The Minnesota Lynx are coming off of a 14-8 season that was ultimately ended in the semifinals by the Seattle Storm. The Lynx have made several offseason moves to put them into a better spot to win in 2021. Here is the Minnesota Lynx 2021 Season Preview.
Free Agent Signings
Minnesota made sure its presence was known in the free-agent market. Both Kayla McBride and Aerial Powers signed three-year $588,801 contracts. Natalie Achonwa also signed a three-year contract worth $479,600. All three of these players look to be key contributors in the upcoming season.
Achonwa has spent the last six seasons with the Indiana Fever. She contributed 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while these numbers may not compare to teammate Sylvia Fowles, Achonwa will still be an asset coming off of the bench.
Both McBride and Powers are projected to be starters this season. Powers was off to a strong start last season before going down with a hamstring injury. In the six games she played, she averaged 16.3 points adding a much-needed spark to the Mystics offense. Although she primarily plays as a small forward, she is also capable of being a shooting guard. This should add some versatility to the Lynx’s lineup.
Signing three-time All-Star McBride fills the need for another guard after losing a few in the offseason. Although her points and assists per game may have dropped the last two seasons, the Aces winning percentage has gone up. This shows McBride’s selflessness and willingness to put the team before herself.
Key Losses
The Lynx have parted ways with several players that were on the team last year. 2020 first-round draft pick Mikiah Herbert Harrigan was traded to Seattle. Although her numbers were not pretty and she struggled early. Herbert Harrigan showed a lot of potential once she developed her confidence in the second half of the 2020 season.
Three guards Lexie Brown, Odyssey Sims, and Shenise Johnson are also no longer with the team. Brown was waived on April 17. She has a lot of tenacity on both sides of the ball, and it will be tough to replace her. All three of these players started at some point for the Lynx. Without them and the depth they provided, there is potential for the Lynx to struggle.
Rennia Davis and Undrafted Rookie Signings
As mentioned in a previous article, Cheryl Reeve thinks very highly of Rennia Davis. Reeve believes Davis will be great coming off the bench this upcoming season. However, on May 1st it was reported by the Lynx PR, Davis sustained a stress fracture to her left foot. Here is the full release on Davis’s injury.
The Lynx also added Asheika Alexander to a training camp contract. Alexander has flown under the radar because she did not attend a school in a power conference. Instead attending the HBCU Langston University. This is exactly why Reeve brought Alexander into camp. She put up great numbers and deserved a chance at making a regular-season roster. This is the first time in the history of the Lynx franchise that they signed a player from an HBCU.
Selena Lott has also performed very well in college. Last season she made the All-Big East First Team and Big East Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Lott surprisingly went undrafted and if she makes the team she will help recuperate the depth that was lost in the offseason.
2021 Season Projections
Four starters are returning this season; 2020 Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield, 2019 Rookie of the Year Napheesa Collier, 2017 MVP Sylvia Fowles, and Damiris Dantas.
- Frontcourt
- Natalie Achonwa
- Bridget Carleton
- Napheesa Collier
- Damiris Dantas
- Rennia Davis (Injury)
- Sylvia Fowles
- Aerial Powers
- Backcourt
- Asheika Alexander
- Rachel Banham
- Crystal Dangerfield
- Selena Lott
- Kayla McBride
*roster is unofficial
Although the backcourt looks very strong, there is a lack of depth at the guard position. This could be problematic come playoff time. The Lynx will be exciting to watch this year, as several new players need to build chemistry with each other to be successful.
Thanks for reading Minnesota Lynx 2021 Season Preview. For more articles regarding women’s sports check out Beyond Women’s Sports. And follow me on Twitter @CAman520.
