We are back for another week of WNBA season previews. With the draft now complete, the rosters are set. So once a week until the season is back, I will be looking at one team. I will discuss their changes and what to expect from them this season.
To build up, I will be going in reverse order from the standings a season ago. Getting into the real contenders, do not sleep on the Washington Mystics. They flew under the radar for much of last season before entering the postseason with a momentum that was only halted by one last flash from a franchise icon. Now, they might be even better.
2022 Recap
As one of the class franchises in the league, there was hype coming into the 2022 season. Sure, there was some concern over the health of franchise icon Elena Delle Donne. The former two-time MVP had only played three games since winning a title in 2019, so it was tough to know what to expect.
EDD played 25 of 36 games and competed at an All-Star level (despite being snubbed). She averaged 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game. As one of the most efficient two-way stars of any era, Delle Donne was a standout for a team full of them.
Natasha Cloud led the league in assists and took another step forward as one of the best guards in the league. Ariel Atkins was the team’s lone All-Star and did a little bit of everything for the team.
All in all, what ended up being coach Mike Thibault’s final season was a fun one. Washington was a problem for every team on a nightly basis and posted the best defensive rating in the league. If they had finished a little higher in the standings they would have presented problems for any of the higher seeds in a second-round outing.
The veteran core is impressive enough. Add in the rookie dynamo that wreaked havoc last season, and look out.
Rookie Wall Who?
As someone who picked Shakira Austin to win Rookie of the Year last year, the impressive start to her career was no surprise. Despite coming into the season expected to be a reserve on a team with talented bigs, Austin could not be denied for long. It only took two weeks for her to break into the starting lineup and never look back.
Austin is a transformational defensive force. She can block out the sun and rotate with ease, locking down any section of the floor the team needs her to. Given the elite defensive talent on the roster, this adaptability obviously endeared her to teammates and the coaching staff alike.
Her offensive game is even more refined than many expected coming out of college. There was always the expectation that she would be able to turn into a two-way force, but being able to compete with legends in year one was a nice surprise.
Perhaps more important, Austin developed chemistry up and down the roster. Myisha Hines-Allen is one of the few other young players on the roster to get significant minutes. They pair well off the bench and unlock each other’s offensive games.
This season will be a big opportunity for Austin. Washington has doubled down on its defensive identity. Austin, in my eyes, will be a Defensive Player of the Year within the next few seasons. This season will work to build that reputation while also refining her offensive game on a team that will only need her to be, on most nights, the third option at best.
Offseason Overview
Out: Rui Machida, Alysha Clark, Elizabeth Williams
In: Brittney Sykes, Amanda Zahui B.
Re-Signed: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Tianna Hawkins
2023 Draft: Elena Tsineke, Txell Alarcon
With Mike Thibault leaving the team, it is now his son Eric’s time to take the lead. Luckily for him, this team looks even better than last year. Alysha Clark was not quite herself coming off her the injury that caused her to miss her first season with the team. Rui Machida was a nice spark off the bench, but the team can manage. Elizabeth Williams is a pro’s pro, but again, replaceable.
Brittany Sykes is arguably the best defender in the league and will no longer be required to always be the best defender on her own team. A potential line-up of Atkins-Sykes-Cloud-Delle-Donne-Austin would be a monster to deal with on both sides of the ball. If they only play two of the guards, newly acquired Amanda Zahui B. could make for an interesting two-big pairing.
It is impossible to talk about the draft without talking about the Stephanie Soares trade, not just from a Mystics’ standpoint, but for the league overall. This is the culmination of a multi-year asset amalgamation.
Last year, Washington traded from one to three (landing Austin) while giving up another first this year to add swap rights this year. Then they moved this pick for a second in 2024 and a first in the loaded 2025 class. Moving out of the first round of a draft many are unimpressed with for one that teams are salivating to get into should be applauded.
Prediction:
It would come as a surprise to no one if Washington is able to make a run to the Finals. While they may not have had as splashy of free agency periods as New York and Las Vegas, this is a loaded roster.
Austin is going to make a push to make her first All-Star Game. Sykes, Delle Donne, Cloud and Atkins will all have cases as well. Washington will have the best defense in the league again. Delle Donne will return to 50/40/90 form. Finally, DC will ruin the dream FInals, knocking off one of the presumptive favorites.
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