Starting of WNBA free company hasn’t answered these burning questions



A number of the largest names within the WNBA have already discovered their touchdown spots for the 2025 season.

Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd are among the many league’s prime stars who can be suiting up for brand new groups for the primary time of their careers.

Whereas the primary few days of the free company signing interval have offered solutions to a few of the largest questions heading into the offseason, the strikes additionally increase extra queries to debate:

Belgian basketball star Emma Meesseman has sat out the previous two WNBA seasons to give attention to the nationwide staff however is seemingly the largest free agent accessible this winter. Getty Photos

Wright here may Emma Meesseman and different remaining free brokers go?

A lot of the prime free brokers have signed.

Breanna Stewart hasn’t formally inked her inevitable take care of the Liberty, however the reunion is fait accompli, leaving 6-foot-4 Belgian star Emma Meesseman as the perfect unsigned free agent.

Meesseman has sat out 4 of the previous seven WNBA seasons — together with the previous two years — to play for the Belgian nationwide staff in varied worldwide competitions.

However there’s a rising perception that Meesseman will make her extremely anticipated return to the WNBA in 2025.

Meesseman received’t meet with groups till mid-February, in accordance with ESPN, however she’ll be a extremely sought-after participant given her versatile talent set, together with the flexibility to stretch the ground.

The depleted Solar could be an choice.

Different intriguing free brokers to regulate embrace 2024 Sixth Participant of the 12 months Tiffany Hayes, Alysha Clark and Chennedy Carter.

The Atlanta Dream introduce, from left, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Brionna Jones, and Brittney Griner in a press convention on Tuesday. Getty Photos

How will Griner and Brionna Jones slot in Atlanta?

Griner is definitely the largest free agent signing within the Dream’s historical past.

However she wasn’t the one large pickup for Atlanta.

The Dream additionally signed Solar heart Brionna Jones.

It’ll be fascinating to see how new head coach Karl Smesko may stagger the 2 All-Star bigs or whether or not the offense may need some flooring spacing points when Jones and Griner share the court docket.

The Dream do have sturdy 3-point shooters in Allisha Grey and Ryne Howard, who seem to be excellent matches for the offensive philosophy of taking a bunch of 3s which had been a trademark of Florida Gulf Coast throughout Smesko’s 17-year tenure there.

The Dream completed final in offensive effectivity final season.

Smesko hopes to repair that, however how he may tailor his strategy given the personnel he has can be value watching.

Is it too early to say the Fever received free company?

After snapping a file eight-year playoff drought final season, Indiana already had a strong younger basis with back-to-back prime picks and Rookie of the 12 months winners Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston.

Even with the strikes the Mercury made this offseason, the Fever may take the cake of this yr’s free company winners.

Indiana addressed a few of its largest roster issues after which some over the previous week.

Not solely do the Fever have the likes of Caitlin Clark, they’re bringing again two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. AP

The Fever employed extremely regarded coach Stephanie White away from the Solar and re-signed two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell.

Indiana additionally added confirmed winners DeWonna Bonner, Natasha Howard and Sydney Colson, who’ve seven championship rings between the three of them, and traded for spunky guard Sophie Cunningham.

The Solar’s implosion and the reshuffling of star gamers have pushed the Fever from being one of many final groups to make the playoffs into the dialog of title competition.

Wailing Diana Taurasi return or retire?

There’s no participant who at present deserves a farewell tour greater than Diana Taurasi.

However it might be extraordinarily becoming for the three-time WNBA champion, who spent her total enjoying profession in Phoenix, to go away with out the fanfare.

Phoenix Mercury legend Diani Taurasi defends Breanna Stewart in a Might 2024 matchup at Barclays Heart. Noah Okay. Murray

Taurasi nonetheless hasn’t shared her plans for the upcoming WNBA season.

The six-time Olympic gold medalist acknowledged late final season that “the top is close to,” however has been noncommittal on her plans.

Within the case that final season was Taurasi’s remaining run, the Mercury honored their longtime star with an emotional “If This Is It” tribute on social media.

With Griner’s departure and Sabally’s arrival, it’s clear that the Mercury are getting into a brand new period.

Whether or not Taurasi can be a part of a minimum of the beginning of it, although, stays unsure.

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