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 general decide by way of a three-team commerce.
The Storm will function 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 way of free company by including guard Erica Wheeler.
Regardless of dropping Jewell Loyd and gaining the No. 2 general decide 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 way of trades.
“We’re actually excited for the expertise that we’ll add,” Seattle Storm common supervisor Talisa Rhea stated Thursday. “We’re in a singular spot to have the ability to add a participant that can have the ability to contribute to a win-now mode. As we went by way of free company, we constructed a roster to attempt to win-now, whereas accumulating some draft picks for the long run, we consider that at two we’ll get a participant that can assist us this yr, in addition to the long run.”
When placing collectively a staff 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 type, versatility, and athleticism. Moreover, final yr, Malonga grew to become the primary girl to dunk in a sport within the French league.
Malonga was moreover a part of the French nationwide staff that gained a silver medal within the Paris Olympics. Though they battled in a detailed sport in opposition to the US within the gold medal match final summer season, Williams sadly had her foot over the road in a sport tying shot. Malonga is acquainted with some WNBA faces, together with Williams and New York Liberty guard Marine Johannes.
“I have been watching movie of her, and I can not 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 return off flare screens and hit threes at her dimension and her size. We have seen her along with her dunk within the within the French league. The way in which she will transfer in house, she’s an unimaginable expertise, and I am wanting to see the belief is that she is 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 middle Lauren Jackson at first general. Jackson went on to win three Most Worthwhile Participant awards and led the staff to 2 championships in 2004 and 2010.
Ought to Seattle resolve to move in a distinct course, Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron is another choice. Citron’s skill to make three-pointers, alongside along with her defensive and rebounding expertise, would match properly with the Storm. It could be a useful elevate 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 not too long ago introduced that she would forgo the 2025 Draft and switch to TCU, Seattle may 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 similar time, they’re targeted on constructing for the long run with the first-round picks they’ve acquired for subsequent yr’s draft, together with the second general decide.
