Locked On Women’s Basketball: WNBA free agency signing day eve

Powell and Duncan discuss the fits of Natasha Howard in Indiana and both Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones at the center spot in Atlanta. Plus, they check in on the then-unsettled Satou Sabally sweepstakes as a few teams have separated themselves as contenders to land the star forward in a sign-and-trade with Dallas.

Duncan on how Satou Sabally could best fit in Phoenix:

I think for me, especially if the shooting for Satou proves to be real. … In the second half when she did make her return to Dallas, she was just knocking down three after three after three. She’s more comfortable taking pull ups. And so if the shooting is real, I think there’s a real versatility that she brings to this Phoenix group.

I think a lot of the offense is going to run through Alyssa Thomas, as it should, as she is a premier playmaker in this league. And I’m super excited about what that means for Kahleah Copper in particular, because I feel like the best version of her has been when she can just attack tilted defenses. When they can stash her in the corner … [Sabally] can either come off the screen and get downhill immediately, or if you’re overplaying … cut backdoor and trust that whoever’s holding the ball at the top the key can find [her].

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Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.

Duncan on how he reacted to seeing Atlanta sign Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner:

To bring in Karl Smesko, his teams have been very good. His teams have been very good offensively. They want to get up and down the floor. And then [two of your first three] signings … are Bri[onna] Jones, who is post first — she can do other things, but wants to get her business done inside the arc — and Brittney Griner, who is comfortable taking a step out and knocking down some threes, but ultimately she wants to do her work on the inside.

So I was like, “Is this what Karl Smesko wants?” Like, I think you want to add talent, obviously, but is this fitting his vision? But then kind of went back and forth, like, the mark of a great coach is you have your ideals, but being flexible, being able to be successful anyway.

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