Seattle Storm in Win-Now Mode forward of WNBA Draft

Because the 2025 WNBA Draft approaches on Monday, the Seattle Storm have reiterated that they’re in win-now mode after buying the No.2 total choose by a three-team commerce. 

The Storm will characteristic a returning core of Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike within the frontcourt and Skylar Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams within the backcourt. Along with this formidable lineup, the squad has strengthened its roster by free company by including guard Erica Wheeler.

Regardless of shedding Jewell Loyd and gaining the No. 2 total choose on this yr’s draft, the returns of Alysha Clark and Katie Lou Samuelson will additional improve Seattle’s depth and aggressive edge. Moreover, the Storm have three first-round picks within the 2026 WNBA Draft, two of which they’ve acquired from Las Vegas and Los Angeles by trades.

“We’re actually excited for the expertise that we will add,” Seattle Storm basic supervisor Talisa Rhea mentioned Thursday. “We’re in a singular spot to have the ability to add a participant that may be capable to contribute to a win-now mode. As we went by free company, we constructed a roster to attempt to win-now, whereas accumulating some draft picks for the longer term, we consider that at two we will get a participant that may assist us this yr, in addition to the long run.”

When placing collectively a crew that may compete for a WNBA Championship, the Storm are in a necessity for a guard to contribute along with the gamers they introduced in from the offseason.

Why Dominique Malonga Would Be a Good Match for the Seattle Storm in 2025

ESPN ladies’s basketball analyst and Corridor of Famer Rebecca Lobo praised French forward-center Dominique Malonga for her play fashion, versatility, and athleticism. Moreover, final yr, Malonga turned the primary lady to dunk in a recreation within the French league.

Malonga was moreover a part of the French nationwide crew that gained a silver medal within the Paris Olympics.  Though they battled in an in depth recreation in opposition to america within the gold medal match final summer time, Williams sadly had her foot over the road in a recreation tying shot.  Malonga is conversant in some WNBA faces, together with Williams and New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes.

“I have been watching movie of her, and I am unable to wait to get my eyes on her in particular person,” Lobo mentioned. “To see a 6 foot 6 participant with the flexibility that she has, the power to return off flare screens and hit threes at her measurement and her size. We have seen her together with her dunk within the within the French league. The way in which she will be able to transfer in area, she’s an unimaginable expertise, and I am wanting to see the belief is that she’s going to go as excessive as quantity two. I am actually wanting to see her taking part in within the W.”

Furthermore,  Seattle Storm has familiarity with drafting worldwide bigs.  In 2001, they chose Australian energy ahead and heart Lauren Jackson at first total. Jackson went on to win three Most Priceless Participant awards and led the crew to 2 championships in 2004 and 2010.

Ought to Seattle determine to go in a distinct course, Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron is an alternative choice.  Citron’s potential to make three-pointers, alongside together with her defensive and rebounding abilities, would match properly with the Storm. It might be a useful elevate contemplating the Storm ranked final within the WNBA with a 28.8 3-point share in 2024.

Regardless of lacking out on Olivia Miles, who not too long ago introduced that she would forgo the 2025 Draft and switch to TCU, Seattle might choose Malonga or Citron to fill Loyd’s departure.

The Seattle Storm are optimistic about successful their fifth championship in franchise historical past. On the identical time, they’re targeted on constructing for the longer term with the first-round picks they’ve acquired for subsequent yr’s draft, together with the second total choose.