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Another great story.

As for the draft, I'm not sold on Iriafen as being a star in the league. She doesn't shoot threes and she's not exceptionally physical, so I think her game will have to grow for her to be an All-Star. Bueckers is the real deal, but this could easily be a one-player draft, in terms of knowing what you're getting. Players will emerge, no doubt, but counting on Oliva Miles, say, or Sonia Citron to make a difference is not advised.

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author

Yeah, I fully expected someone to take issue with me saying the prize wasn't as 'definitively transformative' this year as last. Bueckers has a chance to be as good of a player as Clark, but a) the injuries in particular mean I don't think that's any kind of sure thing, and b) it was also about what Clark was going to tranform beyond the court. Popular as she is, I don't think a dozen games are going to be moved to bigger arenas next year because Bueckers is on the road team's roster. I don't think people are going to be able to pay for their season tickets by re-selling the one game when she comes to town. So especially when none of these four teams are going to get more than a 27.6% chance for their pick to jump to #1, I'm not nearly as adamant about the benefit of missing the playoffs as I was last year with the Fever.

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I think all 4 of the teams might have coaches on the hot seat. Atlanta definitely does, Dallas is a maybe, Washington probably not and it is a 50/50 with Chicago.

Dallas might feel like now that they are healthy, they can go on a run like last year. Atlanta like you said has no reason but to go for it. Missing the playoffs probably gets the coach fired and a fire sale for everyone not named Rhyne Howard.

Chicago basically collapsed post Mabrey deal plus with all the rumors of dysfunction won't help Tspoon's job security. A playoff run would be a beneficial experience for their young core( AR, CC, MO and KC).

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How would Indiana get the #2 draft selection? Was it the result of a trade?

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I don't understand the question. Indiana aren't in the lottery and therefore won't get the #2 pick unless they trade for it. They have't had the #2 since 2022.

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I realized that the forecast on the NBA site must have been done before the Olympic break and was based on team record then and never updated. That’s why it showed Indiana with second pick.

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Thanks Richard. Alot to unpack here and you have done a terrific job. I think there is something to be said for qualifying for the playoffs even if it means a 1st round exit.

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