Natisha Hiedeman returns to Minnesota Lynx, cementing roster continuity from 2024 Finals run

“Natisha’s return to the Lynx was a high priority for us in free agency as she proved to be an important factor in our 2024 Finals run,” Reeve said in the press release announcing the move. “We are thrilled she believes Minnesota is the best place to thrive and reach her greatest heights as a pro.”

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Hiedeman’s return along with the starting five means the Lynx will bring back nearly 90% of their total minutes from last year’s 30-10 regular season. Hiedeman appeared in all 40 regular-season games and played through a thumb injury in the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty. The Wisconsin native led Minnesota’s bench in total minutes played (607), points (194), assists (95) and steals (32).

Yet what was more important than the statistical contributions Hiedeman made during her first season in Minnesota was her undeniable effect on the team’s chemistry. In Hiedeman, Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams, the team had three newcomers in 2024 who all needed to carry a heavy load right away. From the earliest days of the preseason, the Lynx made it clear they had already captured a rare kind of chemistry. 

“We’ve been building each day. Training camp has been super fun,” Hiedeman said at the team’s media day. “You could tell this group is here for the right reason. We’re here for one reason, and that’s to win and play as a team. It’s a good feeling when you’ve got everybody on the same page. The chemistry’s been great. We’ve been learning a lot and building on it each day.”

Hiedeman described herself during her first Lynx training camp as “just annoying” in that she “asks like a million questions” when getting to know new teammates. “It’s important as the point guard to know every single [teammate] and every single thing that everybody likes to do,” she continued. “That creates the chemistry and that’s what gets things rolling. When you know everybody like the back of your hand, sometimes you don’t even need to look; you know [where] they’re going to be.”

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However, Lynx star Napheesa Collier didn’t land on the word “annoying” when asked about the number of questions her new teammate had thrown her way. 

“She’s really curious,” Collier said after playing with Hiedeman for all of one preseason game. “She’s … asking where people like the ball, how they like to get into their actions where they’re most successful. I think that’s a really important quality in a point guard. Courtney does the same thing as well. It’s really important when you’re at that commander spot that you know what your soldiers like to do. The fact that we have people taking that initiative is one of the reasons why I think our chemistry is coming [along] so quickly.”

Hiedeman’s curiosity endeared her to her Lynx teammates. Her passion and humor immediately endeared her to the fans — perhaps especially to Nagini, the service dog who can always be found courtside at Target Center and gets cuddles from Hiedeman after Lynx wins. 

Despite having Hiedeman and their starting five back, the Lynx have lost key contributors this offseason. Italian sharpshooter Cecilia Zandalasini was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in December’s expansion draft, and backup forward Myisha Hines-Allen parlayed her brief but productive stretch in Minnesota into a nice payday from the Dallas Wings.

The Lynx roster now stands at 10 players with the re-signing of Hiedeman and the addition of French forward Marième Badiane on a nonguaranteed training camp contract. Badiane is currently averaging 13.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for Fenerbahçe in the KBSL, Turkey’s top league. She also helped France to a silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

“Marième was a sought-after international prospect following her successful showing at the Paris Olympics,” Reeve said in the team’s press release. “She will be a great fit for the Lynx culture and on-court play to bolster our post depth.”

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Badiane averaged 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game during France’s Olympic run, which ended at the hands of Reeve, Collier and the rest of the Americans. She comes to Minnesota with plenty of familiarity with Collier as well as with Kayla McBride, as the three of them helped Fenerbahçe to EuroLeague and KBSL championships in spring 2024.

With Hiedeman now under contract, the Lynx have $266,278 of salary cap space remaining for 2025, per Her Hoop Stats. Badiane does not currently count against the Lynx’s cap because she is on a training camp contract, but if she makes the opening-day roster, her $66,079 salary will count.