The expansion draft which will stock the initial roster for the Golden State Valkyries is imminent. We take a detailed look at who teams will protect, and who might be left for the Valkyries to take.
This is the most thoughtful, thorough analysis of the expansion draft that I’ve seen. I’d note as a Sky fan that I agree with you on keeping Lindsey Allen over Dana Evans (though you predict that they would protect Evans - I hope you’re wrong!). Evans is going into her fifth year, so a breakout seems unlikely regardless of Tyler Marsh’s player development skills. More fundamentally, she was replaced by Allen as the starting point guard last season because she failed at the role - she simply had no feel for the position - and the team played dramatically better with Allen at the point - but she was bitter about her benching. A player who is unaware of her strengths and weaknesses is unlikely to improve.
Yeah, I don't disagree. But Allen is the sort of solid but unspectacular veteran guard that teams always think they can improve on; Evans is the sort of speedy talent where they always think "well what if...". I could easily be wrong. Maybe Evans ends up taking a load of shots on the west coast next year.
By far the best analysis out there. Why The Athletic doesn't hire you is beyond me.
This is the most thoughtful, thorough analysis of the expansion draft that I’ve seen. I’d note as a Sky fan that I agree with you on keeping Lindsey Allen over Dana Evans (though you predict that they would protect Evans - I hope you’re wrong!). Evans is going into her fifth year, so a breakout seems unlikely regardless of Tyler Marsh’s player development skills. More fundamentally, she was replaced by Allen as the starting point guard last season because she failed at the role - she simply had no feel for the position - and the team played dramatically better with Allen at the point - but she was bitter about her benching. A player who is unaware of her strengths and weaknesses is unlikely to improve.
Yeah, I don't disagree. But Allen is the sort of solid but unspectacular veteran guard that teams always think they can improve on; Evans is the sort of speedy talent where they always think "well what if...". I could easily be wrong. Maybe Evans ends up taking a load of shots on the west coast next year.
Indeed! But if the Sky intend to draft a point guard, they might want Allen around for the transition. Of course the draft is a long way off!
Terrific insight, thanks!