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u/Darex2094 Phoenix Mercury 14d ago
Love Maddy!
BUT... what exactly are we doing here? This seems extremely random.
I can't help but wonder if this actually is DB's last season, and if so, is the front office preparing for AT to dip along with her. IF that's the case, I can see this potentially being the start of building a 2027 team around KP, but that being said, KP hasn't signed the extension and I don't know if we've really done anything to make her want to stay besides having good facilities. I also don't see how Maddy would synergize with KP specifically.
And that's all predicated on the assumption that DB is planning to dip and AT along with her.
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u/passing_strangers Phoenix Mercury 14d ago
The point is probably they don’t think suarez moves well enough/fouls too much to be a big/ play in this style (she should be lighting it up from 3 but they don’t have “trusted” size) and mack has not been the same since coming back (i think she is dealing with a back issue as well)
Re db/at: db signed a one year contract and i think she probably hangs it up. I think AT should request a trade and mat should request the resignation of nate. But AT is under contract for 2 more years (kah for one)
By signing westbeld to a contract they will have her rights for next year, which can’t hurt considering the plum trade cost us a first rounder. So they got her rights for free.
The biggest issue this year was a lack of bench production. This happened in part because of injury/absences (whitcomb, mack, westbeld, nogic) so bringing in depth for next season is important. It’s also noteworthy that she has played in the w (albeit not much)and is not just someone they scouted in europe. She is also going to play in australia this winter, which has been good for player development.
Tldr: it really can’t hurt. Plus with more rights held you have more chips for trades
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u/artificialgraymatter Choo Choo 🚂 13d ago
Why the fuck would AT retire? Lmao. She is signed through 2028.
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u/Darex2094 Phoenix Mercury 13d ago
I didn't say she would retire. I implied she would try to trade to a team closer to home.
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u/artificialgraymatter Choo Choo 🚂 10d ago
What home? DB has a home in PHX and another home in Tennessee.
If you mean back east, why sign three years with Mercury? AT doesn’t like change. It already took too long to leave CT. She’s retiring here.
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u/cstewie1892 14d ago
I mean eh.. I could be talked into excitement.
Admittedly I haven’t kept up with her but every time ive seen her against the Merc she doesn’t even crack the rotation?
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u/strangelystrangled Phoenix Mercury | missing BG 14d ago
She's been on a dev spot and hasn't gotten activated much. We have an open roster spot, why not give her a test run?
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u/artificialgraymatter Choo Choo 🚂 13d ago
It’s nothing exciting. They’ve signed and moved in and out a bunch of wings and undersized bigs. She’ll be a guaranteed body in camp next season though. He probably has designs for her similar to Kat—Kat lite and no where near the defense. Kat won’t be able to make any sort of significant contribution until mid season at the earliest if we’re being optimistic.
Valou, DB, Kat, Maddy, Marta are all players who play 3-5 in Nate’s system. Too small for the post in a lot of matchups but also too big/slow to guard the perimeter. So, it’s nothing to be excited about until there is more movement. I don’t see her doing any better than those players above. At the same time if they’re dropped or leave next year then she could be a decent 8th option.
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u/Capable-Bike-2297 13d ago
I’m not totally against it. At least it’s now another guard and she is does bring size and can score. That should help Copper and KP. We still need a center and some more young quick talent.
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u/PersonnelFowl Phoenix Mercury 14d ago
It can’t be any worse! 💜🧡