1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:03,040 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're talking 2 00:00:03,080 --> 00:00:06,480 Speaker 1: three hundred days of sunshine, two hundred parks, one hundred 3 00:00:06,519 --> 00:00:08,760 Speaker 1: and fifty breweries, and a lot of ways to get 4 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: high in those nearby mountains. Of course, we're already planning 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:15,880 Speaker 1: our trip to see the newest NWSL team in Denver. 6 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:18,960 Speaker 1: It's Friday, January thirty first, and on today's show, we'll 7 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: be talking with Christina Williams, women's basketball insider and host 8 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:24,680 Speaker 1: of In Case you missed It, With Christina Williams right 9 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: here at Iheartwomen's Sports, we'll talk about the chaos that 10 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: is WNBA free agency, get her takes on the biggest moves, 11 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:34,520 Speaker 1: and her prediction for the next big free agent to sign. Plus, 12 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: the tempo is speeding up, the TEMVP is staying in Kansas, 13 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:40,559 Speaker 1: and my city gets a good one back. It's all 14 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: coming up right after this Happy Friday slices. Here's what 15 00:00:55,200 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 1: you need to know today in WNBA news, Courtney Vat 16 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: maybe headed back to the place her pro career started. 17 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 1: Sources tell the Chicago Sun Times Danny Costable that the 18 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: fourteen year vet is poised to rejoin the Chicago Sky 19 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,000 Speaker 1: after she helped the New York Liberty to the franchise's 20 00:01:12,040 --> 00:01:15,679 Speaker 1: first WNBA championship last season. Now, no deal can officially 21 00:01:15,720 --> 00:01:18,319 Speaker 1: be signed till tomorrow, but Vandersuit has already changed her 22 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: very brief Instagram bio to read Chicago Sky. The five 23 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: time All Star was drafted third overall by Chicago in 24 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 1: twenty eleven. She played her first twelve seasons here in 25 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 1: My City and help lead the franchise to its first 26 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,560 Speaker 1: WNBA title in twenty twenty one, alongside Candice Parker and 27 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 1: Kalia Copper. But you might know neither of those two 28 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,679 Speaker 1: gals are still in Chicago. The roster she's joining is 29 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:42,000 Speaker 1: entirely different from the one she last played with in 30 00:01:42,080 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: Chicago in twenty twenty two. There's a new GM, a 31 00:01:44,560 --> 00:01:47,560 Speaker 1: new head coach, and some young, hungry post players like 32 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 1: Angel Reese and Camila Cardoso who do stand to benefit 33 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: from the play of a strong veteran point guard. 34 00:01:52,920 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: So this is a very intriguing move. 35 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: Plus who knows, maybe we'll have a sighting of Court's 36 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 1: wifey and three point assassin Ali Quid. Feels like she 37 00:02:01,560 --> 00:02:03,280 Speaker 1: straight up irish Goodbye. 38 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 2: The league, but you never know. More. 39 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:08,280 Speaker 1: WNBA News the Toronto Tempo expansion team, set to begin 40 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 1: play in twenty twenty six, has hired Monica Wright Rogers 41 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 1: as its first ever general manager. Rogers has been the 42 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:17,160 Speaker 1: Phoenix Mercury's assistant GM since January of twenty twenty three, 43 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 1: and prior to that, she held various coaching and staff 44 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:21,920 Speaker 1: roles at the women's college level as well as in 45 00:02:21,919 --> 00:02:23,600 Speaker 1: the MNBA League office. 46 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 2: Rogers was also a two. 47 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 1: Time champ with the Minnesota Links during her playing career, 48 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:31,520 Speaker 1: playing seven seasons total, and most importantly, she's a legend 49 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 1: out of Forest Park High School in Prince William County, Virginia, 50 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: the very same county where meche Cross people up in 51 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: high school ball. More WNBA news, a Nashville group is 52 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: putting in a bid for a WNBA team with a 53 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 1: name that's tough to top. The chairman of the NHL's 54 00:02:46,320 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: Nashville Predators and his wife have teamed up with a 55 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:52,000 Speaker 1: celeb filled investor group including Kandas Parker, Hall of Fame 56 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:55,440 Speaker 1: QB Peyton Manning and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to 57 00:02:55,520 --> 00:02:57,560 Speaker 1: pitch for a franchise that would start playing in twenty 58 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,560 Speaker 1: twenty eight and be named the Tennessee's Summit in honor 59 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: of the late Pat Summit. Y'all, that's so good and 60 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,239 Speaker 1: I will take any excuse to get down to Nashville, 61 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:09,079 Speaker 1: So go ahead and put that one through. W We're 62 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:12,920 Speaker 1: all in to softball and Athletes Unlimited where. The draft 63 00:03:12,919 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: for the inaugural AU Softball League AKAAUSL took place on 64 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 1: Wednesday night. The Bandits, Blaze, Talents, and Volts all filled 65 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:24,000 Speaker 1: their first twelve roster spots and in the next few 66 00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 1: months will round out their teams with one free agent 67 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: signing and three picks from the AU College Draft in 68 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:31,519 Speaker 1: the spring. The first round of this draft was all pitchers. 69 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: The Bandits selected Lexi Kilfoil first overall, then the Blaze 70 00:03:35,840 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 1: picked Carly Hoover, the Talents took Megan Ferremo, and the 71 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: Volts completed the round with Rachel Garcia. We'll link to 72 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: the full draft results in our show notes. And one 73 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:48,160 Speaker 1: of the folks drafted to play in the upcoming season 74 00:03:48,280 --> 00:03:50,280 Speaker 1: is utility player Maya Brady. 75 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 2: Recognize that name. 76 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: The Talents took her nineteenth overall in the fifth round 77 00:03:54,400 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: of the draft. Brady's a lefty hitter and a menace 78 00:03:57,120 --> 00:03:59,839 Speaker 1: at bat coming in with both skill and star power 79 00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 1: behind her name. The twenty three year olds a two 80 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:04,000 Speaker 1: time first team All American and PAC twelve Player of 81 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 1: the Year and ranks second all time in home runs, 82 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: runs betted, in total bases, and slugging percentage at UCLA, 83 00:04:10,440 --> 00:04:14,200 Speaker 1: one of college softball's most consistently excellent programs, and she 84 00:04:14,280 --> 00:04:17,400 Speaker 1: also happens to be the niece of NFL quarterback Tom 85 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: Brady and former Major League Baseball All. 86 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:20,920 Speaker 2: Star Kevin Euclis. 87 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:24,599 Speaker 1: On to pro soccer, the NWSL has officially awarded Denver 88 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:27,680 Speaker 1: its sixteenth franchise. The club will begin play in twenty 89 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:31,040 Speaker 1: twenty six. This is big news for Denver women's sports fans, 90 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 1: as the Colorado Explosion of the American Basketball Association, who 91 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,240 Speaker 1: played from ninety six to ninety eight, has been the 92 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 1: only professional women's sports team to previously call Colorado home. 93 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,440 Speaker 1: The league chose Denver as its next expansion side partially 94 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: due to the grassroots movement for Denver FC, a community 95 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:49,520 Speaker 1: initiative that's been involved since the early stages of Denver's 96 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 1: pursuit of a pro women's soccer team, and of course, 97 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: the one hundred and ten million dollar expansion fee that 98 00:04:54,200 --> 00:04:56,720 Speaker 1: Denver was willing to play probably helped too that for 99 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: Denver FC group was instrumental in getting members of the 100 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 1: ownership group involved, like Rob Cohen, the chairman and CEO 101 00:05:02,440 --> 00:05:05,479 Speaker 1: of IMA Financial Group. Cohen's also a founding member of 102 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:08,800 Speaker 1: the US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation and has been involved in. 103 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 2: Denver sports for thirty years. 104 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,760 Speaker 1: His Denver Sports Commission has helped bring events like the 105 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 1: Women's Final Four, Men's hockey Frozen Four, and various pro 106 00:05:15,880 --> 00:05:17,640 Speaker 1: All Star games to the Denver area. 107 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 2: But this will be his first time owning a team. 108 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 2: He's got high hopes for the franchise. 109 00:05:22,440 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 1: In the league's release, he said, quote, we believe that 110 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: bringing NWSL to Denver will be impactful and transformative. Our 111 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 1: goal is to work closely with Denver's diverse communities to 112 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 1: build a club that will operate with integrity and excellence 113 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: from day one. We look forward to collaborating with our 114 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 1: community to make Denver NWSL an inclusive and special club 115 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 1: that all of Colorado. 116 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 2: Can rally behind. End quote. 117 00:05:42,400 --> 00:05:44,679 Speaker 1: The club plans to build a new stadium and training 118 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 1: facility for the team. Also worth noting that in the 119 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:51,480 Speaker 1: press conference announcing the Denver expansion team, NWSL Commissioner Jessica 120 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 1: Berman hinted that way more NWSL expansion could be on 121 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 1: the way. Quote the men's leagues that are in and 122 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: around thirty teams, we see no reason we can't be 123 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,680 Speaker 1: that size end quote, which you know, I have a 124 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 1: couple questions about that, but we'll save them for another time. 125 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 1: More ONWSL twenty twenty four. NWSL MVP tem Wa Chiwenga 126 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:14,119 Speaker 1: agreed to a three year contract extension with the Kansas 127 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 1: City Current this week. Stellar news for KC because Chiwenga 128 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 1: lit up the league in her first NWSL season and 129 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,000 Speaker 1: scored twenty one goals, becoming the first player in league 130 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:25,720 Speaker 1: history to eclipse twenty in a season and winning her 131 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:28,720 Speaker 1: the Golden Boot. She also set a record streak of 132 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:30,680 Speaker 1: eight straight matches with a goal and put one in 133 00:06:30,720 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 1: the back of the net against all thirteen NWSL teams 134 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:37,239 Speaker 1: in the regular season. Per a team press release, Tweinga said, quote, 135 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 1: this year, we hope to bring the trophy home for 136 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 1: the fans for KC. My team has been good to 137 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:43,719 Speaker 1: me and they treated me well last season. My teammates 138 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,120 Speaker 1: are kind, my coach is amazing and my KC community 139 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:47,880 Speaker 1: has been incredible all the support. 140 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 2: It feels like home here. 141 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,359 Speaker 1: That's why I decided to extend my contract with the 142 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 1: KC current end quote. Even more ONWSL, sisters Alyssa and 143 00:06:55,520 --> 00:06:58,320 Speaker 1: Giselle Thompson have both agreed to contract extensions with Angel 144 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:01,920 Speaker 1: City FC through twenty twenty. Forward Alyssa signed a three 145 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 1: year extension, while defender Giselle agreed to a two year deal. 146 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: Alyssa's are thirteen caps for the US women's national team 147 00:07:07,560 --> 00:07:10,160 Speaker 1: and was recently called up to the January national team camp. 148 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: More soccer movement and signings. Per Tom Gary of The Guardian, 149 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 1: Crystal Dunn is expected to have a physical with the 150 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: French club Paris cen Jerman later this week. That news 151 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: coming on the heels of the announcement that she's parting 152 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: ways with Gotham. Also, Brazilian player Adriana is on the 153 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 1: move after the Orlando Pride announced that it's transferred her 154 00:07:27,200 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: to the Saudi Women's Premier League for a transfer feed 155 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 1: that is among the top three in NWSL history. 156 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 2: Now I didn't know that Saudi. 157 00:07:33,680 --> 00:07:36,760 Speaker 1: Arabia had of women's Premier League, and now I have 158 00:07:36,800 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 1: a few more questions that we'll also wait for another 159 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: time to college Vibes, where it's the end of an era. 160 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,920 Speaker 1: On Wednesday, Nebraska volleyball coach John Cook announced he's retiring. 161 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 1: During his twenty five seasons with the Cornhuskers, he led 162 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 1: the team to four NCAA titles and a total of 163 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 1: twelve Final Four appearances. Cook also helped Nebraska elevate the 164 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 1: profile of women's volleyball. The team has sold out three 165 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:00,960 Speaker 1: hundred and thirty seven consecutive regular season home matches. That's 166 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 1: a streak dating back to two thousand and one. Last year, 167 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 1: the team set the women's sports record for biggest confirmed 168 00:08:06,400 --> 00:08:09,560 Speaker 1: attendance when ninety two thousand and three fans attended an 169 00:08:09,560 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 1: outdoor match between Nebraska and Omaha. Former Nebraska player and 170 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 1: assistant coach Danny bus Boom Kelly, who's been the head 171 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 1: coach at Louisville for the last eight seasons, is set 172 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 1: to take over the Nebraska program. 173 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:22,280 Speaker 2: We got a lot of Caitlin Clark news this week. 174 00:08:22,320 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 1: First ahead of her jersey retirement ceremony this weekend at Iowa. 175 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: Clark and her foundation are given twenty two thousand dollars 176 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: a piece to four Iowa organizations, the University of Iowa 177 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 1: Children's Hospital, Coralville Community Food Pantry, Boys and Girls Club 178 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 1: of the Corridor, and the East Central Region of Special 179 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:41,480 Speaker 1: Olympics Iowa. In a statement about the donations, Clark said 180 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 1: it's important for her to be connected with the Iowa community. 181 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:46,800 Speaker 1: Quote one of my favorite things about Iowa City is 182 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: the way the community is connected and how everyone supports 183 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:52,080 Speaker 1: each other end quote. Look At ahead to next month, 184 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 1: there was some speculation that Clark might participate in the 185 00:08:54,760 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 1: three point contest at MNBA All Star, just like Sabrina 186 00:08:58,360 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 1: and Escu did last year, competing against Steph Curry, but 187 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 1: Clark's representatives put an end to those rumors this week, 188 00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: telling ESPN that Clark wants her first three point contest 189 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:09,360 Speaker 1: to come at the WNBA All Star Weekend in Indianapolis 190 00:09:09,400 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 1: this summer. 191 00:09:10,280 --> 00:09:13,240 Speaker 2: While Clark is out, it is still possible that Yenescu 192 00:09:13,280 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 2: will be in. 193 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:16,440 Speaker 1: She told the Associated Press this month that she'll be 194 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 1: at the MNBA All Star Weekend, but declined to say 195 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:21,239 Speaker 1: whether she'll be taking part in any of the activities 196 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 1: now worth noting that Ynescu is one of the six 197 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 1: players not competing in the Unrivaled one on one tournament, 198 00:09:26,840 --> 00:09:29,640 Speaker 1: which is the same weekend as MNBA All Star. You 199 00:09:29,720 --> 00:09:31,679 Speaker 1: figure she wouldn't want to miss it unless she had 200 00:09:31,720 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: a good reason. 201 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:33,840 Speaker 2: Keep you updated on that. 202 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,040 Speaker 1: Finally, one last piece of Caitlin Clark news. The Fever 203 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,959 Speaker 1: announced that they'll play a pre season exhibition game against 204 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 1: the Brazilian national team at iowa's Carver Hawkeye Arena on 205 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 1: May fourth, So Clark will be back playing in the 206 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 1: arena that saw so many of her magical college moments. 207 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 1: Very cool to unrivaled basketball. We've got action tonight at 208 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 1: seven to fifteen pm Eastern Meish's ROSEBC takes on My 209 00:09:56,559 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 1: Phantom BC, with both squads looking for win number two 210 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:02,600 Speaker 1: of the season. Then it's the battle of the unbeatens 211 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:06,400 Speaker 1: Lunar owls BC and Lace's BC playing at a fifteen 212 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: Eastern or whenever the first game ends. You can catch 213 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: both those games on TNT. Finally, Hockey News. The top 214 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 1: fifteen college hockey teams in the country all hit the 215 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 1: ice tonight, headlined by number one Wisconsin facing number six 216 00:10:18,760 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 1: Minnesota Duluth and number two Ohio State playing number three Minnesota. 217 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:25,240 Speaker 1: Both of those get started at seven pm Eastern, and 218 00:10:25,280 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 1: we'll link to tonight's full schedule of games in our 219 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:27,960 Speaker 1: show notes. 220 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 2: Also shout out to the. 221 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:32,880 Speaker 1: Sixth rank Cornell squad, who just claimed its seventeenth Ivy 222 00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 1: League title LGR Plenty of p WHL action this weekend, 223 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:40,400 Speaker 1: including the league best Montreal Victoire visiting the New York 224 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 1: Sirens on Sunday. Victoire Superstarbarrifeleet Poulan just netted a hat 225 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 1: trick against Ottawa on Wednesday. She's the first p WHL 226 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 1: player in history to score two hat tricks. We'll put 227 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 1: the PWHL schedule in our show notes. We got to 228 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:57,839 Speaker 1: take a quick break when we come back. We caught 229 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:00,280 Speaker 1: up with Christina Williams yesterday to help us make of 230 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: a wild WNBA free agency window, joining us now the 231 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:13,360 Speaker 1: host of in Case you missed it right here on 232 00:11:13,400 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 1: Iheartwomen's Sports Network, a WNBA Insider, Women's hoops newsbreaker and 233 00:11:17,559 --> 00:11:20,440 Speaker 1: take Maker, and twenty twenty one Forbes thirty Under thirty 234 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: Sports honoree. She's done work for athletes unlimited, sn y 235 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: MSG Networks and founded had launched Girls Talk Sports TV. 236 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,120 Speaker 2: She loves a thigh high boot and a big furry jacket. 237 00:11:29,160 --> 00:11:31,200 Speaker 2: It's Christina Williams. What's up, Christina. 238 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 3: Hey, Sarah's good to be back and I love that. 239 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 3: I do love a good furco in THI So, I mean. 240 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:39,200 Speaker 2: That's clear from your insta. 241 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 1: So much to talk about as this wild WNBA free 242 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 1: agency stretch rolls on, I want to start by getting 243 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 1: your reaction to the moves that have already been made 244 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:48,920 Speaker 1: before we look at how they might affect some of 245 00:11:48,960 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 1: the big names that are still out there. 246 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,920 Speaker 2: So, Britney Griner to the Atlanta Dream eleven years her 247 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 2: whole career in Phoenix, why do you think now was 248 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:58,000 Speaker 2: the time that she wanted to test free agency? 249 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 3: I think that this move definitely maybe signals whether or 250 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:05,960 Speaker 3: not Diana Tarazzi plans on retiring after twenty plus seasons 251 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 3: with the Phoenix Mercury. I think that it could be 252 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 3: an end of an era for the Phoenix Mercury. So 253 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,079 Speaker 3: I think that now is the perfect time for a 254 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 3: player like Britney Brinder to go out and explore something different. 255 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,439 Speaker 3: Heard I at least have heard that she wanted out 256 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:21,480 Speaker 3: of Phoenix back in twenty twenty one, prior to being 257 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 3: detained in Russia, that she wanted to go play with 258 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:27,960 Speaker 3: Asian Wilson with the Las Vegas Aces, and that was 259 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 3: one of the teams that she spoke to during this 260 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 3: free agency period before ultimately landing with the Atlanta Dream. 261 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 3: And so I think that is a good thing for 262 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,720 Speaker 3: the Atlanta Dream as well. They just fired to be sure, 263 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,240 Speaker 3: right in the off season they had a fifteen to 264 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 3: twenty five record, And so I think that this is 265 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:45,840 Speaker 3: great for the end of the Dream to get a 266 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 3: defensive anchor in Brittany Briner, who is thirty four years 267 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:50,560 Speaker 3: old but still has a lot left to give to 268 00:12:50,640 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 3: the game. And so I think that this is a 269 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:55,199 Speaker 3: good fit for the Atlanta Dream to add an edition 270 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:55,959 Speaker 3: of Britney Brinder. 271 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, she's a ten time All Star, two time champ, 272 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:01,480 Speaker 1: eight time blocks later, and last year she still had 273 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: really good stats. She was putting up numbers. But I'm 274 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: curious about the fit in terms of style, slower paced 275 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: from Grinder. She really relies on post ups. Do you 276 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: think that's a fit with how the rest of this 277 00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:12,640 Speaker 1: Atlanta team thrives. 278 00:13:13,320 --> 00:13:16,480 Speaker 3: I mean, Carl, the coach who's newly highed, really said 279 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:20,640 Speaker 3: that he was looking for the outside game, the shooting 280 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:24,160 Speaker 3: but I think that she adds that defensive anchor when 281 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 3: we talk about defending the paint. And obviously Brittany Grind 282 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 3: is Britney Grind and she's gonna get a bucket word 283 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 3: no matter where she is. But then she's surrounded by 284 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:34,719 Speaker 3: guards like Jordan Canada, Alisha Gray, and so I think 285 00:13:34,760 --> 00:13:37,679 Speaker 3: that this is the perfect merits in terms of having 286 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:40,599 Speaker 3: versatility on the team and we talk about winning. She 287 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:44,640 Speaker 3: comes in with championship experience, She's won gold medals, she 288 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:46,199 Speaker 3: knows what it takes to win. So I think that 289 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 3: having that veteran presence is much needed. I know last season, 290 00:13:49,760 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 3: the Dream had Tina Charles on the team, and Tina 291 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 3: Charles did a great job with helping them get to 292 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:56,679 Speaker 3: the playoffs. But I think that you want to get 293 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 3: that extra push. I think that Brittany Grinder is the 294 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 3: player that you bring in with those guards and Ryan Howard, 295 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 3: she's next up in atl And so right now several 296 00:14:04,760 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 3: of those players are in unrivaled in Miami, and so 297 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 3: you know they're talking to each other, getting to know 298 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 3: one another, and I think that it would be a great. 299 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:15,240 Speaker 1: Bit fishing together. As we saw in the video where 300 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,880 Speaker 1: Britney announced where she was headed. Okay Grinder out Alyssa 301 00:14:18,960 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: Thomas in Thomas another superstar who spent her whole career 302 00:14:22,280 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 1: in one place. She was drafted by New York but 303 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 1: traded the same day to Connecticut. So she's been with 304 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 1: the Sun since day one. Why the move for at? 305 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:31,720 Speaker 3: I think that when we talk about the Connecticut Sun 306 00:14:31,880 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 3: and what the team has looked like this past six 307 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 3: years for the Sun, I think that their window to 308 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 3: winning a championship closed, and I think that that first 309 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 3: Domino started with John Paul Jones going to the New 310 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,480 Speaker 3: York Liberty when she was a free agent. And you know, 311 00:14:45,520 --> 00:14:48,640 Speaker 3: if you're to wanna bonn her, Alyssa Thomas, even Brianna Jones, 312 00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 3: you're looking at that like man, she left somewhere else 313 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 3: and won. And so I think that because that window 314 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 3: to winning a championship closed, Stephanie White is now coaching 315 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 3: with the Indiana Fever. I think it's time to break 316 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:01,720 Speaker 3: up the court and see what they can do and 317 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 3: how they can contribute on other teams. I think that 318 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:07,080 Speaker 3: one thing is important to note that as of today, 319 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:10,600 Speaker 3: there's no official trade that has been made that can't 320 00:15:10,640 --> 00:15:14,440 Speaker 3: happen until Saturday on February one, And so once that 321 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 3: trade is completed, Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and that number 322 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:20,880 Speaker 3: twelve pick is expected to be going to Connecticut. And 323 00:15:20,920 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 3: then Ty Harris is also included in that Elisa Thomas trade. 324 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 3: So if that trade were to be completed, I think 325 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 3: that it makes Connecticut better. They get a championship point guarded, 326 00:15:31,560 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 3: Natasha Cloud, a three and D shooter, and Rebecca Allen 327 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:37,400 Speaker 3: and the number twelve foot pick if they're looking to rebuild. 328 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 3: But then you look at the you look at the 329 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 3: Phoenix Mercury. Zawana Bonner is also a free agent tea 330 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 3: made a Melissa Thomas her fiance. She's played with the 331 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:50,640 Speaker 3: Mercury in twenty fourteen, won a championship with that team, 332 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 3: and this past season, if you all were paying attention, 333 00:15:53,920 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 3: Phoenix Mercury honored that twenty fourteen championship team and Juana 334 00:15:56,960 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 3: Barner was present for that and she talked about what 335 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:03,840 Speaker 3: it was like playing with Diana Torossi. So whether Diana's 336 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 3: Rossie looks to close the chapter, she comes back another 337 00:16:06,720 --> 00:16:09,400 Speaker 3: season and want to play with Dowana Bonner and try 338 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 3: to make another run for it. I think it'll be 339 00:16:11,240 --> 00:16:13,920 Speaker 3: interesting to pay attention to. But I think that this 340 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 3: trait is good for a Listen. We saw how vocal 341 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:18,400 Speaker 3: she was in the off season about wanting a play 342 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 3: for an organization that invest in their athletes. We see 343 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:23,720 Speaker 3: what Phoenix has done with their facilities that has been 344 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,920 Speaker 3: a big talking point for free agents in this offseason. 345 00:16:26,960 --> 00:16:29,360 Speaker 3: Go into teams where they invest in their athletes. So 346 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 3: I think that she'll be happy to be with Khalia Copper, 347 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:36,720 Speaker 3: who was also down unrivaled as well and pitching you 348 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:39,720 Speaker 3: know why why players should come to Phoenix, And I 349 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 3: think that'll be a good next chapter for Alyssa. 350 00:16:42,440 --> 00:16:44,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, we kind of joke about it, but that whole 351 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,240 Speaker 1: playing in a rec center and practicing next to kids, 352 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 1: you know, birthday parties might be something that Connecticut needs 353 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:52,480 Speaker 1: to look into as these players get spoiled and unrivaled 354 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 1: and see what's going on in these places that have 355 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 1: the newer facilities. 356 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 2: You know, it's interesting. 357 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 1: I've seen a lot of people grade Connectic get high 358 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,480 Speaker 1: on this trade and it feels like you're losing Alyssa 359 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:07,199 Speaker 1: Thomas and probably Dewanna Bonner as well. Like, is that 360 00:17:07,359 --> 00:17:09,520 Speaker 1: just more of a grading on a curve of like, 361 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:12,119 Speaker 1: if you're going to lose those people, at least do 362 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:15,760 Speaker 1: you get this talent and an opportunity to build, Because 363 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 1: to me, it feels like that's a loss. That's a loss, 364 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 1: like you're losing to one, probably two of these greats. 365 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean Alyssa Thomas has been an MVP type 366 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 3: candidate player for the last few seasons of her career 367 00:17:28,160 --> 00:17:31,720 Speaker 3: in Connecticut. This is someone who has helped lead Connecticut 368 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 3: to the semifinals multiple times, two finals. They have two 369 00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 3: trips to the finals her tenure with the Connecticut son 370 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:38,920 Speaker 3: And so I think that, yes, it's a huge loss. 371 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:42,040 Speaker 3: She's one of the star players of that franchise. Fans 372 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 3: loved Alyssa Thomas and what she was able to bring 373 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 3: to the franchise these several seasons. So I think that 374 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:48,840 Speaker 3: it is a huge loss. But then you gained so 375 00:17:48,960 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 3: much in having Natasha Cloud. She won a championship in 376 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:55,560 Speaker 3: twenty nineteen. Rebecca Allen is a hooper, like very good 377 00:17:55,560 --> 00:17:58,360 Speaker 3: asset when you talk about getting a player who likes 378 00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:00,679 Speaker 3: to shoot threes and play deep, and it's good on 379 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 3: both sides of the ball. So I think that Connecticut 380 00:18:03,359 --> 00:18:06,160 Speaker 3: if they are rebuilding. I mean, they get two good 381 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:10,160 Speaker 3: cornerstone players with experience with better experience, but I think 382 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:12,159 Speaker 3: it is a huge loss for the Connecticut side. I 383 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 3: do also want to note that some of the things 384 00:18:14,600 --> 00:18:18,199 Speaker 3: that I've been hearing regarding the Natasha Cloud situation, I 385 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,440 Speaker 3: spoke to multiple people in around the league that said 386 00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:23,600 Speaker 3: that it could be possible that maybe it's not done 387 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:28,119 Speaker 3: yet and there's a possibility that maybe she could be 388 00:18:28,160 --> 00:18:31,680 Speaker 3: traded to another team once this is complete. And I'm 389 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:34,639 Speaker 3: told that, you know, there isn't a grace period for 390 00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 3: when players are traded from another team. They can be 391 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:40,600 Speaker 3: traded again immediately, they just can't be traded back to 392 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:41,760 Speaker 3: the team that they came from. 393 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:42,800 Speaker 2: That's interesting. 394 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 1: We felt for Tosh because she posted that video like 395 00:18:46,040 --> 00:18:48,720 Speaker 1: hyping up the facilities, saying she'd never want to leave, 396 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 1: and as of now, the story is that she's headed 397 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: to Knedicut. But that's interesting that there might be another 398 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:57,280 Speaker 1: move still yet to come. If this trade goes through 399 00:18:57,320 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 1: as is, the Mercury will have just five players under 400 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 1: common track. They'll have to rely on free agency and 401 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:05,080 Speaker 1: look around to get some people to come for those 402 00:19:05,119 --> 00:19:07,880 Speaker 1: final six roster spots. It's a great get to get 403 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:11,000 Speaker 1: Alissa and sounds like maybe Duana's part of the deal. 404 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: But that's a lot of leaving that depth of the 405 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:15,360 Speaker 1: roster open for them. 406 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 3: I mean, there's still a lot of big names on 407 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:21,760 Speaker 3: the free agency market. There are rumors that Sasu Sabili 408 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:24,639 Speaker 3: has made Phoenix one of her top two choices, and 409 00:19:24,680 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 3: I know as of today there are a lot of 410 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:30,400 Speaker 3: teams waiting to see where she will go for determining 411 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:33,200 Speaker 3: what moves they will make. And so it was reported 412 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,560 Speaker 3: that Satsu Soabile has listed Phoenix and New York is 413 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:37,840 Speaker 3: her top two choices, and so I think that teams 414 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:39,760 Speaker 3: kind of are like holding out to see where she 415 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:42,399 Speaker 3: goes before other moves are made. And then also we 416 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,119 Speaker 3: were hearing that Maisha heinz Allen, who helped the Minnesota 417 00:19:45,200 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 3: Links when she was traded in the second half of 418 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 3: last season get to the finals, that she's also interested 419 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,119 Speaker 3: in Phoenix and Christy Tolliver is an assistant coach and 420 00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:56,439 Speaker 3: that team she's played with mayshis so that kind of 421 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,400 Speaker 3: makes sense that she would be interested in going there. 422 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 3: But it's a huge attraction free agents, right because they 423 00:20:01,440 --> 00:20:05,199 Speaker 3: have the facilities and resources. They have stars like Kullia 424 00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 3: Copper already signed, with rumors of Elisa Thomas being traded 425 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,960 Speaker 3: to the Phoenix Mercury, so they're definitely looking to rebuild. 426 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:15,199 Speaker 3: But they're adding a lot of veteran players who have 427 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:18,199 Speaker 3: experienced and who can help a team win now. So 428 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:21,120 Speaker 3: I think that that's what's attracting free agents to Phoenix. 429 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,840 Speaker 1: We're all loving seeing the photoshop pop back up of 430 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: Dowanna and Alyssa with dj A Carrington as their little 431 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:30,639 Speaker 1: baby swaddled in a blanket. Djna is a free agent, 432 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,439 Speaker 1: brie Jones is a free agent. Is there any chance 433 00:20:34,480 --> 00:20:36,240 Speaker 1: there on the move and they won't actually be part 434 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 1: of this Sun build? 435 00:20:37,800 --> 00:20:41,919 Speaker 3: Well, the difference between contracts. Brianna Jones is actually an 436 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 3: understricted free agent, so she's allowed to talk to any 437 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,679 Speaker 3: team that she wants during this period. Djna is a 438 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:50,719 Speaker 3: reserved free agent, so you know, if she decides to 439 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 3: talk to other teams or if she's interested in signing 440 00:20:52,720 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 3: to one of those teams. Obviously, Connecticut has the first 441 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:59,239 Speaker 3: rights and they can make match any offer, and from 442 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 3: what I know, has met with the Chicago's guy as 443 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:05,240 Speaker 3: one of the potential teams that is interested in talking 444 00:21:05,280 --> 00:21:08,159 Speaker 3: to her, and she's definitely made her case throughout the 445 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:12,440 Speaker 3: last season for attracting many different teams. And so I mean, 446 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:14,879 Speaker 3: we'll see what happens and keep our eyes close to 447 00:21:15,119 --> 00:21:17,360 Speaker 3: what happens with djmkre. 448 00:21:17,119 --> 00:21:21,160 Speaker 2: S breaking up a happy family. Let's talk Kelsey Plumb 449 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 2: in LA. 450 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: She is obviously a great get, but this speeds up 451 00:21:24,840 --> 00:21:27,479 Speaker 1: their rebuild instead of looking to the future. If they 452 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 1: had kept that number two draft pick and gotten someone 453 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:32,399 Speaker 1: like Olivia Miles from Notre Dame joining their young talent 454 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:35,639 Speaker 1: in Cameron Brink and Rakia Jackson, that's a totally different 455 00:21:35,840 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 1: outlook for the next couple of years than getting someone 456 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 1: like Kelsey who's still probably peak or about to be 457 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:43,200 Speaker 1: a little bit out of peak. 458 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:44,400 Speaker 2: Do you like this movie? 459 00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:45,920 Speaker 1: Would you prefer that they would have stuck with a 460 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:47,840 Speaker 1: slower built. 461 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:51,080 Speaker 3: I absolutely like this move for the Los Angeles Sparks. 462 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:53,080 Speaker 3: And so when we think about them giving up the 463 00:21:53,160 --> 00:21:55,639 Speaker 3: number two pick, when I think about the lottery in 464 00:21:55,720 --> 00:21:59,280 Speaker 3: twenty twenty six, it's based off a two year record 465 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 3: losing records. So the Sparks had, I mean last season 466 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 3: they had they finished eight and thirty two, not saying 467 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 3: that they will have a losing record this upcoming season, 468 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,480 Speaker 3: but they'll most likely still be in the lottery, I 469 00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 3: think in twenty twenty six. But I think that she 470 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:15,399 Speaker 3: adds that veteran presence at the guard position that's needed. 471 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 3: You have Cameron Brink who will be coming back off 472 00:22:17,960 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 3: of an injury, for Kia Jackson, who definitely plays so 473 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:23,639 Speaker 3: well in her rookie season, into Yerka Handy. This is 474 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:27,120 Speaker 3: a very solid starting lineup I think for the Los 475 00:22:27,119 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 3: Angeles Sparks. It was rumored that Kelsey Plumb actually wanted 476 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 3: to go to the Sparks. That was her first choice 477 00:22:32,359 --> 00:22:34,280 Speaker 3: in terms of teams she wanted to play for. She 478 00:22:34,440 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 3: wasn't pushed out by the Las Vegas Aces, just wanted 479 00:22:37,480 --> 00:22:40,119 Speaker 3: a fresh start, And to my understanding, I've heard from 480 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:42,960 Speaker 3: multiple people that she's planning to stay there beyond twenty 481 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:44,000 Speaker 3: twenty five, so we. 482 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 1: Know that just a one year deal, So that'd be 483 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 1: good for them if she plans to stay and be 484 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,560 Speaker 1: a part of it. As they and honestly, they've been 485 00:22:50,600 --> 00:22:52,920 Speaker 1: losing a lot, you almost can't blame them for wanting 486 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:54,919 Speaker 1: to go and get a big name player that's going 487 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:57,360 Speaker 1: to help them win some games now, instead of continuing 488 00:22:57,400 --> 00:23:00,200 Speaker 1: to be on this slower path towards using their young 489 00:23:00,200 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 1: stars and getting better. 490 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:05,360 Speaker 2: Same deal sent Jewel Lloyd to Vegas. 491 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:09,040 Speaker 1: I've been finding it fascinating watching a bunch of analysts 492 00:23:09,040 --> 00:23:11,560 Speaker 1: seem to be torn on whether Lloyd is an upgrade, 493 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:14,920 Speaker 1: a downgrade, or a sort of apples to Apple's replacement 494 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:16,879 Speaker 1: for Plumb when it comes to talent, Where do you 495 00:23:16,920 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: fall in that argument? 496 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 3: Oh, that's a good question, Sarah. You put me on 497 00:23:21,240 --> 00:23:24,200 Speaker 3: the spot. I mean, Jewel Lloyd is ju Loyd. She's 498 00:23:24,240 --> 00:23:27,879 Speaker 3: won multiple championships with the Seattle Storm. She held a 499 00:23:27,960 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 3: scoring record in twenty twenty three. I think that we 500 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 3: can't judge her based off her twenty twenty four season, 501 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:35,480 Speaker 3: but I do think that the writing was on the 502 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:38,119 Speaker 3: wall in terms of her tenure with Seattle after the 503 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:42,200 Speaker 3: reports of alleging the harassment and bullying from the coaching staff. 504 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:44,399 Speaker 3: I think that once that happened, it was clear that 505 00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:46,399 Speaker 3: she did not want to stay there and wanted to 506 00:23:46,440 --> 00:23:49,880 Speaker 3: start fresh. And I had heard that Jewel Lloyd wanted 507 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:51,959 Speaker 3: to play with the Aces as early as twenty twenty one. 508 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,120 Speaker 3: I remember a free agency hearing that, and so it's 509 00:23:55,119 --> 00:23:57,160 Speaker 3: good to see her team up again with her Team 510 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:02,159 Speaker 3: USA teammates and Asia Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. Again, 511 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 3: a lot of these teams and free agents are looking 512 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,640 Speaker 3: at veteran players. We see that pattern happening throughout all 513 00:24:07,680 --> 00:24:10,400 Speaker 3: of these signings and trades. The teams want to get 514 00:24:10,400 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 3: players with experience, and so I think that if you 515 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:15,760 Speaker 3: add a player like Juloyd to the two time champions 516 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,000 Speaker 3: in the Las Vegas Aces, it makes them stronger. I 517 00:24:19,040 --> 00:24:23,120 Speaker 3: think I think that is definitely an upgrade for sure. Yeah. 518 00:24:23,160 --> 00:24:25,000 Speaker 1: I mean, it is so hard to judge a player 519 00:24:25,040 --> 00:24:27,280 Speaker 1: solely about the situation that they're in her numbers last 520 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:29,399 Speaker 1: year trying to fit in with neck Ogoo, McKay and Skyler, 521 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 1: Digg and Smith. 522 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:31,560 Speaker 2: We're kind of misleading to me. 523 00:24:31,640 --> 00:24:34,360 Speaker 1: She was also unhappy, So I'm not looking at last 524 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 1: year and saying that's who Jewel Lloyd is. I'm a 525 00:24:36,760 --> 00:24:39,200 Speaker 1: big Jewellloyd fan. I think she's a super talented player. 526 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,119 Speaker 1: So I was surprised by those who thought it was 527 00:24:41,160 --> 00:24:43,760 Speaker 1: a big downgrade from Kelsey. There are differences, for sure, 528 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 1: but I think you could argue sometimes that Jewel is 529 00:24:46,200 --> 00:24:47,960 Speaker 1: a better player and brings more to the table, so 530 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,600 Speaker 1: it'll be interesting to see how they both operate in 531 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:53,199 Speaker 1: their new teams. What are the Seattle Storms chances to 532 00:24:53,200 --> 00:24:55,520 Speaker 1: get pagebackers. We know that they got the number two 533 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:58,320 Speaker 1: pick in the deal. Dallas Wings have the number one 534 00:24:58,400 --> 00:24:59,919 Speaker 1: pick that everyone presumes we'll go to pay. 535 00:25:00,560 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 2: But there's this scenario out there. 536 00:25:02,200 --> 00:25:04,800 Speaker 1: Where people see Page threatening to go back for an 537 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:07,560 Speaker 1: eleventieth year of college instead of having to go to Dallas, 538 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:10,520 Speaker 1: and if Dallas knows that they might lose her if 539 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:12,879 Speaker 1: they believe that bluff, which would feel like a bluff 540 00:25:12,920 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 1: at this point, no one really thinks Page wants to 541 00:25:14,840 --> 00:25:17,399 Speaker 1: go back again. But if they believe that bluff, they 542 00:25:17,400 --> 00:25:20,120 Speaker 1: could get the Storm's number two pick and some assets 543 00:25:20,119 --> 00:25:22,520 Speaker 1: from them to get the second best player, probably Olivia 544 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,280 Speaker 1: Miles as opposed to losing out. What are the real 545 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:27,600 Speaker 1: chances of that happening? Because it feels like the Storm 546 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:29,679 Speaker 1: would be a good landing place for Page with the 547 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:32,080 Speaker 1: new facilities, with the ties to super Bird with teammate 548 00:25:32,160 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 1: Nika Mule. 549 00:25:33,280 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 3: So that's a very interesting question, and I just want 550 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:39,200 Speaker 3: to know where that room was starting a Page not 551 00:25:39,240 --> 00:25:41,439 Speaker 3: wanting to go to Dallas, had. 552 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:43,120 Speaker 2: I think we all just decided it for her. 553 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:45,679 Speaker 1: Literally, I think like the world was like, ah, we 554 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,480 Speaker 1: would rather that she went to the Spark, So we're 555 00:25:47,520 --> 00:25:48,040 Speaker 1: sad about this. 556 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:50,760 Speaker 2: Oh the Storm, that's better, let's go there, right. 557 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 3: So it's very interesting because I don't see any scenarios 558 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 3: where the Dallas Wings would want to give up the 559 00:25:58,119 --> 00:26:00,080 Speaker 3: number one pick, right. And I think that when it 560 00:26:00,119 --> 00:26:02,680 Speaker 3: comes to the w NBA Draft and you look at 561 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:06,639 Speaker 3: the salary for the rookie scale contracts, it's very different 562 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:08,320 Speaker 3: from the NBA in a sense of there's not a 563 00:26:08,359 --> 00:26:10,720 Speaker 3: real incentive for going one, two, three, or four in 564 00:26:10,800 --> 00:26:13,120 Speaker 3: terms of the difference of money that you will make. 565 00:26:13,440 --> 00:26:16,040 Speaker 3: And so I think that teams. I had Chris Coklanis 566 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:19,320 Speaker 3: on my show recently and he talked about drafting the 567 00:26:19,400 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 3: best available player versus, you know, just maybe a top 568 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:25,240 Speaker 3: player that people think should go number one. So I 569 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:27,680 Speaker 3: think that teams will do what's best for them when 570 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:31,400 Speaker 3: it comes to this year's draft, And so maybe Dallas 571 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,840 Speaker 3: won't even choose her number one and she'll still be 572 00:26:33,880 --> 00:26:34,760 Speaker 3: available at two. 573 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:36,640 Speaker 2: That would be wild. It would by the way. 574 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:38,600 Speaker 1: Chris crow klan as the head coach of the Dallas 575 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:41,920 Speaker 1: Wings just named this offseason for those who don't remember. 576 00:26:42,000 --> 00:26:44,800 Speaker 3: It would be But I think that, you know, like 577 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:47,440 Speaker 3: I said, there isn't a real incentive of whether you're one, two, three, 578 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:49,880 Speaker 3: or four in the WNBA draft as of now until 579 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:51,720 Speaker 3: maybe the new CPA comes. 580 00:26:51,560 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 1: Right, But it still feels like, I don't know, for 581 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:56,120 Speaker 1: a franchise as great as Olivia Miles is, and maybe 582 00:26:56,119 --> 00:26:58,440 Speaker 1: they see a higher upside to her or someone else, 583 00:26:58,480 --> 00:27:04,040 Speaker 1: but the amount of eyeballs, attention, merch tickets like Page 584 00:27:04,080 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 1: brings with her. I just went to see Page against 585 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:10,880 Speaker 1: Apaul here in Chicago this week, and we're nowhere near Connecticut, 586 00:27:11,119 --> 00:27:15,880 Speaker 1: and the number of Jerseys shirts, flags, posters, an entire 587 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:17,920 Speaker 1: section of people waiting after the game just to get 588 00:27:17,960 --> 00:27:20,399 Speaker 1: to talk to Paige like that kind of impact is 589 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:22,040 Speaker 1: hard to turn away from. 590 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 3: Absolutely, Paige is no doubt going to be a generational 591 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:26,840 Speaker 3: player in the WNBA. And I'm not saying that the 592 00:27:26,880 --> 00:27:29,560 Speaker 3: Dallas Wings well draft her. They're not interested in drafting her. 593 00:27:29,680 --> 00:27:31,720 Speaker 3: I'm just trying to figure out where the rooms started 594 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:34,040 Speaker 3: that she did not want to play for Dallas. We 595 00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:35,920 Speaker 3: haven't heard that come out of her mouth, at least 596 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:38,560 Speaker 3: not yet. I haven't heard it come from any of 597 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,560 Speaker 3: her camps or reps, because she doesn't want to play 598 00:27:41,560 --> 00:27:43,240 Speaker 3: for Dallas. But I think it makes the most sense 599 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:45,439 Speaker 3: when we think about the fandomber around the WNBA and 600 00:27:46,000 --> 00:27:49,280 Speaker 3: the story of her possibly going to Seattle and playing now. 601 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:52,280 Speaker 3: I think that Kurt Miller, who is currently the general 602 00:27:52,359 --> 00:27:54,880 Speaker 3: manager of the Dallas Wings, he's going to do what's 603 00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:58,720 Speaker 3: best for the franchise. And if they lose that too Sobbly, obviously, 604 00:27:58,760 --> 00:28:00,920 Speaker 3: that's going to take a huge blok for them in 605 00:28:01,040 --> 00:28:04,320 Speaker 3: free agency. And I just think about what they want 606 00:28:04,359 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 3: to do in terms of the strategy Iriqab. She's gonna 607 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 3: need someone to play alongside her, and I think that 608 00:28:09,880 --> 00:28:12,440 Speaker 3: a star like Page Beckers would be a good fit. 609 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:15,840 Speaker 3: But I think fans are locked in wanting to hear 610 00:28:15,920 --> 00:28:18,040 Speaker 3: her play on a West coast. I get it, I 611 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:18,439 Speaker 3: get it. 612 00:28:19,640 --> 00:28:20,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, all right. 613 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:24,199 Speaker 1: Courtney vander Slute not finalized yet, but according to her 614 00:28:24,240 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 1: Instagram bio and rumors of the trade are rumors of 615 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:30,560 Speaker 1: a decision to be back in Chicago. She averaged six 616 00:28:30,600 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 1: point four points four point eight assists per game last year. 617 00:28:33,080 --> 00:28:34,879 Speaker 1: She had a reduced role for the Liberty That was 618 00:28:34,920 --> 00:28:37,639 Speaker 1: in part due to personnel and also due to unfortunately 619 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:40,040 Speaker 1: the death of her mom, but help their championship run 620 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:42,760 Speaker 1: coming off the bench. I love to have her back. 621 00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:47,080 Speaker 1: I love Slute, but this is about the contract for me. 622 00:28:47,480 --> 00:28:49,800 Speaker 1: Are they paying her for now as opposed to paying 623 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:51,440 Speaker 1: her for the years she spent with the team at 624 00:28:51,440 --> 00:28:53,560 Speaker 1: her prime. What do you make of this and how 625 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:55,360 Speaker 1: much of whether this is a good deal or not 626 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:57,480 Speaker 1: to you is based on what kind of money they're giving. 627 00:28:57,920 --> 00:29:00,200 Speaker 3: I think that when you have a player like Ordey 628 00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 3: van Deslout, who's a proven winner, one of the top 629 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:05,640 Speaker 3: in WNBA history in terms of her league assistant, what 630 00:29:05,680 --> 00:29:07,960 Speaker 3: she contributes to the game, and what she'll bring to 631 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:10,560 Speaker 3: that young core in the Chicago scot you pay her 632 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:12,960 Speaker 3: what she's worth. I think that she will make an 633 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:16,280 Speaker 3: immediate impact on this team. Firstly because the art of 634 00:29:16,360 --> 00:29:19,959 Speaker 3: post entry passing from point guards is absolutely lost and 635 00:29:20,040 --> 00:29:22,040 Speaker 3: she's one. She's one of the last of a dying 636 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:25,400 Speaker 3: three you had. We talked about how you know Courtney 637 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:27,560 Speaker 3: ands to like top the top when it came to that, 638 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:30,239 Speaker 3: and I think that when it comes to just the 639 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:32,880 Speaker 3: offense that Tyler Masch wants to run, you want to 640 00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:34,760 Speaker 3: play her like Cordy Vandersloot, and you want to pay 641 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:37,040 Speaker 3: her what she's worth. She was part of that championship 642 00:29:37,040 --> 00:29:40,080 Speaker 3: team that brought the first championship and franchise history to 643 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:42,720 Speaker 3: the Sky, and so I think that at this point 644 00:29:42,760 --> 00:29:45,800 Speaker 3: in her career she deserves it. Obviously, I'm gonna miscover 645 00:29:45,840 --> 00:29:48,640 Speaker 3: in her in New York City. You know, her agent 646 00:29:48,720 --> 00:29:51,360 Speaker 3: confirmed with me that she in fact is expected to 647 00:29:51,400 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 3: sign on Saturday to the Chicago Scotts. So it's pretty 648 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:57,480 Speaker 3: much going to happen. It's sad to see her leave 649 00:29:57,560 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 3: New York, but you know, I love this year going 650 00:30:00,600 --> 00:30:01,080 Speaker 3: back home. 651 00:30:01,280 --> 00:30:04,240 Speaker 1: Ali Quigley kind of irish, goodbye the whole WNBA. She 652 00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 1: was just back at speaking of DePaul. She was just 653 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:09,239 Speaker 1: there getting honored there. So she does exist. She is 654 00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 1: still around, but she never really said like, hey, I'm 655 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:15,840 Speaker 1: out of here. She just took a break and the 656 00:30:15,880 --> 00:30:18,640 Speaker 1: break continues. Do we have any word on whether we 657 00:30:18,720 --> 00:30:21,760 Speaker 1: might get wifies reunited and we get vander Quiggs and 658 00:30:21,760 --> 00:30:23,520 Speaker 1: I can start wearing that shirt again that's hiding in 659 00:30:23,520 --> 00:30:24,000 Speaker 1: my closet. 660 00:30:24,960 --> 00:30:27,800 Speaker 3: From what I know, the Chicago's guy's definitely looking for 661 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:31,360 Speaker 3: a veteran shooting guard and so if I'm jeff in Ty, 662 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:35,360 Speaker 3: I'm like, listen, what will it take to get Alli 663 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:39,760 Speaker 3: back in a uniform? I did see Alliet unwible that 664 00:30:39,880 --> 00:30:43,000 Speaker 3: she looks happy and relaxed. So I don't know, damn 665 00:30:43,080 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 3: we want to come back there. But I mean, Chicago 666 00:30:48,200 --> 00:30:50,720 Speaker 3: is looking to feel the roster with a veteran shooting guard, 667 00:30:50,760 --> 00:30:53,040 Speaker 3: and I do know that they will make that number 668 00:30:53,080 --> 00:30:56,400 Speaker 3: three pick available if the right player were to come along, 669 00:30:56,680 --> 00:30:59,440 Speaker 3: And so I think that we just stay tuned. I 670 00:30:59,480 --> 00:31:01,560 Speaker 3: don't know we will come back, but I do think 671 00:31:01,560 --> 00:31:03,560 Speaker 3: that there's a lot of other guards on the market 672 00:31:03,560 --> 00:31:06,520 Speaker 3: that we can assess and that will make an impact 673 00:31:06,560 --> 00:31:07,800 Speaker 3: on the Chicago Sky roster. 674 00:31:08,520 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 1: Let's talk about the rest of the market. Satu nek Oguma, Kay, Kennedy, Carter. 675 00:31:12,920 --> 00:31:14,880 Speaker 1: There's some interesting names out there that we don't know 676 00:31:14,960 --> 00:31:17,040 Speaker 1: yet exactly where they're headed or if they're sticking. 677 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:19,400 Speaker 2: Where they are. What do you got? What are your 678 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:21,080 Speaker 2: predictions for some landing spots. 679 00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:24,800 Speaker 3: A lot of these decisions are being held up based 680 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:28,320 Speaker 3: off where Satu Sabili will land, and then teams will 681 00:31:28,320 --> 00:31:30,880 Speaker 3: start to fill their roster with role players. I am 682 00:31:30,920 --> 00:31:33,680 Speaker 3: hearing a lot of positive things about Kennedy Carter that 683 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:37,400 Speaker 3: multiple teams are interested in signing her. But again, a 684 00:31:37,440 --> 00:31:39,760 Speaker 3: lot of these things are potentent on where Satu Sabili 685 00:31:39,840 --> 00:31:43,000 Speaker 3: will land and how that will change the landscape of 686 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:45,760 Speaker 3: different teams, and so I think that we just stay tuned. 687 00:31:46,040 --> 00:31:48,920 Speaker 3: Tiffany Mitchell is the player that I'm also looking at. 688 00:31:49,520 --> 00:31:53,000 Speaker 3: She contributed for Connecticut last season and then she had 689 00:31:53,040 --> 00:31:55,520 Speaker 3: a little bit of health issues, but she's someone who 690 00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:57,840 Speaker 3: can still contribute I think the indianaf who will still 691 00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:01,360 Speaker 3: make new moves as well. Natasha Howard is a player 692 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:05,400 Speaker 3: that no one is talking about. She's won three championships. 693 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:08,400 Speaker 3: She can contribute as a big on any team and 694 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:11,920 Speaker 3: immediately make them contend for a championship. We are hearing obviously. 695 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:15,400 Speaker 3: Chyenne Parker's higas has talked to the Las Vegas Aces, 696 00:32:15,440 --> 00:32:17,160 Speaker 3: and I think that she will fit well into that 697 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:20,240 Speaker 3: system if they want to run moving forward. I think 698 00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:24,080 Speaker 3: that because Brittany Grinder signed to the Atlanta Dream is 699 00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:26,080 Speaker 3: kind of hinting that maybe they don't have the cap 700 00:32:26,120 --> 00:32:29,080 Speaker 3: space to keep an all star player like Chyenne, so 701 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:32,840 Speaker 3: maybe she signs to Vegas. So yeah, we'll just keep 702 00:32:32,880 --> 00:32:34,560 Speaker 3: our eyes on it. But A lot of this depends 703 00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:36,000 Speaker 3: on where how to Sabily goes. 704 00:32:36,800 --> 00:32:39,120 Speaker 1: I haven't heard anything about nechA wanting to leave right 705 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:41,240 Speaker 1: as it sort of assumed that she'll stay in Seattle, 706 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:44,280 Speaker 1: the same way Briannatt Stewart has not officially signed because 707 00:32:44,280 --> 00:32:46,360 Speaker 1: she can't yet, but says she'll come back to the Liberty. 708 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 3: I expect Necao McKay at least to still be a 709 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:53,840 Speaker 3: member of the Seattle Storm. I had on my show 710 00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:57,520 Speaker 3: last November, and she talked about really just being happy 711 00:32:57,520 --> 00:33:01,400 Speaker 3: in Seattle and just the positive them having the resources 712 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:05,040 Speaker 3: and facilities. I know that she attended unrivaled and kind 713 00:33:05,040 --> 00:33:06,920 Speaker 3: of stare in the audience with some of the Seattle 714 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:10,800 Speaker 3: personnel and supporting scholar. You're digging Smith and so I 715 00:33:10,800 --> 00:33:14,240 Speaker 3: think that she's comfortable in Seattle, and I could see 716 00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:17,040 Speaker 3: her potentially going back to Seattle in twenty twenty five. 717 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:20,600 Speaker 1: How is the renegotiating of the CBA going to affect 718 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:22,160 Speaker 1: all these deals, because there are a lot of players 719 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:24,160 Speaker 1: that might want to re enter the free agency market 720 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:26,800 Speaker 1: next season with more money to be duled out. More 721 00:33:26,800 --> 00:33:29,800 Speaker 1: than sixty players who ended the twenty twenty four season 722 00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:32,480 Speaker 1: on a roster expected to be free agents next year. 723 00:33:33,280 --> 00:33:36,000 Speaker 1: Are we going to have an even wilder WNBA free 724 00:33:36,000 --> 00:33:38,920 Speaker 1: agency next season? And do you expect some of these 725 00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:40,880 Speaker 1: deals we're seeing now to end up being short so 726 00:33:40,920 --> 00:33:42,800 Speaker 1: that they can get right back out on the market. 727 00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:45,320 Speaker 3: I mean, as of right now, a lot of players 728 00:33:45,400 --> 00:33:48,120 Speaker 3: have not signed beyond twenty twenty five because of the 729 00:33:48,160 --> 00:33:51,920 Speaker 3: new CBA and just anticipating one. Maybe the players can 730 00:33:51,960 --> 00:33:55,400 Speaker 3: negotiate the salary cap to be removed, a hard salary cap, 731 00:33:55,440 --> 00:33:59,440 Speaker 3: so that mid tier players can get more money, rookies 732 00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:01,760 Speaker 3: can get more money, and the supermask can be increased. 733 00:34:01,840 --> 00:34:04,640 Speaker 3: I think that from this last CBA we've seen how 734 00:34:05,840 --> 00:34:08,440 Speaker 3: it impacted the mid tier players the most. How players 735 00:34:08,440 --> 00:34:12,480 Speaker 3: like obviously Sims didn't have a real deal, players that 736 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:15,520 Speaker 3: can make immedia impact role players were impacted by the 737 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:18,160 Speaker 3: last CBA where teams were not just able to sign 738 00:34:18,200 --> 00:34:20,239 Speaker 3: them because they simply could not because of the hardt 739 00:34:20,239 --> 00:34:22,759 Speaker 3: salary cap and just all of the restrictions. And so 740 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:26,319 Speaker 3: if it's lifted, I expect players to yea opt out 741 00:34:26,360 --> 00:34:30,080 Speaker 3: of their contracts and hit the free agency market again 742 00:34:30,120 --> 00:34:32,120 Speaker 3: in twenty twenty six. There's also going to be a 743 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:35,000 Speaker 3: fourteenth team added to the WIMPs of that. It's going 744 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:38,120 Speaker 3: to be super interesting. But when I look at twenty 745 00:34:38,160 --> 00:34:41,000 Speaker 3: twenty six is definitely going to be insane. How many 746 00:34:41,080 --> 00:34:42,520 Speaker 3: free agents are on the market. 747 00:34:43,000 --> 00:34:43,799 Speaker 2: Ooh, you got me? 748 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:45,520 Speaker 1: Okay, that was me my last question, but you just 749 00:34:45,520 --> 00:34:50,040 Speaker 1: made me remember the frickin' Valkyries. Is my pipe dream 750 00:34:50,080 --> 00:34:53,880 Speaker 1: of Elena Deldon being in Valkyries Lilac totally not happening. 751 00:34:54,400 --> 00:34:57,080 Speaker 3: I have nothing on a deledon. I'm gonna be honest. 752 00:34:57,640 --> 00:34:59,759 Speaker 3: We know that she was core by the Mystics last 753 00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:04,080 Speaker 3: seas in and decided to sit out, but I haven't 754 00:35:04,080 --> 00:35:07,680 Speaker 3: heard any reports in terms of her wanting to play 755 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:10,800 Speaker 3: for the Golden State Valkyries. I haven't even heard anything 756 00:35:11,120 --> 00:35:14,640 Speaker 3: as of late of her returning to the WNBA, But 757 00:35:15,360 --> 00:35:18,080 Speaker 3: we'll see. We'll keep our eyes on her. Obviously, she 758 00:35:18,200 --> 00:35:21,560 Speaker 3: had some health issues in the season prior to last season, 759 00:35:21,760 --> 00:35:23,880 Speaker 3: and that was one of the reasons we heard that 760 00:35:23,920 --> 00:35:26,440 Speaker 3: the Las Vegas ass did not sign her free agency, 761 00:35:26,880 --> 00:35:30,120 Speaker 3: and so we'll just see how much he's progressed and 762 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:32,760 Speaker 3: if she wants to even play and return to the WNBA. 763 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:35,719 Speaker 1: What about Satu or someone to the Valkyries. They've got 764 00:35:35,800 --> 00:35:38,600 Speaker 1: the most capraman in the league. They've only technically got 765 00:35:38,600 --> 00:35:42,800 Speaker 1: three players under contract after that draft, Like, it doesn't 766 00:35:42,880 --> 00:35:46,040 Speaker 1: seem possible that they're sticking with just who they've got 767 00:35:46,080 --> 00:35:48,160 Speaker 1: right now from the expansion Draft and trying to roll 768 00:35:48,200 --> 00:35:49,239 Speaker 1: that out and compete. 769 00:35:49,719 --> 00:35:51,759 Speaker 3: I listen, I agree with you, Sarah. I feel like 770 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:54,600 Speaker 3: this is a team with a lot of assets. We 771 00:35:54,680 --> 00:35:58,160 Speaker 3: talk about the players that they've signed, with the experience 772 00:35:58,160 --> 00:36:00,879 Speaker 3: that they have. They definitely are going to look into 773 00:36:00,920 --> 00:36:04,440 Speaker 3: the agency and then assess the trade market. We talk 774 00:36:04,480 --> 00:36:07,560 Speaker 3: about what's left over. A lot of teams that I've 775 00:36:07,600 --> 00:36:09,839 Speaker 3: talked to, at least in the last week, are talking 776 00:36:09,840 --> 00:36:13,839 Speaker 3: about assessing the trade market. So beyond February one, there 777 00:36:13,880 --> 00:36:16,640 Speaker 3: will be moves made. Like it's not the end all 778 00:36:16,239 --> 00:36:19,120 Speaker 3: be all in terms of free agency. On February one, 779 00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:21,480 Speaker 3: I think that you know, the bigger names will see 780 00:36:21,680 --> 00:36:24,080 Speaker 3: you know, most likely signed your contracts. But then teams 781 00:36:24,080 --> 00:36:28,400 Speaker 3: will also be making moves up until March so and 782 00:36:28,480 --> 00:36:31,640 Speaker 3: then and then also using their draft picks as well 783 00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:35,320 Speaker 3: as assets. So I think that will continue to see moves. 784 00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:37,359 Speaker 3: I think that a lot of people are not talking 785 00:36:37,400 --> 00:36:39,279 Speaker 3: about m Mesman, and that was one of the things 786 00:36:39,280 --> 00:36:41,560 Speaker 3: I also wanted to bring up with Connecticut. There were 787 00:36:41,640 --> 00:36:44,680 Speaker 3: rumors that she was to play after the Olympics last year, 788 00:36:45,120 --> 00:36:50,040 Speaker 3: and now her Belgium head coach, Rashid Mesim, he's coaching 789 00:36:50,080 --> 00:36:53,040 Speaker 3: in Connecticut. Can he convince her to come back stateside 790 00:36:53,760 --> 00:36:55,640 Speaker 3: in twenty twenty five to play for the Sun I 791 00:36:55,680 --> 00:36:59,120 Speaker 3: think that that. I mean, that's some of the things 792 00:36:59,120 --> 00:37:01,400 Speaker 3: I'm thinking about reporting it or anything. But I'm just 793 00:37:01,440 --> 00:37:04,759 Speaker 3: thinking about could I'm Lisa men come back and play 794 00:37:04,840 --> 00:37:08,880 Speaker 3: for her Belgium head coach in the WNBA, especially with 795 00:37:08,960 --> 00:37:11,920 Speaker 3: the new changes in the CPA and all the projections 796 00:37:11,920 --> 00:37:13,880 Speaker 3: for next next year as well. So those are the 797 00:37:13,880 --> 00:37:15,839 Speaker 3: things that I'm going to be thinking about. And then 798 00:37:15,840 --> 00:37:20,879 Speaker 3: obviously the New York Liberty the defending champions, so it's 799 00:37:20,880 --> 00:37:23,360 Speaker 3: gonna be interesting to see what moves they made. Many 800 00:37:23,440 --> 00:37:25,960 Speaker 3: van der Slut who you know, she took him a 801 00:37:26,080 --> 00:37:28,040 Speaker 3: juice role, but you know she helped them win a 802 00:37:28,120 --> 00:37:30,480 Speaker 3: championship at the end of the day, and how do 803 00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:32,919 Speaker 3: you feel that void? I can see the New York 804 00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:37,520 Speaker 3: Liberty wanting to continue to develop players like Leoni Biebach, 805 00:37:37,880 --> 00:37:41,799 Speaker 3: maybe bring back Kennedy Burke, and then working with what 806 00:37:41,840 --> 00:37:44,680 Speaker 3: they have in the core five, said Brinny Andescu, Finazie 807 00:37:44,719 --> 00:37:49,359 Speaker 3: Lany Hamilton, Leoni Pievich, Branda Stewart, John Paul Jones, who 808 00:37:49,560 --> 00:37:53,360 Speaker 3: was obviously the finals MVP for that championship run. So 809 00:37:53,800 --> 00:37:56,160 Speaker 3: I think that the Liberty will get better. For Becca 810 00:37:56,239 --> 00:37:59,319 Speaker 3: Gardner's especially is expected to come back. She was gone 811 00:37:59,360 --> 00:38:02,520 Speaker 3: for a whole year with an injury. Marine Johannes, We'll 812 00:38:02,520 --> 00:38:05,000 Speaker 3: be back as well. So they definitely have I think 813 00:38:05,640 --> 00:38:09,120 Speaker 3: in terms of continuity the most solid team in the league, 814 00:38:09,239 --> 00:38:12,080 Speaker 3: and teams are trying to figure out ways to beat 815 00:38:12,120 --> 00:38:13,640 Speaker 3: the New York Liberty at this point. 816 00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:16,240 Speaker 1: Well, we're sure having fun watching them figure that out 817 00:38:16,280 --> 00:38:18,600 Speaker 1: and making these moves, and we're looking forward to when 818 00:38:18,600 --> 00:38:21,760 Speaker 1: they'll be official. But like you said, movement can still 819 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:23,959 Speaker 1: happen after that, lots of trades and these things still 820 00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:26,160 Speaker 1: yet to come. Thanks so much for helping us sort 821 00:38:26,160 --> 00:38:26,600 Speaker 1: all this out. 822 00:38:26,640 --> 00:38:28,040 Speaker 2: We really appreciate it, Christina. 823 00:38:28,160 --> 00:38:30,400 Speaker 3: Thank you. Sarah always want to be here with you. 824 00:38:32,560 --> 00:38:35,680 Speaker 1: Thanks again to Christina for joining us. And wow, I 825 00:38:35,719 --> 00:38:39,000 Speaker 1: can't believe that giant move that just happened after the 826 00:38:39,080 --> 00:38:43,560 Speaker 1: interview that we'll talk about on Monday. Yeah, we got 827 00:38:43,560 --> 00:38:45,600 Speaker 1: to take another break when we come back. Times running 828 00:38:45,640 --> 00:38:47,719 Speaker 1: out better get in well the getting's good. 829 00:38:57,360 --> 00:38:58,399 Speaker 2: Welcome backslices. 830 00:38:58,440 --> 00:39:00,160 Speaker 1: We love that you're listening, but we watch it get 831 00:39:00,200 --> 00:39:02,080 Speaker 1: in the game every day too, So here's our good 832 00:39:02,120 --> 00:39:05,000 Speaker 1: gameplay of the day. If you haven't already, go subscribe 833 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:07,200 Speaker 1: to in case you missed it with Christina Williams to 834 00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:09,400 Speaker 1: keep up with all the women's hoops happenings. 835 00:39:09,520 --> 00:39:11,240 Speaker 2: We'll put a link to the pod in our show notes. 836 00:39:11,560 --> 00:39:13,720 Speaker 1: Also, today is the last day of the Minnesota Aurora 837 00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:17,560 Speaker 1: FC capital Raise. Go to wefunder dot com slash mn 838 00:39:17,680 --> 00:39:19,960 Speaker 1: Aurora to buy your slice. We'll put the link to 839 00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:22,000 Speaker 1: invest in our show notes. And remember to send us 840 00:39:22,040 --> 00:39:24,239 Speaker 1: a receipt in your address once you're invested so we 841 00:39:24,280 --> 00:39:27,280 Speaker 1: can send you an exclusive Good Game Times Aurora collab hat. 842 00:39:27,640 --> 00:39:28,479 Speaker 2: We always love to hear. 843 00:39:28,360 --> 00:39:29,719 Speaker 1: From you, so to hit us up on email Good 844 00:39:29,760 --> 00:39:32,520 Speaker 1: Game at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail 845 00:39:32,520 --> 00:39:35,160 Speaker 1: at eight seven two two oh four fifty seventy. 846 00:39:35,280 --> 00:39:38,800 Speaker 2: And don't forget to subscribe, Rate and review. It's easy. 847 00:39:38,960 --> 00:39:43,600 Speaker 1: Watch the Fever celebrating Kelsey Mitchell's new deal, rating five 848 00:39:43,640 --> 00:39:44,360 Speaker 1: out of five. 849 00:39:44,320 --> 00:39:47,080 Speaker 2: Aws and cute review. 850 00:39:47,280 --> 00:39:49,520 Speaker 1: Upon returning to Indy to resign with the Fever, Mitchell 851 00:39:49,600 --> 00:39:51,800 Speaker 1: was greeted by what looked to be about fifty pacers 852 00:39:51,840 --> 00:39:55,440 Speaker 1: Sports and Entertainment staff, Fever coaches, and teammate Caitlin Clark, 853 00:39:55,680 --> 00:39:59,239 Speaker 1: waving thundersticks, cheering and welcoming her back. Clark joke that 854 00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:02,120 Speaker 1: she planned the whole This was real cute, y'all. I 855 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:04,000 Speaker 1: recommend watching the video. We'll throw the link in the 856 00:40:04,040 --> 00:40:06,160 Speaker 1: show notes. It kind of reminds me of that Jennifer 857 00:40:06,239 --> 00:40:09,279 Speaker 1: Hudson's Spirit Tunnel we talked about. If these copycats keep 858 00:40:09,280 --> 00:40:10,880 Speaker 1: popping up, I'm gonna have to demand one for my 859 00:40:10,920 --> 00:40:13,760 Speaker 1: next birthday party. Now it's your turn, Rate and Review. 860 00:40:14,040 --> 00:40:17,120 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening, See you next week. Good game, Christina, 861 00:40:17,680 --> 00:40:21,200 Speaker 1: Good Game, Chicago Sky and Courtney van der slout you not. 862 00:40:21,320 --> 00:40:23,840 Speaker 2: Knowing whether DT is coming back yet or not? Just 863 00:40:24,160 --> 00:40:25,799 Speaker 2: tell us please. 864 00:40:28,440 --> 00:40:30,960 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports 865 00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:34,040 Speaker 1: production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You 866 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:36,800 Speaker 1: can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or 867 00:40:36,800 --> 00:40:40,040 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, 868 00:40:40,160 --> 00:40:43,200 Speaker 1: our producers are Alex Azzie and Nisha Jones. Our executive 869 00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:46,800 Speaker 1: producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. 870 00:40:47,120 --> 00:40:50,359 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rudder, Britney Martinez and Grace Lynch. 871 00:40:50,640 --> 00:40:53,440 Speaker 1: Our associate producer is Lucy Jones and I'm Your Host 872 00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:54,240 Speaker 1: Sarah Spain