After the retirement of four of their stars as a result of the execution of their dynasty, Lynx could have decided to rebuild.
Maybe this is the time when they do so late.
They enter New York in a Sunday match with 2-8 records, numerous injuries, and attacks that often produce more turnovers than assists.
Their best player in terms of historical influence, Sylvia Fowles, is in her last season. Her prime and best player, Napheesa Collier, will miss at least most of the season due to her newborn baby. One of their most important players, Damiris Dantas, hasn’t played this season. Their only pure WNBA caliber point guard, Moria Jefferson, has already injured his hands and hamstrings in a short stint in Minnesota.
If it sounds like a rebuild recipe, there are eight reasons why Lynx tries to compete rather than play in a draft position.
1. A bad start is not fatal in the WNBA. Like most leagues, W designed the extended playoffs. Eight of the 12 teams in the league will participate.
Last year, Lynx started 0-4 for the same reason that it was 2-8 this year. Due to the late arrival of key players and many injuries, I searched for a command point guard during the season. Since then, he has won 22 of the last 28 games, won the league’s third seed, and hosted the playoff game. Recovery is optional.
2. Postseason execution is still possible. The current version of Lynx is hard to see, but last year Chicago Sky experienced seven consecutive losses, losing four of the last six games and ending the regular season 16-16.
Chicago then defeated Lynx at the Target Center to win the WNBA title. Talented teams that get healthy at the right time can do damage in the playoffs.
3. Lynx is talented. Lynx rotation shows what it looks like theoretically by the postseason. Jefferson, Kayla McBride, Aerial Powers, Collier, Fowles, Dantas, Jessica Shepard, Rachel Banham, Bridget Carleton. It will be a dangerous team.
4. Lynx has a pedigree. Given basketball and business operations, people in the league office said Lynx was a WNBA model franchise. Tanking means reducing fan interest in a highly competitive market.
5. Tanking may not work. Best for Lynx and the league is to tank in the way that led Minnesota to draft Hopkins and UConn star Page Bookers.
The Bookers are eligible for the 2023 Draft, but it’s unclear if they will leave UConn before they expire. In addition, the four WNBA non-playoff teams will participate in the draft draw. In other words, losing all games doesn’t mean you can win the first pick.
6. Fowles farewell. Lynx director Cheryl Reeve is interested in heritage. Lynx has just retired from a number of former stars Simon Augustus, but Augustus left as a free agent with apparently harsh emotions to sign a deal with Lynx’s biggest rival, Los Angeles.
Fowles has announced her retirement, which will take effect at the end of the season. Reeve wants to offer every opportunity to play meaningful and post-season games before Fowles leaves.
7. There is a record offshore. Lynx has played off for 11 consecutive seasons. This is the WNBA’s longest active streak and one shy of Indiana’s record from 2005 to 2016. Why are you quitting now?
8. Next year is the year of tanks. If Lynx is aiming for a high draft pick, next year will be a year to test that strategy. The bird disappears. Still, I don’t expect Lynx to enter the season under Reeve with the intention of losing as many games as possible.
This team is talented. With a little health and continuity, Lynx can run this year and next year.
