After Loyd trade, what happens next for Storm?
Building a roster for now and the future in Seattle
When the recent investigation into the Storm coaching staff concluded, it was just hours later that All-Star Jewell Loyd requested a trade. Clearly Loyd was not happy with the results of the investigation and thus no longer happy in Seattle. After two WNBA championships, six All-Star berths, and one first team All-WNBA selection, the Storm’s best player wanted out. This put Seattle in a bind as trading a player who everyone knows wants to be traded certainly lowers one’s leverage in the market.
After quiet weeks and the launch of Unrivaled, all of a sudden WNBA rumors took off. As soon as the rumor started of Loyd wanting to play in Las Vegas, the deal was complete. While trading away one of the league’s top scorers doesn’t seem ideal, the return in the trade should get Storm fans excited. Here is the deal in its entirety:
While the Storm trade away the best player in the deal, they do return value. The #2 overall pick comes with an opportunity to bridge the gap between an ageing roster and a future direction. Seattle could go in a few directions with this selection, but they should choose Olivia Miles from Notre Dame.
Miles does everything well as a guard and could be a game changer for a WNBA franchise. She is averaging 16.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while shooting a ridiculous 43.6% from three point range. The notion that the Storm shouldn’t draft Miles because they have a point guard on the roster in Skyler Diggins-Smith is not only short-sided, but it is also flat out dumb. Diggins-Smith is 33 years old and Miles can clearly play on the ball or off the ball (as she does with Hannah Hidalgo at Notre Dame). Miles would help immediately, but also be a cornerstone for the future.
The mystery scenario of this deal involves the consensus #1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. As ESPN dropped in their analysis of the trade, Bueckers might be sending signals about where she wants to play next year.
The mystery scenario of this deal involves the consensus #1 overall pick, Paige Bueckers. As ESPN dropped in their analysis of the trade, Bueckers might be sending signals about where she wants to play next year.
Landing the No. 2 pick suddenly puts Seattle in position to make a run at the No. 1 pick if Bueckers tells the Wings she'd rather return for a sixth year of college eligibility than come to Dallas. Given their year-old practice facility, strong fan support and history with UConn point guards, the Storm would be an attractive landing spot for Bueckers.
Seattle could offer the Wings the No. 2 pick and additional first-rounders -- including the Sparks' 2026 first-rounder, which has upside if Los Angeles misses the playoffs because the WNBA lottery standings reflect the record over the past two seasons combined.
The Storm now have a league-high five first-round picks over the next three years to offer for No. 1. (The Chicago Sky, who pick third, also hold five first-round picks.)
That doesn’t get printed if there is a little smoke somewhere. The Storm have three first round picks in 2026 and an icon in Sue Bird to make Bueckers believe this city is the best option for her future. Could she pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play in Dallas?
In either scenario, the Storm should leave the draft with Miles or Bueckers. That changes the franchise’s future significantly. And in the short term, could also lead to a better team in 2025 than in 2024. This is contingent on a few things happening in the next week or so.
First, re-sign Nneka Ogwumike. All indications are that this will happen.
Second, sign Gabby Williams. The Storm already used a core designation on Williams, but they should figure out if a 2-3 year deal is possible.
Third, go sign DeWanna Bonner. The chances of this are very slim considering her spouse Alyssa Thomas was just traded to Phoenix. But Phoenix and Seattle aren’t that far away, right? Bonner is 37 years old, but if you are going to stay with an older core, then go all in.
Lastly, fill the bench with Sug Sutton, Alysha Clark and Queen Egbo. Combine some upside youth with an awesome veteran to build a roster that is intriguing and fun.
PG Diggins-Smith
SG Horston
SF Bonner
PF Ogwumike
C Magbegor
Bench: Miles/Bueckers, Sutton, Clark, Egbo, Williams, Yueru, Muhl
That’s a good team. That’s a better team than in 2024. And a better team beyond next year.