I guess the fact that she’s an international player and Doesn’t have to come over didn’t scare Golden State. They took Ceci Zandalasini from the Lynx, along with Conde from the Sky.
I agree with your analysis. There is no need to protect Hiedeman of MHA, since both are unrestricted free agents, and the only way that Golden State can be sure of keeping them on their roster if they were selected is to core them and pay them max money. I think that’s extremely unlikely, and the Lynx would not re-sign them for max money in any event. That leaves Dorka, Diamond, Alissa, Ceci, Jessica, and Maia Hirsch available for the sixth protected player spot. I can’t see them as protecting Hirsch, since she has been often injured and has yet to play a minute in the league. Ceci’s questionable availability should likewise give Golden State pause about selecting her. As you say, if they protect Diamond, then Dorka is clearly gone, but I’m not at all sure about the reverse, so I think that’s extremely unlikely Dorka gets the sixth protected spot. Over at ESPN, Kevin Pelton suggested that they should trade them for max 15th pick for an agreement by Golden State to take Pili in the expansion draft. I don’t like that only because we have three more expansion drafts coming up, and because I don’t want to give up the 15th pick in a deep draft just to protect Diamond for one year, until she’s at risk of being selected by Portland or Toronto.
Typo in the above-“so I think that’s extremely unlikely Dorka gets the sixth protected spot” should read “so I think that’s extremely it’s extremely likely….”
Off the board with Ceci!! I did say, you could make an argument for her. This one is a bit stunning, but I like it. I certainly like it for Minny keeping that interior size
@@WNBAnow I guess that Diamond will start the season as Carleton’s principal back-up. I don’t think that she is quite as good defensively as Ceci and is not as consistent shooting from outside, but she will have another year to prove herself. I am pretty sure that they protected Juhasz, like you said.
I think they would pick Pili, shes known especially during college, her first 2 years she was at USC, she’ll bring some viewers and shes a fun player, good offensively but needs work on defense, and I dont think Pili fits in the way Cheryl wants to play
She has more connection to Sparks coach, and she will fit there better as Brink is mobile DPOY Level big that can cover for her on the defensive end, while both can be lehtal from PnR on offense, as we saw Pili drop 20 with very good PnR game.
getting average level or higher Guard with playoff exp while below age of 32/33 in wnba cheap/for free is really hard, who will Valkyries get that is better then Natisha Hiedeman for free? Guard that was starting before going to lynx with playoff exp etc is very good immo, even if they get Plum she will play combo/sg anyway. We know that forwards/wings/bigs translate over as rookie much easier, meanwhile non top picks ( and sometimes #1 #2 picks) as guard have really hard time adapting, so you need some experience in the 1/2 spot immo, can't be going with rookies unless the plan is to lose a lot of games tank and be dead last.
I don't necessarily think the plan is to tank, but I'm not going to be surprised if GSV is at the bottom of the standings in 2025. As for NH, I do like her, but she is an unrestricted, so not someone Minnesota should be looking to protect unless they think GS is going to pluck her and core her, which, bc of the plethora of options from the team, is highly unlikely. It's definitely not a bad option in FA, so I think you make a valid point in the importance of an experienced back court!
Once again I disagree, Diamond Miller is a better player to protect for the Minnesota Lynx than Dorka Juhasz, and if Natisha Heideman doesn't renew, a guard will be missing and there is Miller.
Hey, I appreciate the input. I'd obviously push back from the sense of team construction and what this Lynx team is looking for. Diamond isn't a shooter or spacer. She was a complete non-factor down the stretch and I'm not sure why that would change considering most, if not everyone will be back (apart from the GSV selection). Minnesota seems to have their recipe, and I just don't think Miller is part of it. Could be wrong, but I guess we will see on Friday
@@WNBAnow Diamond Miller has tremendous physical tools. Something is keeping her from clicking. She could be really, really good. Shephard absolutely fits what the Lynx do. She came in as a rookie with Collier. Shephard is your Swiss Army Knife of players. She does a bit of everything. Still, she is undersized as your big, just like Smith. Hope the French girl improves to the point she becomes a contributor.
It's definitely possible I'm wrong on Diamond. I won't be the least bit surprised if she is, in fact, protected. That said, even if retained, I'm not sure where she fits within this scheme and roster
I guess the fact that she’s an international player and Doesn’t have to come over didn’t scare Golden State. They took Ceci Zandalasini from the Lynx, along with Conde from the Sky.
Love Ceci
I agree with your analysis. There is no need to protect Hiedeman of MHA, since both are unrestricted free agents, and the only way that Golden State can be sure of keeping them on their roster if they were selected is to core them and pay them max money. I think that’s extremely unlikely, and the Lynx would not re-sign them for max money in any event. That leaves Dorka, Diamond, Alissa, Ceci, Jessica, and Maia Hirsch available for the sixth protected player spot. I can’t see them as protecting Hirsch, since she has been often injured and has yet to play a minute in the league. Ceci’s questionable availability should likewise give Golden State pause about selecting her. As you say, if they protect Diamond, then Dorka is clearly gone, but I’m not at all sure about the reverse, so I think that’s extremely unlikely Dorka gets the sixth protected spot. Over at ESPN, Kevin Pelton suggested that they should trade them for max 15th pick for an agreement by Golden State to take Pili in the expansion draft. I don’t like that only because we have three more expansion drafts coming up, and because I don’t want to give up the 15th pick in a deep draft just to protect Diamond for one year, until she’s at risk of being selected by Portland or Toronto.
Typo in the above-“so I think that’s extremely unlikely Dorka gets the sixth protected spot” should read “so I think that’s extremely it’s extremely likely….”
Off the board with Ceci!! I did say, you could make an argument for her. This one is a bit stunning, but I like it. I certainly like it for Minny keeping that interior size
@@WNBAnow I guess that Diamond will start the season as Carleton’s principal back-up. I don’t think that she is quite as good defensively as Ceci and is not as consistent shooting from outside, but she will have another year to prove herself. I am pretty sure that they protected Juhasz, like you said.
I think they would pick Pili, shes known especially during college, her first 2 years she was at USC, she’ll bring some viewers and shes a fun player, good offensively but needs work on defense, and I dont think Pili fits in the way Cheryl wants to play
That's a fair take! You might be right about the CR system, too, so maybe they do go witht the first round pick from a year ago
Hope Pili becomes a Valkyrie.
She has more connection to Sparks coach, and she will fit there better as Brink is mobile DPOY Level big that can cover for her on the defensive end, while both can be lehtal from PnR on offense, as we saw Pili drop 20 with very good PnR game.
That would be pretty sweet!
getting average level or higher Guard with playoff exp while below age of 32/33 in wnba cheap/for free is really hard, who will Valkyries get that is better then Natisha Hiedeman for free? Guard that was starting before going to lynx with playoff exp etc is very good immo, even if they get Plum she will play combo/sg anyway.
We know that forwards/wings/bigs translate over as rookie much easier, meanwhile non top picks ( and sometimes #1 #2 picks) as guard have really hard time adapting, so you need some experience in the 1/2 spot immo, can't be going with rookies unless the plan is to lose a lot of games tank and be dead last.
I don't necessarily think the plan is to tank, but I'm not going to be surprised if GSV is at the bottom of the standings in 2025. As for NH, I do like her, but she is an unrestricted, so not someone Minnesota should be looking to protect unless they think GS is going to pluck her and core her, which, bc of the plethora of options from the team, is highly unlikely. It's definitely not a bad option in FA, so I think you make a valid point in the importance of an experienced back court!
Dorka the righr decision tbh
Great minds!!
Once again I disagree, Diamond Miller is a better player to protect for the Minnesota Lynx than Dorka Juhasz, and if Natisha Heideman doesn't renew, a guard will be missing and there is Miller.
Hey, I appreciate the input. I'd obviously push back from the sense of team construction and what this Lynx team is looking for. Diamond isn't a shooter or spacer. She was a complete non-factor down the stretch and I'm not sure why that would change considering most, if not everyone will be back (apart from the GSV selection). Minnesota seems to have their recipe, and I just don't think Miller is part of it. Could be wrong, but I guess we will see on Friday
@@WNBAnow Diamond Miller has tremendous physical tools. Something is keeping her from clicking. She could be really, really good. Shephard absolutely fits what the Lynx do. She came in as a rookie with Collier. Shephard is your Swiss Army Knife of players. She does a bit of everything. Still, she is undersized as your big, just like Smith. Hope the French girl improves to the point she becomes a contributor.
Diamond miller will be protected Minnesota
Agreed i think diamond will turn it around if golden state gets her she going to be good
You wrong on diamond
It's definitely possible I'm wrong on Diamond. I won't be the least bit surprised if she is, in fact, protected. That said, even if retained, I'm not sure where she fits within this scheme and roster