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.
I agree that the flyers are a great idea. I didn't mean to overstate that GSW was going full vet win-now. The picks will be highly dependent on who is actually available.
My very rough guess is that GSV will pick
- 1 or more vets with some WNBA recognition
- a core of young players that can grow with GSV or grow into someone who could be traded
- if available, one player from the Caitlyn Clark cinematic universe (like Nika Muhl, Kate Martin) who got a national profile due to playing with or against Clark.
Aim would be to have a fun team that competes hard on the way to probable losing records in the first two years, but establishes a culture that is ready to nurture the probable very high picks in 2026 and 2027.
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.
I *think* the reasoning is that Nakase will have a lot more inside knowledge of the roster and may be set on drafting one or more per prospects and thus will be less likely to agree to a trade favorable to LVA. To me I could see it going either way.
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.
I agree that the flyers are a great idea. I didn't mean to overstate that GSW was going full vet win-now. The picks will be highly dependent on who is actually available.
My very rough guess is that GSV will pick
- 1 or more vets with some WNBA recognition
- a core of young players that can grow with GSV or grow into someone who could be traded
- if available, one player from the Caitlyn Clark cinematic universe (like Nika Muhl, Kate Martin) who got a national profile due to playing with or against Clark.
Aim would be to have a fun team that competes hard on the way to probable losing records in the first two years, but establishes a culture that is ready to nurture the probable very high picks in 2026 and 2027.
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.
I *think* the reasoning is that Nakase will have a lot more inside knowledge of the roster and may be set on drafting one or more per prospects and thus will be less likely to agree to a trade favorable to LVA. To me I could see it going either way.