I don't like this for Vegas at all, really poor Jewell is on the decline advance & normal stats wise for 3 years, had problems with coaches in the olympics, and her own team...
Still can’t believe the Sparks traded away the 2nd pick thought they would draft Olivia Miles and go with the long term route team building wise instead of trying to win right now
Yall, Jewell is one year older than KP. She has two more years in the league because she left ND a year early. Ppl are acting like Loyd is 36. She's 31
@@Wnbafan9956 I'm saying Jewell's rookie season was 2015, and KP's was 2017. Not how many Jewell has left, my bad. I also am not taking into account if either of them missed a season due to injury or something.
I think this trade will age well for the Aces. Getting a draft pick back this year puts them over the top. I think Jewell’s efficiency will improve now that she doesn’t have to be a primary option. Free agency has officially begun!
Agreed. I view Jewell similarly to Plum, Kelsey Mitchell, and a few others. High scorers who are best as possibly the second scoring option and part of a core 3 or 4. I think Arike is the same and needs a franchise player beside her. Jewell was at her best when she had Stewie and Sue.
What if Olivia Miles stays in school and Flau'Jae Johnson comes out early, then Flau'Jae goes to Seattle? Also, Jewell and Jackie LOVE each other they were bro-ing out hardcore during the Olympics. A'Ja too. Not at all surprised to find Jewell with the Aces.
Flaujae still has a lot to work on mainly her consistency. She’d do herself a severe disservice to come out early. Aja, Jackie & Jewell I believe all have the same agent.
@@TheReddee1987she’s a 20 ppg scorer . She’s very consistent this year . She’s clearly ready for the wnba . She can always get better while playing in the wnba .
@@jamessimmons7476 "20 ppg scorer"+ "very consistent this year" = "clearly ready for the wnba"???? Want to make a small side wager where you make a list of all the 20-ppg scorers' who did make in the WNBA and I make a list of all the ones that didn't and we compare who comes up with the longer list? Why not make it interesting? I would be willing to go high stakes with you on this one. Put your money where your mouth is.
Kelsey Plum was efficient because of Becky Hammon's system and having supporting players to cover up her ball hogging inefficiencies at time. Maybe she'll be more ball dominant in LA. 🤷 Being in Vegas will take pressure off Lloyd to run within Becky's system and be more efficient. I see alot of casuals in the comments that know know nothing about these players and how they operate. On paper, Seattle seems to have won this trade but who will fit into their team's system is the biggest thing to see when the WNBA season starts. Vegas also will have Elizabeth Kitley back at 6'6"
Kitley never played so it’s not really having her back. Also, Kitley still has to prove she’s even a W pro. Before her injury there was questions regarding that which is why nobody took a flyer on her late in the first round like many teams normally would do.
She was a top 5 picks before the injury and won back back DPOY in the ACC... She is playing with the best big in the W, believe me, she is going to be ready @@TheReddee1987
Apparently Seattle is also getting LV's 2026 first round pick, which is insane. This is what happens when you don't have a GM, people are making unreasonable decisions. Seattle also has LA's 2026 first round pick from when they sent Kia Nurse to LA last year, so they'll have three first round picks.
i mean that is wild ... i mean wild but vegas is literally one of those 10-12 teams and the 2026 draft might not be as deep as the 2025 might...might...might lol but since vegas is a free agent desired destination they will be fine as they got a large pool of players wanting to play in vegas...especially in 2026 when the CBA starts and all the players (outside of the rookie contracts) are available...the aces will be fine
Am I the only one that doesn’t think this is a bad trade for LA? LA is trying to become a free agent destination. They just need an experienced guard to keep them somewhat competitive for 2-4 years while they build their practice facility and their young talent grows. Then they can make some free agent moves when those star PGs hit free agency. KP is from SoCal. She will almost certainly retire in LA. Her timeline matches up with where the Sparks are going long term. It’s the same trajectory NY took a few years ago with Ionescu then bringing Stewie and JJ.
The Sparks went for the "safe" route, grabbing a player who may not be on the same timeline of the youngsters, but is not old either and should fit seamlessly with Dearica, who she already play with. Yeah, if Olivia declares AND she reaches her ceiling, which is to be seen (I cheer for her, to be clear) it could turn out as a mistake, but I get their point of view. Besides, as you said this is a deep draft, and the 9th pick could prove to be a steal. Seattle looks like the clear winner here. Jewell had nothing left to give them, and they managed to get the most from her even as she left. The #2 pick could easily be generational, but if shit hits the fan (Paige refusing Dallas and Olivia not declaring) it could as easily be a bust. Noone knows, but I believe they couldn't have moved better than they did. Las Vegas...heh, I get they didn't have much choice, but Jewell looks like a pretty obvious downgrade to Kelsey.
Don’t understand the trade for the Sparks timeline, but being the 2nd or 3rd option on the Aces might help Jewell’s efficiency. She could also help decrease the defensive load on Jackie. Jewell’s not All Defense calibre, but capable enough of sharing the burden on the perimeter especially as Chelsea is still working her way back to shape.
seattle fleeced! sky wins without being involved if olivia falls to them. sparks must feel cam and rickea are ready to compete if they committed that much assets for a 30year old Plum
I would think that it’s far more likely that Miles stays in school now that Seattle has the 2nd pick. There would be more appeal going to play in Los Angeles, with all the attention and opportunities available there.
The Sparks needed Paige Beckers for 2 reasons. A great point guard and a big name to sell tickets. Since they can’t have her, this trade is the best they could do. They still get to draft a top 10 point guard, and they get a huge name to sell tickets.
I think LA can’t do better than Kelsey Plum with the #2 pick. Olivia Miles is a good move for Seattle. The Aces probably felt they couldn’t do better Jewel Loyd for Kelsey. D’earica Hamby and Kelsey Plum are good pals.
Crazy trade. Miles would've been a great building block w/Rickea & Cam. They're going to need a perimeter defender to pair w/KP. Shyanne Sellers might be their #9 pick
@ well she’s never had the opportunity with getting only 12 min a a game and last season was big eating 3s and her energy and perimeter defense and season high in pts in limited minutes and she been good in unrivaled off the bench so she’s gonna be big time
So your solution to pair with KP in the backcourt is Shyanne Sellers? 😂 Rae Burrell is definitely more of a WNBA pro than Sellers. Rae is a long athletic wing who can guard 1-3 and she can hit the 3. Sellers doesn’t shoot the 3 and has shown that she needs the ball in her hands as a facilitator to be most effective and that’s not going to work alongside players like KP and Rickea.
If the rumors of Paige not wanting to play for Dallas are true, I’d love to see Seattle pair the 2nd pick alongside Skylar Diggins to Dallas for the 1st pick. Dallas adds a passing guard to help Arike and potentially a Sonia Citron or maybe Flau’jae Johnson if she enters the draft and Seattle adds Paige who reunites with Nika Muhl. Paige already went to multiple Storm games last season so she’s familiar with the place lol.
Olivia Miles is returning to school. But there were other great guards available at #2. The Sparks could’ve at least gotten another first round or 2nd round pick. I sense another trade coming for LA.
I understand if leaving Las Vegas was necessary for Kelsey for personal reasons and likewise why Jewell wanted out of the Storm but I don't necessarily think it was a good trade for anyone in terms of basketball.
You can tell me if I’m crazy but if the Storm don’t want to rebuild and don’t lose anyone in free agency I can see the Storm trading the 2nd pick to Dallas for Satou. Storm will have PG: SDS SG G. Willams SF: Satou PF: Neika C: Ezzy And Dallas will have the first 2 picks and draft Pagie and Dominique Malonga
Hi Hunter, enjoyed the video and appreciate how quickly you got it out. My first thought when hearing of this trade was that LA had to have gotten assurances from Plum that she would re-sign with them after 1 year and likely for max or close to it. Otherwise, this trade does not happen due to only getting one year of Plum. Remember when Dallas got a lot from Atlanta for Alisha Grey. Grey only had 1 year before being a free agent. What happened? Ofcourse Grey re-signed with Atlanta.
I'm very interested to see how the shot attempts work out between jewell and jackie. I like Jewell but it felt like this last season she was just taking random shots instead of quality ones. I feel like that will drive becky nuts.
Oh not to worry JL's shot attempts will plummet because A'ja doesn't share the rock. JL's stats will suffer a lot as do all the other Aces teammates of the biggest ball-hog/stat-hog in the league. I definitely know why KP wanted out! Without KP to save them and with A'ja playing her non-team me-first offense the Aces may struggle to break .500 next season.
@@MOHAMEDMOHAMED-bx3ji 1. yes Kelsey Plum definitely wanted to leave the Aces. That's real. 2. yes, A'ja Wilson is a racist. She doesn't see a basketball player or a teammate. She has made it clear she sees a basketball player or a teammate of a particular color, and based solely on that color makes judgmental and racist assumptions like how much privilege that person received. Which is probably a lot of the reason Kelsey Plum wanted out. She wanted to play with people who saw her as a teammate who earned her spot. That's real. 3. yes, last season as A'ja played more and more selfishly, her teammates stats all went down. Statistically, A'ja would still try to score herself even when double or triple teamed (and thus when a teammate was wide open) more often than any other player in the league. Again, she would rather try to force a shot rather than pass to open teammates more than any other player in the league. That's real. 4. yes, A'ja is a hater and we should all recognize that. That's real.
@ . 1. yes Kelsey Plum definitely wanted to leave the Aces. That's real. 2. yes, A'ja Wilson doesn't see a basketball player or a teammate. She has made it clear she sees a basketball player or a teammate of a particular color, and based solely on that color makes judgmental assumptions like how much privilege that person received. Which is probably a lot of the reason Kelsey Plum wanted out. She wanted to play with people who saw her as a teammate who earned her spot. That's real. 3. yes, last season as A'ja played more and more selfishly, her teammates stats all went down. Statistically, A'ja would still try to score herself even when double or triple teamed (and thus when a teammate was wide open) more often than any other player in the league. Again, she would rather try to force a shot rather than pass to open teammates more than any other player in the league. That's real. 4. yes, A'ja propagates a lot of hate, and we should all recognize that. That's real.
The Fever trade Kelsey Mitchell to Seattle for the Second pick and Jordan Horston and then they trade the 8th overall pick and Nalyssa Smith to Minnesota for the 11th overall pick and Dorka Juhasz what do y’all think??
Kelsey Plum is one of the most attractive players from a marketing standpoint, and Los Angeles is the place to be for her. The Sparks already have fashonista Cameron Brink. Draft Picks are often overrated as trade material, if you're getting a "known quality" like a player, a former #1 first round 1st overall selected pick in Kelsey Plum who has proven she can play at the WNBA level. I think this makes the most sense for the Sparks and Plum financially. She can be the go-to scoring option now she's away from Aja Wilson, so Plum can become a team leading dominant force. Many still remember when Kelsey threw that promotional T-Shirt from the floor to the rafters in the stadium as she exited college and entered the pros. She's also divorced, which makes her even more marketable as a personality. I'm a fan of this trade for so many reasons.
No way LA made this deal if they didn't get some sort of information that Miles might not declare. I understand not declaring and waiting for new CBA to kick in to get a better rookie deal but she's missing out on a good situation in LA where she could be a part of a promising core. She doesn't know what team might draft her next year and she could go into a worse team.
Well Well, we got our first major move in the WNBA off season! Sparks wants to win games over another potential rookie development. The Aces made a lateral move from switching from KP to Jewell Loyd. Seattle gets the second pick and can do whatever they want! (Miles, Kiki, Citron, Dominique Malonga). Fun times!
The ACES are getting a Lottery Pick back this year if healthy in Elizabeth Kitley and now they apparently have the No. 13 pick in 2025. So anyone thinking the ACES will have an aging bunch of guards when this is one of the DEEPEST and Talented Guard drafts in Years, really have not been paying attention. Also, Jackie Young is in her PRIME at 27 years old. LOL.
and Dearica Hamby.and Azurá Stevens. But the problem is that if you try to start these 5 players - 6'6" AS, 6'4" CB, 6'3" DH, 6'2" RJ, 5'8" KP - that's really 4 players who are best suited for the 5-4-3 spots and 1 player who is a natural 2 with strong passing skills so maybe could also play 1 but not natural there. I think in AS, CB, DH, & RJ you have your starting center & forwards and your primary backup (however that shakes out) but that still leaves you needing another starting guard and a primary backup guard. From the current roster maybe someone is good enough to be the primary backup guard, but that still leaves the team out in free agency looking for a starting quality point guard or else starting quality shooting guard and play KP out of position at 1. It will be interesting to see who fills that role and that will determine to a large extent how well the team performs, because a team is only as good as its weakest link in many cases. And there's really not that many good point guards currently in the league much less ones that are available. So the Sparks might try something creative like maybe if Chicago is fed up with how DCarrington behaves, trade a first rounder for her, but the problem there is she has a reputation as a team cancer and maybe a smart team will prefer players who bring positive energy. An underrated player who is available is Erica Wheeler who 2 seasons ago before being benched for one Caitlyn Clark was (from memory) #6 or so in assists in the league, a former WNBA All-Defensive team member, former All Star MVP, and brings great positive energy to her team. And she can be had as a straight free agent so then the Sparks can use that 1st rounder to draft a point guard to develop and back up. As I said it will be interesting to see who ends up filling that hole, but that person will be a big factor in how far the team can go.
@NADRIPmusic How about Dana Evans filling that role. I was going to say Lexie Brown could but she is always injured for some reason. She didn't really play too many games last year so it will be interesting to see what L.A does with Lexie 10-15 games into next season. Hamby was a surprise improved player last year she increased her points from 8 to 17 her rebs from 5 to 9 and her fg% 43% to 50% she is only going to be more dominant now that you can add KP to her on PNR's. I think this year's Sparks team should be a jumpshot oriented 3 point shooting team especially if they draft a decent guard and Lexie plays at full strength reaching averages of 13 to 14 a game. Also thanks for the long comment i like when people flesh out what they are trying to write 👍.
@ Yes for the most part. Regarding who they might draft, I wouldn't expect an impact player in the late 1st round, like this past season was one of the best drafts on record, and no one in the 1st round after #7 played much if at all. There were a couple of 2nd rounders who played some only because of injuries, and when the players in front of them were healthy basically sat. Also, especially with G's, it often takes them multiple seasons to adjust to the W, even ones taken as high as #1. In 2023, here were some of the G's taken: #2 G Diamond Miller, #5 G/F Lou Lopez Sénéchal, #6 G/F Haley Jones, #7 G Brace Berger, #9 G Jordan Houston, #10 G Zia Cooke, #11 G Abby Meyers. At this point there appears to be more misses than hits among those 1st round G's.. 2 seasons ago at #10 LA got Zia Cooke. This upcoming draft now at about that same spot there's a strong chance they get another player of similar ability. Everyone thinks the draft is strong before the draft, but history tells us late 1st round doesn't tend to give a lot of strong winners or early producers. Lexie Brown is now at least 30 and never has started more than 16 games (2022 LA). She's played less than 20 games the majority of her seasons. Her best statistical season in 2023 she averaged 12 points, but played only 12 games. Last season she shot 32% overall 30% from 3, neither number good enough. Career she's 39% / 36% which is ok on the 3's (which she makes at a pace of 1.2/game) but still not good enough overall. I see her as at best a backup G who is unreliable to play the full season. Dana Evans at 5'6" is one of the smallest players in the league (mismatch problems when posted up). Most starts 12 (2024 Chicago). She started the season last season as the starter at 1 for the Sky and was beaten out by not-so-great other players at the point guard spot and ended up playing around 6 minutes a game on a team that didn't even make the playoffs. Witherspoon said she lost her time because she wasn't scoring points. She shot 38% overall and 38% from 3 but only made 3's at a pace of 1.1/game. Career she's 37% overall/ 34% from 3. But she won't take the 3 unless sh'e basically left wide open. Also not a great passer. Last season 2.4 assists/g against 1.4 turnovers/g. She is a restricted free agent meaning the Sky have the right to match any offer, so you won't get her unless you pay way over what she's worth or make a trade. Again, there's not very many good point guards in the league. But someone like an Erica Wheeler is way better than someone like Dana Evans or Lexie Brown. Neither of them will ever be an All Star, much less an All Star MVP, nor ever be on the WNBA All-Defensive team, nor ever be top-10 in assists in the league. Personally I'd rather have an All-Star quality player a little past her prime than a never-will-be. So I'd prefer the 35-yr-old Courtney Vandersloot, and worth mentioning is Natisha Hiedeman, but I'm not sure they'll get either of those and Hiedeman is already a career backup. So for someone who could step up as a starter the only 1's in free agency who could do that well are probably Vandersloot and Erica Wheeler. Every other true 1 in free agency I can think of is backup quality at best.
@@NADRIPmusic Well i don't think Erica Wheeler is the one tbh. Let's not forget that Indiana started 0-7 i think last year and a lot of people told me Wheeler was the problem. Now as far as Vandersloot goes yes i think she has a chance to make a HUGE difference in L.A. She is one of the older players in the league and last year she averaged a decent 10.5 a game so that's ok i guess. She is 35 years old so this will be a win now situation honestly. Hiedeman is a better pick than Vandy and she can improve as a player through playing time progression and shots. Natisha's 9.1 could turn into 14.5 and 1.7 3's a game easily if she is playing with Hamby, Plum, Rickea and Brink.
@ Interesting thoughts. Again, I believe it's very unlikely LA can pull either Vandersloot or Hiedeman and not sure Hiedeman is a starring quality point guard even if they could pull her. You kind of have a very optimistic view of improvements a pro going into her 8th year can make. She's been with 2 very good programs (Con & Min) so I don't believe they missed something in her development. NH did start most of 2022 and all of 2023 with Con, at which point Con traded her, and there was a reason. Mainly 2.7 assists/game as a starting point guard - really, really bad. And an overall shooting % of 39% with 8.5 ppg wasn't all that impressive either. If LA wants to get where you suggest they want to get, they need someone better than this. I do believe Vandersloot is the best choice if LA can land her. Having Plum will help. As far as Erica Wheeler I mean watch her and make your own mind up don't just listen to random people on the Internet most of whom understand very little about pro basketball. You say "Let's not forget that Indiana started 0-7" but consider, beyond the brutal schedule, that Kelsey Mitchell started the season injured, Caitlyn Clark had a LOT of struggles adjusting to the WNBA early in the season so was FAR from the player who ended the season, Lexie Hull's greatly improved play hadn't yet emerged so the team was playing Katie Lou Samualson at the 3, who unfortunately had probably her worst pro season as she was not fully back after having her baby, Nalyssa Smith also had a terrible regressive season, and Aliya Boston was noticeably not in shape for the kind of pace that the Fever and Caitlyn Clark especially wanted to push. So a point guard needs SOMEONE to work with and the Fever had no one at the beginning of the season who was playing well. I mean if you make this argument then you should also make it for Caitlyn Clark because she also started the season 0-7. Are you telling me you wouldn't want LA to add Caitlyn Clark as their point guard? Because if you would want her, then you yourself are admitting the whole "started 0-7" argument is complete malarky. Guess what? After the break, they had the best offense in the WNBA and one of the best records. In 2023 as the starter for the Fever, EW had 5 assists per game. You act like she's nothing but you somehow love NH who in 2023 as the stater for Con having 2.7 assists per game by comparison. You just seem very unfair in your evaluations and are saying it's all based on hearsay anyway. Also in 2023, EW as starter vs NH as starter both at point guard, EW 40% shooting 9.9 ppg vs NH 39% shooting 8.5 ppg, EW FT 88% vs NH 74%, EW 3.0 rebound/game vs NH 2.1; EW 1.1 steals/game vs NH 0.9; So in assists EW is WAY better and in most other offensive and defensive categories EW is better. So how are you praising NH while panning EW? EW did play less minutes last season and only started the first 2 games because of Kelsey Mitchell being injured, so her minutes were way down and overall she had proportionally less stats but her 2024 season wasn't worse than 2023. Her overall shooting % was better in 2024 than 2023. her defense was also better and she had the 2nd highest Defensive Win Share on the Fever for the season. On a per minute basis she was better in 2024 than 2023. And because she was playing with Caitlyn Clark, she actually had a lot of her limited minutes where she had the additional challenge of having to play out of position at the 2 guard spot. There was nothing wrong with EW's play last season, just had the unfortunate task of being the backup to CC and so every time CC sat they started grumbling about how bad Erica Wheeler is and why was she even playing? I had one typical CC fan trying to spin me the story that every time EW was on the court the Fever's opponents would go on huge runs and the Fever would fall way behind, so I calmly pointed out that EW's +/- was better than CC's last season, meaning that it was impossible for what he said to be happening because the Fever were actually doing better when EW was on the floor than CC's +/-. I'm just sad to hear that you fell for that kind of nonsense and believed it without even checking for yourself. I do admire people who think for themselves and feel somewhat opposite about people who reach conclusions the way you say you did about EW.
seattle gotta draft Miles and hit the tank button now for Juju or Booker. don’t like it for LV, feels like treading water, not even sure if this makes them better
I hate it. I love KP and I do not like or want Jewel Lloyd on the ACE'S. If Jewel Lloyd didn't get along with Noell Quin, she damn sure will not get along with Becky Hammon or A'Ja Wilson.
kelsey managed/becky did her best to contain but you can see it kelsey wanted to be the #1 option....and at times it cost the aces the game and at times kelsey defensive liability got exposed and because the starting unit was so locked and they had to deal with kelsey's journey to success it wasn't easy to have her rotate...it not going be easy with jewell too in my opinion so i don't know how becky plans to deal with that...just like hunter said maybe kelsey really just wanted out for her own personal reasons (might not even be basketball related as that divorce hurt kelsey) the trade works for all parties but all parties need to get insurance players (kelsey/defenders, jewell/a small guard to rotate with/seattle marinne johannes or veteran guard)
I like it for the Sparks. I know you love Olivia Miles but we’ll see how she pans out without Hidalgo/Citron/Westbeld. Plus the Sparks can hopefully grab Georgia Amoore or HVL at 9.
@@tyronegill8772miles doesn’t fit the best with brink and Jackson they need spacing. I think the sparks will draft paopao from SC shes a dog and that brings more championship pedigree to the squad !
Let me know your thoughts on the trade! Do you think Seattle will look to make another move to win now or rebuild?
@@HunterCruse14 it's like trading Steph Curry to the Jazz . So disappointed 😞
Can't Kelsey Plum leave next year as a free agent?
Did the Sparks possibly give up Olivia for a one year 30 year old rental?
@@tyronegill8772 she is from San Diego so this basically playing at home. Plus with Brink and Jackson she has a couple of future star teammates.
I don't like this for Vegas at all, really poor Jewell is on the decline advance & normal stats wise for 3 years, had problems with coaches in the olympics, and her own team...
@faflafaflev3899 Thank you, finally someone with a clear view of this terrible trade.
Still can’t believe the Sparks traded away the 2nd pick thought they would draft Olivia Miles and go with the long term route team building wise instead of trying to win right now
They ain’t winning anything with plum..she’s not even in her prime
@@JayAli-u3xwe winning it all with plum
@@JR10thegoat HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH good one
@@the_realmkc4452 u gon see
i guess they got impatient
Aces starting a retirement home in the back court
100%
casual
Yall, Jewell is one year older than KP. She has two more years in the league because she left ND a year early. Ppl are acting like Loyd is 36. She's 31
@@Bendnado she’s got more then two potentially
@@Wnbafan9956 I'm saying Jewell's rookie season was 2015, and KP's was 2017. Not how many Jewell has left, my bad. I also am not taking into account if either of them missed a season due to injury or something.
Great video. Seattle clearly won the trade imo. I’m interested to see how these draft picks play out.
LA is definitely rushing to contention, Seattle just got away with highway robbery with the 2nd pick
Plum, Brink, Jackson, Hamby...that is a high-potential group for 2025.
They only will if Brinks comes back healthy. Plum ain't making them no contender but Brinks and Jackson will.
I think this trade will age well for the Aces. Getting a draft pick back this year puts them over the top. I think Jewell’s efficiency will improve now that she doesn’t have to be a primary option. Free agency has officially begun!
W ball knowledge unlike everyone else who thinks this is a horrible move
W take
Aces on downswing dummy
Agreed. I view Jewell similarly to Plum, Kelsey Mitchell, and a few others. High scorers who are best as possibly the second scoring option and part of a core 3 or 4. I think Arike is the same and needs a franchise player beside her. Jewell was at her best when she had Stewie and Sue.
@@the_realmkc4452 casual
What if Olivia Miles stays in school and Flau'Jae Johnson comes out early, then Flau'Jae goes to Seattle? Also, Jewell and Jackie LOVE each other they were bro-ing out hardcore during the Olympics. A'Ja too. Not at all surprised to find Jewell with the Aces.
Flauje probably won’t declare
Flaujae still has a lot to work on mainly her consistency. She’d do herself a severe disservice to come out early.
Aja, Jackie & Jewell I believe all have the same agent.
@@TheReddee1987she’s a 20 ppg scorer . She’s very consistent this year . She’s clearly ready for the wnba . She can always get better while playing in the wnba .
@@jamessimmons7476 "20 ppg scorer"+ "very consistent this year" = "clearly ready for the wnba"???? Want to make a small side wager where you make a list of all the 20-ppg scorers' who did make in the WNBA and I make a list of all the ones that didn't and we compare who comes up with the longer list? Why not make it interesting? I would be willing to go high stakes with you on this one. Put your money where your mouth is.
I think the trade works out for all 3 teams. I wouldn’t want to lose Plum for nothing. Loyd is probably the best thing you can get back in return
Kelsey Plum was efficient because of Becky Hammon's system and having supporting players to cover up her ball hogging inefficiencies at time. Maybe she'll be more ball dominant in LA. 🤷 Being in Vegas will take pressure off Lloyd to run within Becky's system and be more efficient. I see alot of casuals in the comments that know know nothing about these players and how they operate. On paper, Seattle seems to have won this trade but who will fit into their team's system is the biggest thing to see when the WNBA season starts.
Vegas also will have Elizabeth Kitley back at 6'6"
Kitley never played so it’s not really having her back.
Also, Kitley still has to prove she’s even a W pro. Before her injury there was questions regarding that which is why nobody took a flyer on her late in the first round like many teams normally would do.
She was a top 5 picks before the injury and won back back DPOY in the ACC...
She is playing with the best big in the W, believe me, she is going to be ready @@TheReddee1987
Apparently Seattle is also getting LV's 2026 first round pick, which is insane. This is what happens when you don't have a GM, people are making unreasonable decisions. Seattle also has LA's 2026 first round pick from when they sent Kia Nurse to LA last year, so they'll have three first round picks.
i mean that is wild ... i mean wild but vegas is literally one of those 10-12 teams and the 2026 draft might not be as deep as the 2025 might...might...might lol but since vegas is a free agent desired destination they will be fine as they got a large pool of players wanting to play in vegas...especially in 2026 when the CBA starts and all the players (outside of the rookie contracts) are available...the aces will be fine
Seattle is stacking picks like the OKC Thunder.
Insane trading away Miles/Bueckers.
Am I the only one that doesn’t think this is a bad trade for LA? LA is trying to become a free agent destination. They just need an experienced guard to keep them somewhat competitive for 2-4 years while they build their practice facility and their young talent grows.
Then they can make some free agent moves when those star PGs hit free agency. KP is from SoCal. She will almost certainly retire in LA. Her timeline matches up with where the Sparks are going long term. It’s the same trajectory NY took a few years ago with Ionescu then bringing Stewie and JJ.
Seattle getting Miles is insane ...Sparks got screwed
Thanks for a balanced review Hunter
The Sparks went for the "safe" route, grabbing a player who may not be on the same timeline of the youngsters, but is not old either and should fit seamlessly with Dearica, who she already play with. Yeah, if Olivia declares AND she reaches her ceiling, which is to be seen (I cheer for her, to be clear) it could turn out as a mistake, but I get their point of view. Besides, as you said this is a deep draft, and the 9th pick could prove to be a steal.
Seattle looks like the clear winner here. Jewell had nothing left to give them, and they managed to get the most from her even as she left. The #2 pick could easily be generational, but if shit hits the fan (Paige refusing Dallas and Olivia not declaring) it could as easily be a bust. Noone knows, but I believe they couldn't have moved better than they did.
Las Vegas...heh, I get they didn't have much choice, but Jewell looks like a pretty obvious downgrade to Kelsey.
Don’t understand the trade for the Sparks timeline, but being the 2nd or 3rd option on the Aces might help Jewell’s efficiency. She could also help decrease the defensive load on Jackie.
Jewell’s not All Defense calibre, but capable enough of sharing the burden on the perimeter especially as Chelsea is still working her way back to shape.
seattle fleeced! sky wins without being involved if olivia falls to them.
sparks must feel cam and rickea are ready to compete if they committed that much assets for a 30year old Plum
I agree., This only makes sense for LA if Cam is close to 100% coming off her ACL. Tis is a deal for the immediate future.
Magic was just impatient as usual.
It’s about money, Plum sells jerseys and tickets. Her combined with Brink is really marketable especially in terms of LA
I would think that it’s far more likely that Miles stays in school now that Seattle has the 2nd pick. There would be more appeal going to play in Los Angeles, with all the attention and opportunities available there.
But the Sparks have a management problem, lack the facilities, and has long been a laughing stock for these reasons. It ain’t the Lakers. 😂
The Sparks needed Paige Beckers for 2 reasons. A great point guard and a big name to sell tickets. Since they can’t have her, this trade is the best they could do. They still get to draft a top 10 point guard, and they get a huge name to sell tickets.
LA also gets the 2026 Second from Seattle and Seattle gets the 2026 First from Las Vegas
I think LA can’t do better than Kelsey Plum with the #2 pick. Olivia Miles is a good move for Seattle. The Aces probably felt they couldn’t do better Jewel Loyd for Kelsey. D’earica Hamby and Kelsey Plum are good pals.
Crazy trade. Miles would've been a great building block w/Rickea & Cam. They're going to need a perimeter defender to pair w/KP. Shyanne Sellers might be their #9 pick
We got a perimeter defender in Rae Burrell at the 2
@JR10thegoat Hmm 🤔
I like Rae's energy & athleticism but I'm not convinced she's a WNBA starter. Maybe this is her chance to prove she is
@ well she’s never had the opportunity with getting only 12 min a a game and last season was big eating 3s and her energy and perimeter defense and season high in pts in limited minutes and she been good in unrivaled off the bench so she’s gonna be big time
So your solution to pair with KP in the backcourt is Shyanne Sellers? 😂
Rae Burrell is definitely more of a WNBA pro than Sellers. Rae is a long athletic wing who can guard 1-3 and she can hit the 3. Sellers doesn’t shoot the 3 and has shown that she needs the ball in her hands as a facilitator to be most effective and that’s not going to work alongside players like KP and Rickea.
Magic Johnson has done it again...
If you mean nonsense, I agree.
If the rumors of Paige not wanting to play for Dallas are true, I’d love to see Seattle pair the 2nd pick alongside Skylar Diggins to Dallas for the 1st pick.
Dallas adds a passing guard to help Arike and potentially a Sonia Citron or maybe Flau’jae Johnson if she enters the draft and Seattle adds Paige who reunites with Nika Muhl. Paige already went to multiple Storm games last season so she’s familiar with the place lol.
Kelsey Plum is going to fit right in, in Hollywood
Olivia Miles is returning to school. But there were other great guards available at #2. The Sparks could’ve at least gotten another first round or 2nd round pick. I sense another trade coming for LA.
I understand if leaving Las Vegas was necessary for Kelsey for personal reasons and likewise why Jewell wanted out of the Storm but I don't necessarily think it was a good trade for anyone in terms of basketball.
You can tell me if I’m crazy but if the Storm don’t want to rebuild and don’t lose anyone in free agency I can see the Storm trading the 2nd pick to Dallas for Satou. Storm will have
PG: SDS
SG G. Willams
SF: Satou
PF: Neika
C: Ezzy
And Dallas will have the first 2 picks and draft Pagie and Dominique Malonga
Will Cam be able to play this season?
WHY WOULD LA TRADE AWAY THEIR PICK
Thanks Hunter ❤🎉❤
Hi Hunter, enjoyed the video and appreciate how quickly you got it out. My first thought when hearing of this trade was that LA had to have gotten assurances from Plum that she would re-sign with them after 1 year and likely for max or close to it. Otherwise, this trade does not happen due to only getting one year of Plum. Remember when Dallas got a lot from Atlanta for Alisha Grey. Grey only had 1 year before being a free agent. What happened? Ofcourse Grey re-signed with Atlanta.
I'm very interested to see how the shot attempts work out between jewell and jackie. I like Jewell but it felt like this last season she was just taking random shots instead of quality ones. I feel like that will drive becky nuts.
Oh not to worry JL's shot attempts will plummet because A'ja doesn't share the rock. JL's stats will suffer a lot as do all the other Aces teammates of the biggest ball-hog/stat-hog in the league. I definitely know why KP wanted out! Without KP to save them and with A'ja playing her non-team me-first offense the Aces may struggle to break .500 next season.
@@NADRIPmusicThe hate is real, i guess😂
@@MOHAMEDMOHAMED-bx3ji 1. yes Kelsey Plum definitely wanted to leave the Aces. That's real.
2. yes, A'ja Wilson is a racist. She doesn't see a basketball player or a teammate. She has made it clear she sees a basketball player or a teammate of a particular color, and based solely on that color makes judgmental and racist assumptions like how much privilege that person received. Which is probably a lot of the reason Kelsey Plum wanted out. She wanted to play with people who saw her as a teammate who earned her spot. That's real.
3. yes, last season as A'ja played more and more selfishly, her teammates stats all went down. Statistically, A'ja would still try to score herself even when double or triple teamed (and thus when a teammate was wide open) more often than any other player in the league. Again, she would rather try to force a shot rather than pass to open teammates more than any other player in the league. That's real.
4. yes, A'ja is a hater and we should all recognize that. That's real.
@ . 1. yes Kelsey Plum definitely wanted to leave the Aces. That's real.
2. yes, A'ja Wilson doesn't see a basketball player or a teammate. She has made it clear she sees a basketball player or a teammate of a particular color, and based solely on that color makes judgmental assumptions like how much privilege that person received. Which is probably a lot of the reason Kelsey Plum wanted out. She wanted to play with people who saw her as a teammate who earned her spot. That's real.
3. yes, last season as A'ja played more and more selfishly, her teammates stats all went down. Statistically, A'ja would still try to score herself even when double or triple teamed (and thus when a teammate was wide open) more often than any other player in the league. Again, she would rather try to force a shot rather than pass to open teammates more than any other player in the league. That's real.
4. yes, A'ja propagates a lot of hate, and we should all recognize that. That's real.
@@NADRIPmusic OK NADRIP😅🤦🏻♂️
Olivia Miles coming to Chicago Sky. Stop your nonsense take 😂😂😂😂hahahahahha ur wrong
UGH WHY SPARKS 😭
Because Magic is impatient
I really don't think people realize how good Plum will be with the Sparks...she will be Top 3 in MVP voting you can book it
Li is an on-court difference maker! She's a menace defensively.
Seattle have finessed these two teams😭Sparks really not that bad if Plum stays past 2025 though
This is not a downgrade. Lateral at best for Vegas.
Seattle got the Aces first rounder next year in this trade btw
My Aces makin moves W trade for us
The Fever trade Kelsey Mitchell to Seattle for the Second pick and Jordan Horston and then they trade the 8th overall pick and Nalyssa Smith to Minnesota for the 11th overall pick and Dorka Juhasz what do y’all think??
Kelsey Plum is one of the most attractive players from a marketing standpoint, and Los Angeles is the place to be for her. The Sparks already have fashonista Cameron Brink. Draft Picks are often overrated as trade material, if you're getting a "known quality" like a player, a former #1 first round 1st overall selected pick in Kelsey Plum who has proven she can play at the WNBA level. I think this makes the most sense for the Sparks and Plum financially. She can be the go-to scoring option now she's away from Aja Wilson, so Plum can become a team leading dominant force. Many still remember when Kelsey threw that promotional T-Shirt from the floor to the rafters in the stadium as she exited college and entered the pros. She's also divorced, which makes her even more marketable as a personality. I'm a fan of this trade for so many reasons.
Is this about marketing or having a winning future?
@@tyronegill8772marketing is everything… winning is just part of a marketing plan…
Notre dame have 6 seniors on the team. Half of the team will be gone. I think she declares and Seattle take her if they don’t trade that no. # 2 pick.
No way LA made this deal if they didn't get some sort of information that Miles might not declare. I understand not declaring and waiting for new CBA to kick in to get a better rookie deal but she's missing out on a good situation in LA where she could be a part of a promising core. She doesn't know what team might draft her next year and she could go into a worse team.
Seattle is also getting Vegas' 2026 first and LA gets Seattle's 2026 second. Seattle definitely fleeced em imo!!!
LA might draft decently with Shyanne Sellers at #9.
Well Well, we got our first major move in the WNBA off season! Sparks wants to win games over another potential rookie development. The Aces made a lateral move from switching from KP to Jewell Loyd. Seattle gets the second pick and can do whatever they want! (Miles, Kiki, Citron, Dominique Malonga). Fun times!
As a Storm fan, im going to start watching Notre Dame games lol
Seattle has las vegas' 1st rd pick next year
The ACES are getting a Lottery Pick back this year if healthy in Elizabeth Kitley and now they apparently have the No. 13 pick in 2025. So anyone thinking the ACES will have an aging bunch of guards when this is one of the DEEPEST and Talented Guard drafts in Years, really have not been paying attention. Also, Jackie Young is in her PRIME at 27 years old. LOL.
Slyly the Aces TECHNICALLY end up with a 1st Rd pick!
The aces do not need more guards.
Come on they're not going to draft Olivia they have Skyler are you all crazy😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
They could trade Skylar and go full tank.
Well now they have Cam Brink, Plum and Rickea. No excuses next year for the Sparks
and Dearica Hamby.and Azurá Stevens. But the problem is that if you try to start these 5 players - 6'6" AS, 6'4" CB, 6'3" DH, 6'2" RJ, 5'8" KP - that's really 4 players who are best suited for the 5-4-3 spots and 1 player who is a natural 2 with strong passing skills so maybe could also play 1 but not natural there. I think in AS, CB, DH, & RJ you have your starting center & forwards and your primary backup (however that shakes out) but that still leaves you needing another starting guard and a primary backup guard. From the current roster maybe someone is good enough to be the primary backup guard, but that still leaves the team out in free agency looking for a starting quality point guard or else starting quality shooting guard and play KP out of position at 1. It will be interesting to see who fills that role and that will determine to a large extent how well the team performs, because a team is only as good as its weakest link in many cases. And there's really not that many good point guards currently in the league much less ones that are available. So the Sparks might try something creative like maybe if Chicago is fed up with how DCarrington behaves, trade a first rounder for her, but the problem there is she has a reputation as a team cancer and maybe a smart team will prefer players who bring positive energy. An underrated player who is available is Erica Wheeler who 2 seasons ago before being benched for one Caitlyn Clark was (from memory) #6 or so in assists in the league, a former WNBA All-Defensive team member, former All Star MVP, and brings great positive energy to her team. And she can be had as a straight free agent so then the Sparks can use that 1st rounder to draft a point guard to develop and back up. As I said it will be interesting to see who ends up filling that hole, but that person will be a big factor in how far the team can go.
@NADRIPmusic How about Dana Evans filling that role. I was going to say Lexie Brown could but she is always injured for some reason. She didn't really play too many games last year so it will be interesting to see what L.A does with Lexie 10-15 games into next season. Hamby was a surprise improved player last year she increased her points from 8 to 17 her rebs from 5 to 9 and her fg% 43% to 50% she is only going to be more dominant now that you can add KP to her on PNR's. I think this year's Sparks team should be a jumpshot oriented 3 point shooting team especially if they draft a decent guard and Lexie plays at full strength reaching averages of 13 to 14 a game. Also thanks for the long comment i like when people flesh out what they are trying to write 👍.
@ Yes for the most part. Regarding who they might draft, I wouldn't expect an impact player in the late 1st round, like this past season was one of the best drafts on record, and no one in the 1st round after #7 played much if at all. There were a couple of 2nd rounders who played some only because of injuries, and when the players in front of them were healthy basically sat. Also, especially with G's, it often takes them multiple seasons to adjust to the W, even ones taken as high as #1. In 2023, here were some of the G's taken: #2 G Diamond Miller, #5 G/F Lou Lopez Sénéchal, #6 G/F Haley Jones, #7 G Brace Berger, #9 G Jordan Houston, #10 G Zia Cooke, #11 G Abby Meyers. At this point there appears to be more misses than hits among those 1st round G's.. 2 seasons ago at #10 LA got Zia Cooke. This upcoming draft now at about that same spot there's a strong chance they get another player of similar ability. Everyone thinks the draft is strong before the draft, but history tells us late 1st round doesn't tend to give a lot of strong winners or early producers.
Lexie Brown is now at least 30 and never has started more than 16 games (2022 LA). She's played less than 20 games the majority of her seasons. Her best statistical season in 2023 she averaged 12 points, but played only 12 games. Last season she shot 32% overall 30% from 3, neither number good enough. Career she's 39% / 36% which is ok on the 3's (which she makes at a pace of 1.2/game) but still not good enough overall. I see her as at best a backup G who is unreliable to play the full season.
Dana Evans at 5'6" is one of the smallest players in the league (mismatch problems when posted up). Most starts 12 (2024 Chicago). She started the season last season as the starter at 1 for the Sky and was beaten out by not-so-great other players at the point guard spot and ended up playing around 6 minutes a game on a team that didn't even make the playoffs. Witherspoon said she lost her time because she wasn't scoring points. She shot 38% overall and 38% from 3 but only made 3's at a pace of 1.1/game. Career she's 37% overall/ 34% from 3. But she won't take the 3 unless sh'e basically left wide open. Also not a great passer. Last season 2.4 assists/g against 1.4 turnovers/g. She is a restricted free agent meaning the Sky have the right to match any offer, so you won't get her unless you pay way over what she's worth or make a trade.
Again, there's not very many good point guards in the league. But someone like an Erica Wheeler is way better than someone like Dana Evans or Lexie Brown. Neither of them will ever be an All Star, much less an All Star MVP, nor ever be on the WNBA All-Defensive team, nor ever be top-10 in assists in the league. Personally I'd rather have an All-Star quality player a little past her prime than a never-will-be. So I'd prefer the 35-yr-old Courtney Vandersloot, and worth mentioning is Natisha Hiedeman, but I'm not sure they'll get either of those and Hiedeman is already a career backup. So for someone who could step up as a starter the only 1's in free agency who could do that well are probably Vandersloot and Erica Wheeler. Every other true 1 in free agency I can think of is backup quality at best.
@@NADRIPmusic Well i don't think Erica Wheeler is the one tbh. Let's not forget that Indiana started 0-7 i think last year and a lot of people told me Wheeler was the problem. Now as far as Vandersloot goes yes i think she has a chance to make a HUGE difference in L.A. She is one of the older players in the league and last year she averaged a decent 10.5 a game so that's ok i guess. She is 35 years old so this will be a win now situation honestly. Hiedeman is a better pick than Vandy and she can improve as a player through playing time progression and shots. Natisha's 9.1 could turn into 14.5 and 1.7 3's a game easily if she is playing with Hamby, Plum, Rickea and Brink.
@ Interesting thoughts. Again, I believe it's very unlikely LA can pull either Vandersloot or Hiedeman and not sure Hiedeman is a starring quality point guard even if they could pull her. You kind of have a very optimistic view of improvements a pro going into her 8th year can make. She's been with 2 very good programs (Con & Min) so I don't believe they missed something in her development. NH did start most of 2022 and all of 2023 with Con, at which point Con traded her, and there was a reason. Mainly 2.7 assists/game as a starting point guard - really, really bad. And an overall shooting % of 39% with 8.5 ppg wasn't all that impressive either. If LA wants to get where you suggest they want to get, they need someone better than this.
I do believe Vandersloot is the best choice if LA can land her. Having Plum will help.
As far as Erica Wheeler I mean watch her and make your own mind up don't just listen to random people on the Internet most of whom understand very little about pro basketball. You say "Let's not forget that Indiana started 0-7" but consider, beyond the brutal schedule, that Kelsey Mitchell started the season injured, Caitlyn Clark had a LOT of struggles adjusting to the WNBA early in the season so was FAR from the player who ended the season, Lexie Hull's greatly improved play hadn't yet emerged so the team was playing Katie Lou Samualson at the 3, who unfortunately had probably her worst pro season as she was not fully back after having her baby, Nalyssa Smith also had a terrible regressive season, and Aliya Boston was noticeably not in shape for the kind of pace that the Fever and Caitlyn Clark especially wanted to push. So a point guard needs SOMEONE to work with and the Fever had no one at the beginning of the season who was playing well. I mean if you make this argument then you should also make it for Caitlyn Clark because she also started the season 0-7. Are you telling me you wouldn't want LA to add Caitlyn Clark as their point guard? Because if you would want her, then you yourself are admitting the whole "started 0-7" argument is complete malarky. Guess what? After the break, they had the best offense in the WNBA and one of the best records.
In 2023 as the starter for the Fever, EW had 5 assists per game. You act like she's nothing but you somehow love NH who in 2023 as the stater for Con having 2.7 assists per game by comparison. You just seem very unfair in your evaluations and are saying it's all based on hearsay anyway. Also in 2023, EW as starter vs NH as starter both at point guard, EW 40% shooting 9.9 ppg vs NH 39% shooting 8.5 ppg, EW FT 88% vs NH 74%, EW 3.0 rebound/game vs NH 2.1; EW 1.1 steals/game vs NH 0.9; So in assists EW is WAY better and in most other offensive and defensive categories EW is better. So how are you praising NH while panning EW? EW did play less minutes last season and only started the first 2 games because of Kelsey Mitchell being injured, so her minutes were way down and overall she had proportionally less stats but her 2024 season wasn't worse than 2023. Her overall shooting % was better in 2024 than 2023. her defense was also better and she had the 2nd highest Defensive Win Share on the Fever for the season. On a per minute basis she was better in 2024 than 2023. And because she was playing with Caitlyn Clark, she actually had a lot of her limited minutes where she had the additional challenge of having to play out of position at the 2 guard spot. There was nothing wrong with EW's play last season, just had the unfortunate task of being the backup to CC and so every time CC sat they started grumbling about how bad Erica Wheeler is and why was she even playing? I had one typical CC fan trying to spin me the story that every time EW was on the court the Fever's opponents would go on huge runs and the Fever would fall way behind, so I calmly pointed out that EW's +/- was better than CC's last season, meaning that it was impossible for what he said to be happening because the Fever were actually doing better when EW was on the floor than CC's +/-. I'm just sad to hear that you fell for that kind of nonsense and believed it without even checking for yourself. I do admire people who think for themselves and feel somewhat opposite about people who reach conclusions the way you say you did about EW.
seattle gotta draft Miles and hit the tank button now for Juju or Booker. don’t like it for LV, feels like treading water, not even sure if this makes them better
I hate it. I love KP and I do not like or want Jewel Lloyd on the ACE'S. If Jewel Lloyd didn't get along with Noell Quin, she damn sure will not get along with Becky Hammon or A'Ja Wilson.
that is a good point but it also wasn't easy for becky to keep KP under control..
@DJ_Mr_Rodge she managed, and why mess with team chemistry. I am so disappointed 😞
Lloyd and A’ja are friends off the court. I don’t think it will be an issue at all.
kelsey managed/becky did her best to contain but you can see it kelsey wanted to be the #1 option....and at times it cost the aces the game and at times kelsey defensive liability got exposed and because the starting unit was so locked and they had to deal with kelsey's journey to success it wasn't easy to have her rotate...it not going be easy with jewell too in my opinion so i don't know how becky plans to deal with that...just like hunter said maybe kelsey really just wanted out for her own personal reasons (might not even be basketball related as that divorce hurt kelsey) the trade works for all parties but all parties need to get insurance players (kelsey/defenders, jewell/a small guard to rotate with/seattle marinne johannes or veteran guard)
@larrycarter1875 I'm leaving too, I don't want to be a team hopper, but I really can't root for Lloyd
I Think 🤔
If Norte Dame DON'T 🏆 WIN the NCAA TOURNAMENT!!!!
OLIVIA MILES will return to Play one more Year with HANNAH!!!!
Magic Johnson strikes again.
Yeah, another disastrous trade.
We remember Ivica Zubac for Mike Muscala
Alos seattle has Los Angeles 1st rd pick in 26
The Chicago Sky will get Olivia Miles And Get rid of Dana Evens
Pao pao to LA?
Or sellers
The Storm made the Sparks look like idiots, which is exactly what they are. The franchise should just fold and put its fans out of their misery.
Yet they will win more GAMES this year then last.
And lose in the first round.
We want a championship future.
I like it for the Sparks. I know you love Olivia Miles but we’ll see how she pans out without Hidalgo/Citron/Westbeld. Plus the Sparks can hopefully grab Georgia Amoore or HVL at 9.
Sparks L
How?
@@JR10thegoat How do they win? By the time Rickea and Cam are ready, Plum (if they even get her back) and Hamby would be 35
LA won the deal
How?
@@tyronegill8772miles doesn’t fit the best with brink and Jackson they need spacing.
I think the sparks will draft paopao from SC shes a dog and that brings more championship pedigree to the
squad !