WNBA Trade Deadline Approaches
As the WNBA trade deadline approaches in just over a week, teams have until August 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET to finalize trades before 70% of the regular season is behind them. Cole Huff recently highlighted that the Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics are likely to pursue trades; the Wings find themselves among the bottom teams in the league, while the Mystics are reportedly considering offers for promising forward Aaliyah Edwards.
Recent Team Movements
On the flip side, the New York Liberty have already made significant moves, securing free agent Emma Meesseman, a Belgian star and WNBA Finals MVP from 2019, who is set to join the team in August. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx face challenges after losing Karlie Samuelson for the remainder of the season due to injury. The Seattle Storm, currently fifth in the standings, have underperformed offensively, ranking ninth, and need to step up if they hope for a successful playoff journey.
Injury Concerns and Player Safety
Amidst the tightening schedule, the WNBA has been grappling with a wave of injuries among key players. Recently, Kayla Thornton of Golden State underwent season-ending knee surgery, while Angel Reese has been sidelined with a back issue, and Breanna Stewart suffered a calf strain during a game against the Sparks. Additionally, Caitlin Clark is still recovering from a groin injury, and league MVP Napheesa Collier is managing discomfort in her shoulder, which has required her to wear a wrap for relief.
This surge in injuries is prompting discussions about player safety, particularly in light of criticisms regarding inconsistent officiating. However, the broader concern lies in the nature of the WNBA’s scheduling. Since 2021, the regular season games increased by 37.5%, yet the length of the season remains relatively unchanged. Season players are now cramming more games into a compressed timeline, leading to a hectic pace. For instance, four out of the six teams this past week played back-to-back games, a troubling trend noted by ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. The struggles of maintaining player health and performance under these conditions demand immediate attention in upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) discussions.
Sabally from the Mercury recently articulated the players’ desire to enhance safety measures in collaboration with the league, emphasizing the importance of a sustainable structure. The current setup, which entails 44 games in just over four months, is increasingly difficult for players, hindering their performance and exposing them to higher injury risks.
Upcoming Matchups
Turning to this week’s matchups, the games carry potential playoff ramifications with closely-ranked teams squaring off against each other. The Liberty and Lynx, set to meet on Wednesday, have much to prove amidst injury concerns, particularly for New York as they may be without both Stewart and Sabally, while Minnesota has been managing the absence of Samuelson.
Furthermore, the Golden State Valkyries will clash with the Washington Mystics on Thursday, both struggling to maintain their playoff hopes. Finally, fans can expect an exciting rematch when the Mercury visit Atlanta on Friday, with Brittney Griner looking to shine once again against her former team. The Fever and Storm‘s duel will also be vital, as the Fever boasts one of the top offenses against the defensive prowess of the Storm, making for an intriguing contest in Seattle.
The WNBA continues to push for heightened competitiveness amid injuries and performance challenges as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
