I’m really glad that Diamond and Sophie (and Shey and Meg and basically everyone on the roster rn) are with the Mercury because I feel like Diana brings out the best in them in ways that other teams might not have been able to. There’s just something special about her, and that as much as the scoring is what makes her the goat imho
She always has a positive impact on rookies, overlooked overseas players, 2nd rounders, and players in a slump. She can make them feel and play like all-stars. Her confidence and energy is very infectious. She sees potential in her teammates and helps them to realize that potential.
There are players she's worked with for years and years. But even players who come play in Phoenix for a year or two feel that impact. I read an article about Shatori Walker Kimbrough who was only a Mercury for the bubble season. She talked about how Diana pestering her in practice helped her get over a plateau. Between the WNBA and overseas, there's probably a hundred players with stories like that.
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2020 WNBA Mock Draft 3.0
1. New York Liberty- Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon)
This is no brainer. She is the first player in NCAA history to have 2k points, 1k assists and 1k rebounds. She will not only bring talent to New York, but much needed hype and publicity. With their move to Brooklyn, this is perfect timing for the Liberty. She will rejuvenate the organization and fan base after 2 disappointing seasons.
2. Dallas Wings- Satou Sabally (Oregon)
Early mock drafts had Lauren Cox going to her home town Wings, but with Sabally declaring early that changes things. Sabally has all the tools to be an MVP in the WNBA. She is a versatile big who can play as a guard. Sue Bird and Skylar Diggins- Smith have said Sabally is the most pro ready player in college right now. Dallas has acquired players who are versatile and can run the floor. Sabally is all of this and more.
3. Indiana Fever- Lauren Cox (Baylor)
Cox is an elite shot blocker. If Indiana has her coming off the bench, they will have some of the best rim protection in the league. If she plays with McCowan on the floor she also has the ability to stretch the floor and hit from the 3. She is also a great passer from the post. There isn’t much she can’t do. Lauren Cox is also a Type 1 Diabetic, and will be the first diabetic in the WNBA. As a type 1 diabetic myself this is great for me to see. I wish I had a female diabetic athlete to look up to when I was younger.
4. Atlanta Dream- Chennedy Carter (Texas A&M)
This pick can go one of two ways: they draft for talent or for need. With all the off-season moves they made it doesn’t seem like they have many needs. One hole I see is bench scoring. Carter is perfect for off the bench scoring. She can create her own shot and seems to be able to score at will. Atlanta as a team struggled offensively last year, so having depth is going to be important if their starting five starts to struggle scoring.
5. Dallas Wings- Tyasha Harris (South Carolina)
Originally I had Harris going to Dallas as the 7th pick, but given her being named to the First All- American team, I think her stock has risen. She is a consistent scorer who is an above average defender. Head coach Brian Agler is someone who values defense. Harris was a big reason the Gamecocks were the number one team in the country.
6. Minnesota Lynx- Crystal Dangerfield (Connecticut)
Minnesota has been the most quiet this off season. Augustus is off to Los Angeles, Odyssey Sims is pregnant and most likely to miss all of the 2020 season, and Danielle Robinson signed with the Aces. The Lynx are in desperate need of a guard. Her assist numbers are down this year, but Dangerfield has the ability to be an elite passer. She is also a sharp shooter who isn’t afraid to launch from way downtown. She was also teammates with Napheesa Collier for three years, so they already have chemistry. If Tyasha Harris is still available by this pick, then she could very well be taken by Minnesota instead.
7. Dallas Wings- Bella Alarie (Princeton)
Alarie wasn’t in my first mock draft, so what changed? I recently listen to this interview with the Wings GM, and he said Dallas values versatile players, and they prioritize defense. Alarie can be compared to Elena Delle Donne and Candace Parker. She also has the most blocks in Princeton program history. I think Alarie will be somebody who sneaks under the radar. It’s also very possible this pick gets traded before draft night, so who knows if Dallas will even have this pick. But Alarie definitely has the ability to be a sleeper pick and be successful in this league.
8. Chicago Sky- Mikayla Pivec (Oregon St.)
Pivec is a versatile guard who plays bigger than her height. Very similar to Sky Guard/Forward Gabby Williams. She is currently shooting 51% from the floor, and grabs rebounds like a power forward/center. She is also a great passer. The Sky don’t have any glaring holes to fill, so a versatile player like Pivec is a great player to have on the bench for whatever problems may arise. This is somewhere Kiah Gillespie could also end up.
Chicago could also draft the best available player, who could easily be Megan Walker. No matter who they draft, they won’t be more than a bench warmer.
9. New York Liberty- Ruthy Hebard (Oregon)
This is where things start to change. With Tina Charles gone, they will most likely go for a forward here. With Ionescu all but a guarantee at the number one pick, they could go for Ruthy Hebard here. They already have incredible chemistry and the Liberty could look to continue that. If a franchise is rebuilding, having guaranteed chemistry is priceless. They could also go for Mompremier who is more versatile.
I’m going to take a chance and say New York is going to go with Hebard. If they have someone else in mind, they could risk picking her up with the 12th pick if they think she will still be available.
10. Phoenix Mercury- Megan Walker (Connecticut)
I was very surprised to see Walker is declaring early. I think she is someone who could have benefited from her senior year. I believe she would have been a top three pick in the 2021 draft. I think she will be a perfect fit in Phoenix. I think it’s time Phoenix starts to think about life after Diana Taurasi. Walker would be a great protege to Taurasi. She can score with ease, and is a terrific spot up shooter. She could very easily be drafted earlier, or could even slip to the second round. That is how volatile and wide open this draft is.
11. Seattle Storm- Te’a Cooper (Baylor)
Cooper was phenomenal for Baylor this season. She is a floor general who is also capable of being a scorer when her team needs it. Seattle doesn’t have any holes to fill in their roster, so this pick looks to be a bench warmer no matter who they pick. With Sue Bird having who knows how many seasons left, having a young point guard is never a bad idea for the Storm.
12. New York Liberty- Kaila Charles (Maryland)
New York received Tayler Hill and Shatori Walker- Kimbrough in the Tina Charles trade. They are both guards, and if they draft Ionescu, I can’t imagine they would pick another guard here. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hill doesn’t make the final roster. She has a big contract for someone who has barely played these past two seasons.
Therefore I think New York will go for someone who can play the 2 and 3. This comes down to Kaila Charles and Kiah Gillespie. One or both could still be available at this point. But if Charles is available I think they should go with her. She is a great defender and shot 50% from the field this season. This could ultimately go both ways.
Thoughts?
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