Thomas has been vocal about. The Solar current a smaller market and maintain practices on the Mohegan Neighborhood and Authorities Middle, which presents occasional scheduling conflicts.
The Solar seem to be a logical touchdown spot for Griner, assuming they will convey again most of their manufacturing from a season in the past. With the big quantity of cap house and lack of facilities for the small-market workforce, it must be fascinating to see how the franchise handles free company.
Seattle Storm
The Storm have been a constant playoff contender in recent times, highlighted by a three-game sweep of the Las Vegas Aces within the 2020 WNBA Finals. The franchise heads into the 2025 season with $712,377 of cap house and the potential lack of six-time All-Star guard and two-time champion Jewel Loyd, who requested for a commerce final month.
Forwards Nneka Ogwumike (16.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG) and Gabby Williams (10.3 PPG) and guards Skylar Diggins-Smith (15.1 PPG, 6.4 APG) and Loyd (19.7 PPG) have been main contributors to the workforce’s success a season in the past. With Loyd asking for a commerce and Ogwumike an unrestricted free agent, the chance of all 4 of them returning doesn’t appear excessive.
If the roster can largely keep intact, Griner might be a wonderful addition to a workforce that misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs final season.
Golden State Valkyries
Just like the Solar, the WNBA’s latest franchise has loads of cap house obtainable. The truth is, they lead all the league with $1,201,505, largely because of the workforce’s choice to not tackle high-end assured contracts within the enlargement draft.
Whereas the franchise is getting into its first season, there’s a lot to love general. Group proprietor Joe Lacob stated he desires a championship inside 5 years. The choice to rent Natalie Nakase, two-time champion as an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces, because the workforce’s head coach and common supervisor Ohemaa Nyanin, who helped construct the star-studded New York Liberty workforce as an assistant GM, places them in a wonderful place to start out with.
No participant presently on the roster averaged greater than 7.4 factors per recreation final season, so touchdown Griner would give them a longtime veteran and a serious increase in offensive manufacturing.
The roster will not be constructed to be a severe contender as of now, but when the suitable items fall into place, the workforce’s location and imaginative and prescient might be sufficient to be within the combine to land Griner.
