On Friday, Dec 4th on ESPN, the 2021 WNBA draft lottery will take place; which will symbolize the start of the 2021 WNBA offseason. Let’s look at the top four teams who are in the running for that coveted No. 1 overall pick.
NY Liberty (Record 2-20)
After drafting superstar guard Sabrina Ionescu from Oregon, the New York Liberty were looking to make a playoff push. However, the Liberty would see those playoff hopes diminished as the team would lose Ionescu to an ankle injury for the rest of the season. The Liberty would only win two games in the 2020 season. And finish with the worst overall record in the WNBA.
The Liberty will hopefully snag that No. 1 pick to pair it with Sabrina Ionescu and No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, Asia Durr, or trade it away to bring in another outstanding veteran piece.
Indiana Fever ( Record 6-16)
After missing the playoffs by two games in 2019, the Indiana Fever under new head coach Marianne Stanley would look to build off that momentum. And get over the hump to earn a playoff spot. Like many other teams; the injury bug bit Indiana badly as they would start the summer without star guard Erica Wheeler; who they would lose for the rest of the season due to COVID-19 reasons. The unit would again surrender Victoria Vivians; for the rest of the season due to a meniscus tear she suffered in a game against the Atlanta Dream.
Key player Natalie Achonwa would also miss time with a hamstring injury. Indiana would finish the season with the second-worst record in the league; adding the No. 1 overall pick to this young roster once healthy could be what Indiana needs to make them once again a playoff commanding team.
Atlanta Dream ( Record 7-15)
Losing Angel McCoughtry to Vegas in free agency and trading Brittney Sykes to LA for Kalani Brown; it was apparent Atlanta would have to generate moves to keep them in contention in the east. Atlanta would pick up hometown native and flashy shooting guard Courtney Williams; along with veteran Forward Glory Johnson and sharpshooter Shekinna Stricklen. In addition to drafting point guard Chennedy Carter. As the league announced plans for the 2020 season to get underway; Atlanta would learn they would be without both Tiffany Hayes and Renee Montgomery; who sat out the season to continue their focus on social injustice.
It was clear from the jump that Chennedy Carter was going to be a force. However, it was Betnijah Laney who served as the biggest star for ATL. A consistent problem for Atlanta was them holding on to leads during games. With the likely return of Tiffany Hayes, Atlanta adding the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s 2021 WNBA draft lottery could be a very scary scenario for the rest of the WNBA.
Dallas ( Record 8-14)
I consider Dallas to be one of the youngest teams in the WNBA. Led by second-year guard Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas young core was on a mission to make the playoffs. Adding draftee Oregon’s versatile Forward Satou Sabally and trading for second-year guard Marina Mabrey only amplified that message. The backcourt of Arike and Marina Mabrey flourished under second-year head coach Brian Agler. And it was apparent the chemistry between those two from their college days at Notre Dame was still there.
Dallas would just miss the playoffs with an 8-14 record and in the process, they parted ways with Head Coach Brian Agler. Dallas is a young team that is very much on the rise. And including the No. 1 pick in this year’s 2021 WNBA draft lottery; only adds to a young team looking to establish a big statement!
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