The Washington Mystics face a scenario unlike any other team this off-season. Their entire free agency and who they draft, or trade, with the first overall pick comes down to the health of Elena Delle Donne. Having played in just three games in the past two years, the Mystics failed to make the playoffs in 2021 after winning a title in 2019. Without Delle Donne for 2022, Tina Charles, the Mystics superstar in 2021, should look to chase after a championship elsewhere.
Charles had her best offensive season in 2021 averaging 23.4 points per game. Even if Delle Donne plays this season, the Mystics face a salary cap issue, and Charles could look to another team for more money.
Beyond Women’s Sports takes a look at two potential landing spots for Charles and where she’d be able to finally win a championship. Todd Roman, @TBRBWAY, and Nov, @WNBAUncut, breakdown two teams that Charles should look to go to to get her ring.
Todd Roman
The team that was a game away from advancing to the WNBA Finals last year. The Las Vegas Aces. This being under the assumption that 2020 MVP A’ja Wilson re-signs with them and that Liz Cambage opts to take her talents elsewhere. New Aces’ head coach Becky Hammon may decide that the Cambage era in Las Vegas needs to end and look to bring in a different dominant post player. Tina Charles fills the void as the best fit to play alongside Wilson. Salary cap wise, Charles could take a near max deal with Vegas, something the Mystics are unlikely to give her. Reports are that Riquna Williams is expected to return to the Aces.
Depth was an issue for the Aces during the play-offs. Dearica Hamby was injured and Cambage was still recovering from COVID-19 and wasn’t in top condition. Charles also tends to be more committed than Cambage is in general and would bring a more professional aspect to the Aces’ roster. The Aces would still have a whole to fill at the small forward position. Is Jackie Young their best option? Does Hamby slide into the starting line-up full-time? Can they find someone in this draft with the eleventh overall pick? Does their first round pick from 2021 show up (Iliana Rupert)? The Aces, though likely to field an eleven player roster again, should still have enough cap space to bring in a post via free agency.
Charles’ ability to play more of an outside game and hit her jumpers while allowing Wilson to work inside the paint could be a defensive challenge for opponents. Having Charles also capable of hitting from three is something that’s been a weakness for Vegas for some years. Charles shot a career high of 36.5 percent from deep in 2021. If Hammon and the Aces can build a deep bench, Tina could be looking at her first WNBA Finals appearance and potential championship.
Nov
When it Comes to Tina Charles, she has won every award under the sun. Except for a WNBA championship. Charles is the only WNBA MVP to not win a championship. Being an unrestricted free agent this upset season, here are some teams that could end up with the All-Star Center.
The Windy City
The speculation around the Chicago Sky is the departure of Stefanie Dolson and Diamond DeShields. This frees up cap space could help land them Charles. If this change were to happen, it would pair Charles up with Candace Parker in Chicago’s front court. It would also add depth to Chicago’s bench, as Azura Stevens would move to the bench.
In order for this change to happen, unrestricted free agents Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot, along with core player Kahleah Copper, might have to take less in salary when it comes time to sign. If this move happens, Chicago could very well defend their championship and become the first team to repeat since the Los Angeles Sparks in 2001 and 2002.
Staying Put
The health of Delle Donne in Washington has a lot of importance in what decisions the Mystics will make during the free agency period. Delle Donne missed almost all the 2022 WNBA season, which saw the Mystics miss the playoffs with a 12-20 record. That record helped Washington secure the 1st round selection in the 2022 draft. Charles could stay right where she is with a healthy Delle Donne, along with a first round draft pick. If that happens, it puts Washington right back in championship contention.
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