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 means of a three-team commerce.Â
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 means of free company by including guard Erica Wheeler.
Regardless of dropping 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 means of trades.
“We’re actually excited for the expertise that we will add,” Seattle Storm common supervisor Talisa Rhea stated Thursday. “We’re in a novel spot to have the ability to add a participant that can be capable to contribute to a win-now mode. As we went by means of 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 can assist us this yr, in addition to the long run.”
When placing collectively a workforce 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 Excellent Match for the Seattle Storm in 2025
ESPN girls’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 grew to become the primary lady to dunk in a sport within the French league.
Malonga was moreover a part of the French nationwide workforce that gained a silver medal within the Paris Olympics. Though they battled in an in depth sport towards america within the gold medal match final summer time, Williams sadly had her foot over the road in a sport tying shot. Malonga is accustomed to 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 individual,” Lobo stated. “To see a 6 foot 6 participant with the flexibility that she has, the power to come back off flare screens and hit threes at her measurement and her size. We have seen her along with her dunk within the within the French league. The best way she will transfer in area, she’s an unimaginable expertise, and I am desperate to see the belief is that she’s going to go as excessive as quantity two. I am actually desperate 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 Worthwhile Participant awards and led the workforce to 2 championships in 2004 and 2010.
Ought to Seattle resolve to move in a unique path, Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron is an alternative choice. Citron’s potential to make three-pointers, alongside along with her defensive and rebounding abilities, would match properly with the Storm. It might be a useful raise contemplating the Storm ranked final within the WNBA with a 28.8 3-point proportion in 2024.
Regardless of lacking out on Olivia Miles, who just lately 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.
