Li Yueru's Trade Request
Thoughts on Li Yueru's trade request from the Storm and what may be next.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Storm Center, Li Yueru, had requested a trade. It was surprising news because the season just started a couple of weeks ago. This news came out alongside other news that the WNBA was investigating the Seattle Storm for more inappropriate behavior towards players. Understandably, some Storm and WNBA fans in general started believing the two stories were related. And that there were major issues taking place in Seattle.
It’s been reported later that there is no ongoing investigation into the Seattle Storm for inappropriate behavior by the organization and coaching staff. However, it sounds like the complaint filed was regarding one of the Storm’s assistant coaches who had cursed at Jewell Loyd during or right after Sunday’s game between the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm.
While that probably wasn’t the best use of judgment. That’s certainly not something that would warrant a league-wide investigation. Whether fair or unfair, it comes across as a “nothing burger”. Anyone familiar with even youth sports, high school, or college basketball knows that a coach swearing isn’t some major revelation that’s never been done before. Admittedly, I’ve sworn while coaching middle school kids in basketball if the moment called for it, motivation was needed, or just being blunt and honest with them.
Unless the league truly believes there are issues within the organization or coaching staff that need to be investigated and action taken, I think it’s in the best interest of all parties to move on. Loyd was traded to a contender, the Aces, and has the opportunity to write another chapter in her story. She is surrounded by a lot of top-end talent that she is also friends with. Ideally, she will find peace and happiness. Meanwhile, it is in the best interest of the Storm’s Coaching staff to move on, focus on the players they do have, develop the younger players, and work towards their goal of bringing a 5th Championship to Seattle.
Moving back to the primary topic at hand. Li Yueru’s trade request is interesting for several reasons. Yueru was a priority for the Storm during the Jewell Loyd trade. They knew that Mercedes Russell would not be back with the team and that they would need a backup Center to fill Russell’s spot behind Ezi Magbegor.
While it’s true that they may have been targeting Dominique Malonga from the get-go, once the Storm acquired the #2 overall pick in that same trade that involved Yueru. There are so many other factors in play. It’s possible the Storm would have taken Olivia Miles had she stayed in the WNBA Draft instead of going back to college (although I believe it’s possible Miles returned to college because she found out she wasn’t going to be taken second overall). There was always the chance Seattle drafted Sonia Citron instead. On top of that, I think Seattle would have at least attempted to speak with Dallas about moving up for the #1 overall pick to get Paige Bueckers. If that scenario had played out, then they would have a much larger need for Li Yueru than they do currently. It’s possible Malonga could have changed her mind and decided to stay in France this year as well. Or lastly, since multiple WNBA GMs have stated “anonymously” that they believe Dominique Malonga will be the best player out of this draft five years from now, it could have been possible that the Wings shocked the world and selected her over Paige Bueckers.
The point being, there were so many other scenarios out there that could have led to Li Yueru playing a larger role than she has currently been given. I think it’s unfair to blame Seattle for what has transpired this season.
The night before the trade request became public, I wrote about Seattle’s dilemma with playing all four of their post players. Nneka Ogwumike is the team’s best player. Nneka did not play well in the first half, but Ezi did. Nneka then played very well in the 2nd half and is likely the reason the team was able to overcome a double-digit deficit in the third quarter to rally and win.
It is 100% understandable that Li Yueru would want more playing time. I think it is common for any basketball player, whether a starter or a reserve, to want more playing time. Playing time is an issue for almost every player in the WNBA. What was interesting with the trade request is that Li has come across as being happy on this team. A stark contrast to what random posts online tried to indicate.