Really great analysis, you factored in several things the casual fan wouldn't have considered. I do suspect that in 2026, one way or another, Jewel ends up in Chicago.
Whew!! So glad you didn't say Chicago. The drama was killing me as I waited for you to name the #1 destination. I'm asking the basketball gods to keep Jewell Loyd FAR AWAY from the Chicago Sky.
Chicago GET:Jewell Lloyd ( Hometown Jewell) Seatle GET:Chennedy Carter and Liz Harrison Chicago roster: Olivia Miles #3 pick, Jewell Lloyd, Michaella, Angel, Kamilla, Elizabeth Williams and #10 pick (PaoPao, Aneesah Morrow, Sonia Citron, Aziaha James, Sanya Rivers, Harmonie Turner or Janiah Barker)
Honestly not mad at this…OR because the draft is so guard heavy, its okay if we dont get Olivia… we trade our 3rd and izzy for their 9th and future pick? Spit balling
I know mercury doesn’t have that much trade capital, but with Taurasi possibly retiring it gives them a lot of open cap space and Loyd is a perfect piece to replace her with. If Mercury were looking to trade for her, what do you think they would trade for Loyd?
It's funny you mention them bc it does seem like PHX is that franchise to just keep mortgaging their future in order to win now, so it actually doesn't sound too crazy for a one-year rental, devoid of how it may play out. I think DT will be back, but I'm super curious if she realizes she needs to take a hefty haircut to actually help the team compete? As far as what it would take, the longer she remains unmoved the better. Not sure if the 12th pick does it, but maybe if they threw in their 2nd from a loaded 26 draft. I honestly can't see Seattle keeping her rostered for the start of the season. I'd say her price tag would surely go up as a trade deadline piece to a title-contender, but I just don't think there is anyway that locker room survives until then.
Loved your breakdown and reasoning with your choices. My question with Jewell going to NY. How many basketballs are they going to play with?? Loyd was 4th in the league with 16.8 FGA per game. Ionescu was 6th with 15.9 and Stewart right behind her at 15.2. Seems like waaay too many cooks in the kitchen, especially when Jonquell came in at #34 with only 9.8 shots a game. Finals MVP should get more touches than that.
Appreciate you! Also, that's a very reasonable question and thought about JL in NYC! There would certainly need to be a roll assessment if they did want to think about adding her. In the end, I do think everyone could get on the same page as long as it meant running back a title. If Jewell Loyd was your fourth option, and she bought into that, I'd say they'd be nearly unbeatable (or 3rd if Sabrina was full time facilitator)
Long-time Seattle fan here. I tend to agree with your question. Should Jewel end up with the Liberty, there will have to be some hard conversations about roles. Loyd and Stewart meshed well in Seattle, and Stewart has consistently been capable of sharing the ball and the spotlight. So far, the same could be said for Ionescu and Jones. But make it a foursome...gonna be tough, but Sandy Brondello can probably make it work for a year. And what year it might be. And Seattle will have to plan to maybe miss the playoffs in 2025 (though there's still free agency to come).
I want Chicago Sky to get Jewell Lyod but because the Sky is being haunted (until after Clark gets her championship ring…) let’s not put Loyd in that predicament. I love your 2nd pick though… The Aces is a great place for Loyd if Chicago doesn’t get her… I kinda don’t want the Aces to be broken up Money Martin gone now Plum might leave 😢 but hey, they already started with the staff so more disappointments are coming… 😮 Btw, I love your breakdown of all 3… you have great research skills… 🫡💚🫡
Appreciate you!! Yeah, if Vegas does part ways with KP, it's definitely going to be a little sentimental. The end of an era with those 4. We will see though, maybe they have some tricks up their sleeve!
They were close to making it, but in the end I can't see them trading a lottery pick when they have no guarantee that she will be there after next season. Seems like too big of a gamble with the way their roster looks after the 2025 season
Skytown almost made the list! I just can't see them coming off the number 3 pick, particularly when JL can take off after next season, but I would certainly suspect them to pick up the phone call and ask about that 10th pick. I'm not sure that's the direction they're headed w current roster tbh, but obviously tons of time
@@WNBAnow What about trading the rights to Carter and the 10th pick? Jewell is a local girl, would be a veteran presence in the locker room and you send that crazy talented headache to Seattle and see how she meshes with a bunch of other wackos?? Plus, Loyd already has won multiple titles, and I think she wouldn't be averse to signing a long-term deal with a rebuilding team like Chicago.
@@WNBAnow I don't think the sky needs the #3 pick as much as they need a Champion. Already running with 2 rooks. I think they will be fine with the 10th pick this season. Jeff n Marsh put big emphasis on shooters over 6 feet. Not seeing it in the top 3.
That's an interesting take as it's concerned to the 3-point shooting. I guess it depends on how much Pags and Marsh want Miles. Anything is possible, of course, I just don't see them swapping a lottery pick for a one-year contract
That's an interesting team for her. They will have a ton of cash, but don't really have any assets to trade for her. I'm interested to know what Bri Jones does
That's definitely not possible. lol. Breanna Stewart is cored for a max deal, right? They've got no way to take another 250 core max contract next year. Sab - 200k JJ - 200k Laney - 185k Leo - 70k Sab - 80k Davis - 71k They're at 920k with 586k leftover. If they sign Stewart to a core max and take in Loyd, then that's 86k to fill out the rest of the roster. They need 11 players on a roster, so who are they getting legally? Nobody. What is a "team-friendly" contract? Vet Minimum? Stewart can't legally take something that low. Therefore, they would have to move players like Laney, JJ, or Sab to make the space to get two 250k contracts. NYL can only core Stewart and then hope to fill in the rest with draft picks and vet min deals.
Breanna Stewart is not cored for a max deal. She was is an UFA. She loves NY and is not leaving so, unless she tell the FO to core her for the max, if she did want to add JL, she can simply sign for a way-below market deal to add her.
@WNBAnow they only got $598k to work with to sign the rest of the roster. Even without Stewart, they got to figure out how to complete the roster after getting a cored 250k JL contract. Stewart would be vet min just to have 11 players.
First of all, this team only needs 11, second of all, they're at 800k as we type these comments which means they have 700k to fill out 5 spots. 250 for JL, some vet mins and Brenna taking a healthy haircut to run back the title and try to get her fourth before new CBA. I'm not saying it's going it to happen by any means, just that's it's a viable landing spot if Breanna wants her old teammate back and (big and) the NYL FO think that puts them over the top
@@WNBAnow they are at 920k right now with their 2025 roster. This is without Stewart. You add 250k for JL then Stewart's whatever. That's 1.2 million for JL, no Stewart. How much can they really fill out with that remaining contract space and get 11 players?
Anything's possible, but with a new CBA after next year, it would be a heck of a gamble to take on a 1-year deal for high assets with no guarantee. I guess it would depend on the price
Really great analysis, you factored in several things the casual fan wouldn't have considered. I do suspect that in 2026, one way or another, Jewel ends up in Chicago.
Thank you!! Chicago was fourth on my list of possible destinations for 25, but I certainly wouldn't hate seeing her in ChiTown at some point
Whew!!
So glad you didn't say Chicago.
The drama was killing me as I waited for you to name the #1 destination.
I'm asking the basketball gods to keep Jewell Loyd FAR AWAY from the Chicago Sky.
The suspense! I love it!! I don't see Chicago as a likely spot
Why? are you related to her?
I'm not sure what that means, but I meant I can't see Chicago gambling a high draft pick and a contract when JL will be an UFA after next season
@WNBAnow my question was for the the original comment
@@ricorogers9319 got it!
Chicago GET:Jewell Lloyd ( Hometown Jewell)
Seatle GET:Chennedy Carter and Liz Harrison
Chicago roster: Olivia Miles #3 pick, Jewell Lloyd, Michaella, Angel, Kamilla, Elizabeth Williams and #10 pick (PaoPao, Aneesah Morrow, Sonia Citron, Aziaha James, Sanya Rivers, Harmonie Turner or Janiah Barker)
Honestly not mad at this…OR because the draft is so guard heavy, its okay if we dont get Olivia… we trade our 3rd and izzy for their 9th and future pick? Spit balling
Chicago needs to keep Carter....And they're not getting Olivia Miles...Shes not dropping past #2
Izzy is a UFA and CC is a RFA, so that deal isn't happening. A draft pick would definitely need to be involved
@@WNBAnow ok, so Seatle get Moriah Jeferson and Elizabeth Williams or #10 pick.
@@ricorogers9319 in your opinion, in ALL the mock draft #1 Page, #2 Kiki, #3 Olivia Miles
As a NY I think adding Jewell Loyd would help us win back to back championships. It’s about repeating and win now for us.
I agree. Think this would make the offense that much more potent
@@WNBAnowif she does goes to New York liberty who will they replace her on the starting 5?
@@maddoxvacio7973 Probably LF, but I can see many different starting rotations all with similar minutes for the core 7
GG
loyd to la sparks
I can see it
I know mercury doesn’t have that much trade capital, but with Taurasi possibly retiring it gives them a lot of open cap space and Loyd is a perfect piece to replace her with. If Mercury were looking to trade for her, what do you think they would trade for Loyd?
It's funny you mention them bc it does seem like PHX is that franchise to just keep mortgaging their future in order to win now, so it actually doesn't sound too crazy for a one-year rental, devoid of how it may play out. I think DT will be back, but I'm super curious if she realizes she needs to take a hefty haircut to actually help the team compete? As far as what it would take, the longer she remains unmoved the better. Not sure if the 12th pick does it, but maybe if they threw in their 2nd from a loaded 26 draft. I honestly can't see Seattle keeping her rostered for the start of the season. I'd say her price tag would surely go up as a trade deadline piece to a title-contender, but I just don't think there is anyway that locker room survives until then.
New York and the 7th pick.
Loved your breakdown and reasoning with your choices. My question with Jewell going to NY. How many basketballs are they going to play with?? Loyd was 4th in the league with 16.8 FGA per game. Ionescu was 6th with 15.9 and Stewart right behind her at 15.2. Seems like waaay too many cooks in the kitchen, especially when Jonquell came in at #34 with only 9.8 shots a game. Finals MVP should get more touches than that.
Appreciate you! Also, that's a very reasonable question and thought about JL in NYC! There would certainly need to be a roll assessment if they did want to think about adding her. In the end, I do think everyone could get on the same page as long as it meant running back a title. If Jewell Loyd was your fourth option, and she bought into that, I'd say they'd be nearly unbeatable (or 3rd if Sabrina was full time facilitator)
Long-time Seattle fan here. I tend to agree with your question. Should Jewel end up with the Liberty, there will have to be some hard conversations about roles. Loyd and Stewart meshed well in Seattle, and Stewart has consistently been capable of sharing the ball and the spotlight. So far, the same could be said for Ionescu and Jones. But make it a foursome...gonna be tough, but Sandy Brondello can probably make it work for a year. And what year it might be. And Seattle will have to plan to maybe miss the playoffs in 2025 (though there's still free agency to come).
I want Chicago Sky to get Jewell Lyod but because the Sky is being haunted (until after Clark gets her championship ring…) let’s not put Loyd in that predicament.
I love your 2nd pick though… The Aces is a great place for Loyd if Chicago doesn’t get her… I kinda don’t want the Aces to be broken up Money Martin gone now Plum might leave 😢 but hey, they already started with the staff so more disappointments are coming… 😮
Btw, I love your breakdown of all 3… you have great research skills… 🫡💚🫡
Appreciate you!! Yeah, if Vegas does part ways with KP, it's definitely going to be a little sentimental. The end of an era with those 4. We will see though, maybe they have some tricks up their sleeve!
Howd you leave out Chicago?
They were close to making it, but in the end I can't see them trading a lottery pick when they have no guarantee that she will be there after next season. Seems like too big of a gamble with the way their roster looks after the 2025 season
Awwww man. I was waiting for a Chicago trade package for Jewell. Just for fun. What do you think that would look like?
Skytown almost made the list! I just can't see them coming off the number 3 pick, particularly when JL can take off after next season, but I would certainly suspect them to pick up the phone call and ask about that 10th pick. I'm not sure that's the direction they're headed w current roster tbh, but obviously tons of time
@@WNBAnow What about trading the rights to Carter and the 10th pick? Jewell is a local girl, would be a veteran presence in the locker room and you send that crazy talented headache to Seattle and see how she meshes with a bunch of other wackos?? Plus, Loyd already has won multiple titles, and I think she wouldn't be averse to signing a long-term deal with a rebuilding team like Chicago.
Dana Evans and #10 pick
@@WNBAnow I don't think the sky needs the #3 pick as much as they need a Champion. Already running with 2 rooks. I think they will be fine with the 10th pick this season. Jeff n Marsh put big emphasis on shooters over 6 feet. Not seeing it in the top 3.
That's an interesting take as it's concerned to the 3-point shooting. I guess it depends on how much Pags and Marsh want Miles. Anything is possible, of course, I just don't see them swapping a lottery pick for a one-year contract
Connecticut Sun.
That's an interesting team for her. They will have a ton of cash, but don't really have any assets to trade for her. I'm interested to know what Bri Jones does
That's definitely not possible. lol.
Breanna Stewart is cored for a max deal, right? They've got no way to take another 250 core max contract next year.
Sab - 200k
JJ - 200k
Laney - 185k
Leo - 70k
Sab - 80k
Davis - 71k
They're at 920k with 586k leftover.
If they sign Stewart to a core max and take in Loyd, then that's 86k to fill out the rest of the roster.
They need 11 players on a roster, so who are they getting legally? Nobody.
What is a "team-friendly" contract? Vet Minimum? Stewart can't legally take something that low. Therefore, they would have to move players like Laney, JJ, or Sab to make the space to get two 250k contracts.
NYL can only core Stewart and then hope to fill in the rest with draft picks and vet min deals.
Breanna Stewart is not cored for a max deal. She was is an UFA. She loves NY and is not leaving so, unless she tell the FO to core her for the max, if she did want to add JL, she can simply sign for a way-below market deal to add her.
@WNBAnow she said she was getting cored and wanted to get it out of the way.
@WNBAnow they only got $598k to work with to sign the rest of the roster. Even without Stewart, they got to figure out how to complete the roster after getting a cored 250k JL contract. Stewart would be vet min just to have 11 players.
First of all, this team only needs 11, second of all, they're at 800k as we type these comments which means they have 700k to fill out 5 spots. 250 for JL, some vet mins and Brenna taking a healthy haircut to run back the title and try to get her fourth before new CBA. I'm not saying it's going it to happen by any means, just that's it's a viable landing spot if Breanna wants her old teammate back and (big and) the NYL FO think that puts them over the top
@@WNBAnow they are at 920k right now with their 2025 roster.
This is without Stewart.
You add 250k for JL then Stewart's whatever.
That's 1.2 million for JL, no Stewart. How much can they really fill out with that remaining contract space and get 11 players?
Chicago has a ton of money....And Loyd is from Chicago
Anything's possible, but with a new CBA after next year, it would be a heck of a gamble to take on a 1-year deal for high assets with no guarantee. I guess it would depend on the price