hi Richard! I have a question about this section — “Or, inevitably, there will be suggestions that the No. 2 could be the start of a package to move up to No. 1 for Bueckers if she's determined to avoid playing for Dallas.”
How much choice do players have in their draft destination? Could Paige want out of Dallas before they even draft her?
I mean, in theory, none. Once you're in the draft you're supposed to be selected by whichever team wants you and go there. But Bueckers has leverage because she could stay in school an extra year, or even threaten to skip the WNBA and make her money overseas or in leagues like Unrivaled. Or in an extreme scenario, enter the draft, get drafted, then sit out a full year and re-enter the draft in 2026. There were stories floating around that she might not be particularly happy at the prospect of going to Dallas, hence all the discussion of trade scenarios. If she and her agent were to put enough pressure on and mention all these theoretical options, the most likely course of action would probably be Dallas trading the pick for everything they could get.
But the most likely scenario as I see it is still Dallas talking her into giving the Wings a shot, and if she hates it there then they'll trade her a year or two later.
Kind of a nothingburger of a blockbuster. Outside of the pick it’s almost net zero every which way.
Agree with your grades for each player and the Storm. My take is the Storms strength is in its depth.
hi Richard! I have a question about this section — “Or, inevitably, there will be suggestions that the No. 2 could be the start of a package to move up to No. 1 for Bueckers if she's determined to avoid playing for Dallas.”
How much choice do players have in their draft destination? Could Paige want out of Dallas before they even draft her?
A
I mean, in theory, none. Once you're in the draft you're supposed to be selected by whichever team wants you and go there. But Bueckers has leverage because she could stay in school an extra year, or even threaten to skip the WNBA and make her money overseas or in leagues like Unrivaled. Or in an extreme scenario, enter the draft, get drafted, then sit out a full year and re-enter the draft in 2026. There were stories floating around that she might not be particularly happy at the prospect of going to Dallas, hence all the discussion of trade scenarios. If she and her agent were to put enough pressure on and mention all these theoretical options, the most likely course of action would probably be Dallas trading the pick for everything they could get.
But the most likely scenario as I see it is still Dallas talking her into giving the Wings a shot, and if she hates it there then they'll trade her a year or two later.
ahhh, that makes perfect sense! Thank you!