Jeff: I'm curious as to if/how the Storm (and also the Aces) are able to support draft-and-stash types who are injured and obviously won't play this year (i.e. Holmes, Kitley)? I would assume they're not signed to any type of contract (for cap reasons), but it seems clearly in a team's best interest to help them with the rehab process and the development process. I'll guess there's no formal mechanism, and they're left on the their own, which would be yet another way that the WNBA gets in its own way. I'd love for you to tell me I'm wrong...
Hey Eric, from my quick discussion with GM Talisa Rhea, it sounds like the Storm will be in talks with Mackenzie and her agent on what their plans are, how Holmes wants to handle the surgery and rehab, etc. It sounded like the initial plan would be for Holmes to do it in Indy or near home.
I did ask if it's possible for them to bring Mackenzie in just to like meet the team, coaches, facilities, etc. without actually putting her on the roster. I believe that is possible but would likely be more a one-time thing as opposed to her traveling with the team and staying with them in street clothes on the bench all year.
Most likely, she'll just be focused on the surgery and rehab at home and then join the Storm at training camp in 2025.
I thought about Lou Lopez Senechal who I believe had to have surgery and was injured all year but did travel with the Dallas Wings. I didn't think she was on their salary cap since she never played at all for them. But looking at the Wings' salary cap sheet, it looks like she did count again the cap. So that's probably why we saw Lou on the team's bench and traveling with the team.
The Nika Mühl pick is one I thought the Storm might target in the 2nd round going back months ago, and when I saw Commissioner Engelbert come back out to the podium I knew they were drafting someone that was in the building and likely Mühl. Mühl felt like a player that was both a need and potentially Best Player Available at 14.
Thanks, Jeff, for getting that info. Stephanie Soares was another one of those injured draft-and-stash types. I think it would be great for the game if there could be a way to fully bring such players into the fold, get them rehabbed, acclimated to the league, and develop their skill deficiencies in line with what teams really want, since that's who will determine their immediate professional futures. I mean, if you're gonna invest the time to scout and draft these players...
Nice in-depth article on tomorrow's WNBA draft. I learned quite a bit from it. I'll be very interested to see who they Storm draft at #14 and if they draft for this season or next. It kind of looks like "draft and stash" may be the best route to take especially for one of those injured players. If they're drafting for this season, I would be in favor of them drafting one of the better foreign PG's. We'll see!
Thanks for this enlightening article. Go Storm!!
Jeff: I'm curious as to if/how the Storm (and also the Aces) are able to support draft-and-stash types who are injured and obviously won't play this year (i.e. Holmes, Kitley)? I would assume they're not signed to any type of contract (for cap reasons), but it seems clearly in a team's best interest to help them with the rehab process and the development process. I'll guess there's no formal mechanism, and they're left on the their own, which would be yet another way that the WNBA gets in its own way. I'd love for you to tell me I'm wrong...
I love the Nika Muhl pick!
Hey Eric, from my quick discussion with GM Talisa Rhea, it sounds like the Storm will be in talks with Mackenzie and her agent on what their plans are, how Holmes wants to handle the surgery and rehab, etc. It sounded like the initial plan would be for Holmes to do it in Indy or near home.
I did ask if it's possible for them to bring Mackenzie in just to like meet the team, coaches, facilities, etc. without actually putting her on the roster. I believe that is possible but would likely be more a one-time thing as opposed to her traveling with the team and staying with them in street clothes on the bench all year.
Most likely, she'll just be focused on the surgery and rehab at home and then join the Storm at training camp in 2025.
I thought about Lou Lopez Senechal who I believe had to have surgery and was injured all year but did travel with the Dallas Wings. I didn't think she was on their salary cap since she never played at all for them. But looking at the Wings' salary cap sheet, it looks like she did count again the cap. So that's probably why we saw Lou on the team's bench and traveling with the team.
The Nika Mühl pick is one I thought the Storm might target in the 2nd round going back months ago, and when I saw Commissioner Engelbert come back out to the podium I knew they were drafting someone that was in the building and likely Mühl. Mühl felt like a player that was both a need and potentially Best Player Available at 14.
Thanks, Jeff, for getting that info. Stephanie Soares was another one of those injured draft-and-stash types. I think it would be great for the game if there could be a way to fully bring such players into the fold, get them rehabbed, acclimated to the league, and develop their skill deficiencies in line with what teams really want, since that's who will determine their immediate professional futures. I mean, if you're gonna invest the time to scout and draft these players...
Nice in-depth article on tomorrow's WNBA draft. I learned quite a bit from it. I'll be very interested to see who they Storm draft at #14 and if they draft for this season or next. It kind of looks like "draft and stash" may be the best route to take especially for one of those injured players. If they're drafting for this season, I would be in favor of them drafting one of the better foreign PG's. We'll see!
"... who the Storm draft..." of course, not "they". Stupid AI bot.