Nneka had one great year way back in 2016. Since then she's been very good but not quite great. Ogwumike is better than Howard, but is the difference enough to justify giving up a huge package of assets? Historically, the going rate for a superstar in her 20's is three 1st Rd picks. Nneka turns 33 next season. You're suggesting NY trade a current All-Star who is one year younger, plus their 2023 1st Rd pick, their 2022 1st Rd pick (Sabally), plus Carrera, Kone, Fauthoux, and maybe their 2024 pick? Based on past blockbuster trades (EDD, Charles, Fowles, etc.) that's way overpaying... and for a much older player. Adding Stewart and Sabally will already improve NY's low post scoring. While getting more steals would be nice, I don't think it's crucial. Howard is the better defender and rim protector, so that offsets Nneka's steals. Coach Brondello has said that what the team really needs is someone who can create off the dribble and get to the rim. If NY is going to spend a lot of assets in a trade, Skylar Diggins-Smith would be a better target. She appears available, and fits the Liberty's needs as described by Brondello. Yes, Skylar is a diva, but from the outside it looks like she played two drama-free seasons for Sandy in Phoenix. SDS and Stewie would also help the Liberty in another impactful area where they really need improvement -- getting to the free throw line. NY doesn't actually have a starter at PG right now. Dangerfield had the most starts, but she was clearly a stopgap. Johannes is always a question mark to return because of national team duty and because the French league ends their season the latest. Having Skylar fill the void at PG would be much more impactful than replacing Howard with Ogwumike.
If I am New York, I would not give up the FARM for Nneka, PERIOD. She had the oppunity to move and didn't, so Nneka and the Sparks are stuck like chuck. I don't think the Liberty will have spend a lot ofassests to trade for Skylar. The Mercury can't be picky, for me the Mercury should take an offer of the Liberty's 2023 6th pick and two players or 2023 1st rounder and 2024 1st rounder. Sky is a Free Agent after 2023, so get what you can, why you can.
Nneka had one great year way back in 2016. Since then she's been very good but not quite great. Ogwumike is better than Howard, but is the difference enough to justify giving up a huge package of assets? Historically, the going rate for a superstar in her 20's is three 1st Rd picks. Nneka turns 33 next season. You're suggesting NY trade a current All-Star who is one year younger, plus their 2023 1st Rd pick, their 2022 1st Rd pick (Sabally), plus Carrera, Kone, Fauthoux, and maybe their 2024 pick? Based on past blockbuster trades (EDD, Charles, Fowles, etc.) that's way overpaying... and for a much older player. Adding Stewart and Sabally will already improve NY's low post scoring. While getting more steals would be nice, I don't think it's crucial. Howard is the better defender and rim protector, so that offsets Nneka's steals. Coach Brondello has said that what the team really needs is someone who can create off the dribble and get to the rim. If NY is going to spend a lot of assets in a trade, Skylar Diggins-Smith would be a better target. She appears available, and fits the Liberty's needs as described by Brondello. Yes, Skylar is a diva, but from the outside it looks like she played two drama-free seasons for Sandy in Phoenix. SDS and Stewie would also help the Liberty in another impactful area where they really need improvement -- getting to the free throw line. NY doesn't actually have a starter at PG right now. Dangerfield had the most starts, but she was clearly a stopgap. Johannes is always a question mark to return because of national team duty and because the French league ends their season the latest. Having Skylar fill the void at PG would be much more impactful than replacing Howard with Ogwumike.
If I am New York, I would not give up the FARM for Nneka, PERIOD. She had the oppunity to move and didn't, so Nneka and the Sparks are stuck like chuck. I don't think the Liberty will have spend a lot ofassests to trade for Skylar. The Mercury can't be picky, for me the Mercury should take an offer of the Liberty's 2023 6th pick and two players or 2023 1st rounder and 2024 1st rounder. Sky is a Free Agent after 2023, so get what you can, why you can.