GSV Expansion Draft Prediction: Las Vegas Aces
the only prescription is more picks
The primary index for the whole Expansion Draft Series is here.
Fansided: Kiah Stokes
The Aces might have the deepest roster in the W, which means that whichever direction they go, someone very talented is going to slip through the cracks. That might be Kate Martin, but the bet here is that Vegas chooses to hold on to its second-round pick from this year's draft. If that is in fact the case, Stokes could be available, and it'd be hard to turn down a rock-solid center who spent long stretches as a starter for a championship squad.
SI.com: Kate Martin
The Valkyries selecting Kate Martin makes sense for multiple reasons. One is that, in this roster prediction, Golden State needs a three-and-D type of player, and Martin fits that bill. She's also young, has much potential to develop, and is already one of the league's most popular players. Plus, (while it's doubtful anytime soon) what better way to try and lure Caitlin Clark to the Valkyries down the line than by signing her best friend?
The Ringer: Liz Kitley
Sohi: Kate Martin, potentially also another bubble candidate on the Aces. Let’s talk about the Aces, too. After their core four, you’re kind of in a weird spot. I guess Kate Martin does make sense to protect because everybody else is really old. You’re not going to have Alicia Clark.
Merchant: If I’m Natalie Williams, I’m probably protecting Alicia Clark and Kate Martin.
Sohi: Yeah, and maybe Tiffany Hayes just retires.
Merchant: Tiffany Hayes—if she wants to retire again.
Sohi: If she goes to the Valkyries, she’s just not going to report. That’s the way I think it’s going to work out.
Merchant: Yeah, she just will not be there.
…
Merchant: So, for the Aces, if they want to protect Liz Kitley, they would have to do that, and it would cost them potentially protecting Kate Martin.
Sohi: Oh, that’s an interesting one. I would take Liz Kitley for sure if I was in the Valkyries. Interesting player.
Merchant: Yeah, I mean, I think she’s really talented. Obviously, she’s had to rehab all year, but, I mean, it’s just like a rookie.
Sohi: Exactly.
Merchant: You could start her on a rookie-scale contract, too, before the CBA changes.
Valhalla.Basketball (very detailed analysis at site):
This will be one team where the input of Natalie Nakase will help the front office make a decision due to her familiarity with the players involved. Las Vegas has their own decision-making process to go through on their protection process when they try to retool the back half of their roster to return to championship contention. They could protect their veterans, leaving the Valkyries a choice among younger players like Kate Martin and Elizabeth Kitley. The Aces could also protect those two players, leaving Kiah Stokes and Megan Stokes available or protect a player from each category. If the Valkyries had hired someone else as head coach, Las Vegas might have been more readily able to offer a trade for additional protection or to attach an asset to guarantee that Kierstan Bell was selected so that her guaranteed salary could be removed from the cap and allow them to get flexibility elsewhere. Any trade negotiation will be a little tougher now as both sides would be trying to get the advantage on each other.
Another deep team which means someone good should be available Odd comment from Valhalla about how a trade will be tougher because the Vs hired Nakase - you're saying they are mad that one of their coaches got an opportunity, so now they aren't going to work on a trade that might help them? Not following the logic, I really don't see how the coach and the roster work are related.
Stokes seems like a good, physically imposing defender at the 5, but I don’t think I realized quite what a nonentity she’s been offensively. I guess you can hide that sort of thing on a roster like LV’s.
Kitley could be sort of interesting. EA made the good point last week that this expansion draft is likely to be focused, by necessity, on high-floor, reliable vets. Still, one or two fliers on recent draftees would seem a worthwhile gamble to me, just to acquire a bit of upside. Kitley would likely have been a high pick if not for the injury—a player like that (assuming medicals check out in her case) could be sort of like gaining an extra FRP.