Professional basketball leagues in this country have found a way to dominate headlines in the offseason just like they do when the games are played.
Last summer’s NBA offseason was crazy, and the same can be said for the WNBA, as they’re in the middle of a wildly entertaining period themselves.
The latest big-time move took place on Thursday when four-time WNBA champion Seimone Augustus announced that she was leaving the Minnesota Lynx to sign with the Los Angeles Sparks, where she will join Candace Parker and Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike.
“In Seimone Augustus we’re adding another player that has won at every level and understands what it takes to compete for a championship,” said Eric Holoman, Sparks Managing Partner, and Governor. “Her resume speaks for itself and her leadership and experience will fit seamlessly into our team-first culture.”
The Sparks also recently re-signed Kristi Toliver, a three-time All-Star, that helped the Sparks win the 2016 WNBA Championship.
“Returning to Los Angeles is special to me for many reasons,” Toliver said in a statement. “I’m ready for what’s ahead and can’t wait to get started. I’m looking forward to a successful and exciting season with the Sparks.”
Last season, the Las Vegas Aces became arguably the most talented team in the league when they added Liz Cambage to a roster that already included Kayla McBride, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and A’Ja Wilson. But apparently, that wasn’t enough as the Aces signed Angel McCoughtry, a five-time All-Star who was the No. 1 pick of the 2009 WNBA Draft.
The WNBA is looking more like the NBA every day.
Inject all the WNBA Superteams in my veins please
— Black Fettuccine (@The_General5) February 21, 2020
The Phoenix Mercury also made some moves as they added Skylar Diggins-Smith through a sign-and-trade deal that will give her a supermax contract. The Mercury now a have a big three that includes Diggins-Smith, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner. Diggins-Smith sat out the 2019 campaign after giving birth, but averaged 17.9 points and 6.2 assists per game during the 2018 season.
And not to be outdone, the defending WNBA Champion Washington Mystics signed Finals MVP Emma Meesseman to a one-year deal that will keep her in the DMV.
In January, the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association agreed upon a new collective bargaining agreement that will start this season and includes higher salaries throughout the league, fully-paid maternity leave, better travel accommodations, and improved wellness and mental health programs.
