This week, more major moves in free agency have shifted the landscape of the WNBA.
East to West and back again.
Hometown hero Candace Parker has left Chicago with a championship and a legendary legacy. But now she’s an Ace for the reigning WNBA champs in Las Vegas. Reuniting with Chelsea Gray, a former Los Angeles Sparks star and Finals MVP.
It feels so good. Especially after last weeks’ Dearica Hamby drama and fallout. Now with Candace and new trade asset Amanda Zahui B., LV are even bigger in the middle than when they had both MVP A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage. Someone who can still play if she’s given another chance.
The Sky in Chicago also lost one of the W’s best vets and winners in Courtney Vandersloot. Although at press time, her destination remains unknown. She penned a beautiful farewell letter on social media to make it official. Sloot found a ring and her wife during her time with the Windy City. Neither player nor franchise will ever forget about each other.
The Mystics continued to get better in DC, even after losing out on some significant sweepstakes. They’ve just made a steal, snapping up defensive specialist Brittney Sykes from the Sparks. A sure-fire DPOY candidate next season, armed with an offensive arsenal, she’ll be missed in LA (just like Kristi Tolliver), even with the LAX arrival of Hamby. At least Los Angeles re-upped with scorching shooter Lexie Brown.
The biggest prize of WNBA free agency lay with its biggest player. Now, after weeks of emojis, Breanna Stewart has stripped away her warm-ups to reveal her destination.
You recognize Lady Liberty, right? Stewie will now take her talents to New York. Shining bright like her name in Empire State Building lights. Taking a bite out of the Big Apple, the instant contenders for the chip now boast a brand new big-three. Breanna, the star-studded Jonquel Jones and the future of the association, Sabrina Ionescu.
Get ready to rock the Liberty Equality jersey like justice for all.
We can’t wait for next season’s finals. A potential blockbuster event if a pair of super teams from two of the world’s most famous cities in the United States of America make it.
Credit Brooklyn Net superstar Kevin Durant for his recruiting of Stewart, too. KD and Stewie will now share a Barclays Centre home in the BK.
The dynasty that reigned in Seattle now seems to have come to an end. Especially with the retirement of their GOAT lifer Sue Bird. But even without Stewie and Suey there’s enough to survive the drought. Like Gold Mamba Jewell Loyd and the drive of Mercedes Russell.
Not to mention the fact that Vandersloot still hasn’t found her new career offshoot.
WNBA free agency is far from over.
