WNBA 365 Roundtable: 2016 Free Agent List
*In this edition of the WNBA 365 Roundtable, the WNBA 365 crew will give their thoughts on the 2016 WNBA Free Agent List that the WNBA silently released on Friday January 15th*.
From Shorty:
My initial thoughts are I was under the impression that these two names would be on this year's free agent list (Kristi Toliver and Angel McCoughtry). Now that it appear these two have signed multi-year deals, for Sparks fans they can breathe a sigh of relief knowing Toliver will be locked in for the 2016 season. Looking at the list from a Sparks fan perspective, without question the team's franchise star in Candace Parker had to be cored. For our reserve players - Farhiya Abdi needs to go because it seems like L.A. has no interest in developing her and I would love for them to bring back Ana Dabovic and Marianna Tolo, though I should mention that all three may possibly miss some time this season due to the olympics. As for resticted - I'm not sure what they're going to do with Sandrine Gruda who will also play for the French National Team this summer and Nneka Ogwumike who is a star in her own right, will be re-signed by L.A.
Unresticted - Temeka Johnson it was fun while it lasted, but I would rather not watch her dribble until the 24 second shot clock nearly runs out (then throws up a floater) so good riddence. As for other names on this list. I like Alysha Clark, but I'm not sure what L.A would want to give up for her and I can also see Riquana Williams somewhere outside of Dallas. Glory Johnson could be on the move, Sue Bird may or may not want to spend her final year in Seattle. Los Angeles could use another back up guard, but Johnson isn't the answer, neither is Ajavon. Lastly, Michelle Snow who signed with L.A near the end of last season, I don't see her returning at all.
From Kristul (@puptent10):
Well, well, well it is that time of year again where many WNBA fans freak out about their potential favorite players signing to their not so favorite teams. Like Shorty, I too was shocked not to see Kristi Toliver, Alana Beard or Angel McCoughtry on this year's free agency list. As a huge Kristi Toliver fan, and just an LA Sparks fan in general, I know I can breathe easy this time around. Because I will be the first to tell you, If KT would've signed somewhere else, ya'll wouldn't hear from me for a couple of days. I also agree with Shorty that Candace Parker will be cored again, thus securing her spot on LA's roster again. Again, If CP wasn't cored, I would be floored for days rocking back and fourth in a dark corner. I'm sure LA will not only re-sign Nneka, but match any offer that will be thrown her way. Nneka is a key piece that LA can't afford to lose, especially if they are trying to make a run for the playoffs, title. I would love to see Tolo, Dabovic back on LA's roster in 2016.
Now, I know what you are all thinking, and the answer is yes, I too want Abdi to go to Chicago. (Sorry Eric, I just really don't want her in LA.) No seriously. Abdi has overstayed her vacation here in LA and I think it is time for the organization to move on. Who would I love to see take Abdi's place you ask? Tiffany Hayes perhaps. But I don't see ATL not matching any offer given for her. Shavonte Zellouse, maybe? Shoot, we can take Keisha from down the street. Anyone but Abdi. As far as Temeka Johnson goes, I have a feeling Agler, Penny will re-sign her for "veteran leadership". My hope is that we can grab another scoring guard that won't dribble the ball 1 million times before they decide to run a play. Maybe a vet like Kara Lawson would be a good fit because of her defensive skill and playmaking ability. Either way, I am excited to see how this Free Agency period will unfold.
(P.S, I think Glory goes, Riquana goes and Sue stays. I also do not think Michelle Snow will be added on any team year.)
From Eric:
There are several free agents from this offseason's class who have set themselves up for a big pay day...and they may not be names everyone is familiar with.
As you probably know, when a player's status is "restricted," this means that other teams are allowed to sign her to offer sheets, after which her current team is given time to match those offers in order to keep her. A handful of players who qualify as restricted free agents are coming off career years, so it might be a bit painful for their teams to retain their services. Shenise Johnson, in particular, is coming off a season during which she could have easily won the WNBA's Most Improved Player award, so the Fever are likely going to have to pony up to keep her in Indiana. Her teammate and wing partner Shavonte Zellous is also a free agent, but is unrestricted; perhaps we'll see a change of scenery for her if the Fever are unable to afford her and keep Johnson at the same time?
Beyond that, you have a pair of solid post players in Devereaux Peters and LaToya Sanders who figure to get raises. Both are defensive specialists, with Peters being the lone bright spot in a spotty Lynx frontcourt during the first half of 2015 and Sanders a flat-out game-changer for Washington. Aneika Henry also has a chance at a higher salary after performing more than adequately as a backup for years in Atlanta before getting her chance to shine after Erika de Souza was traded to the Sky.
Wing players qualifying as RFAs include Tiffany Hayes (yes, it might be an expensive offseason for the Dream) and the ever-underrated Alysha Clark, who's coming off an incredibly efficient season for Seattle. I'm guessing both of these players will stay put, however; with her ability to push the tempo and draw fouls, Hayes is integral to what Atlanta likes to do on both ends of the court, while Clark is the perfect "glue" player for the rebuilding Storm. She can play on both the wing and in the post, and has already served as the team's main mentor to Jewell Loyd; with Breanna Stewart incoming, I expect the Storm to ask Clark to once again reach into her bag of tricks and take another rookie under her wing...even if it means paying her a little more.
(P.S. Kristul...I think we're all set, but thank you very much for the offer!)
