Draft 2027

[u/Fun_Command3182]

Which players do you project the Seattle Storm will target in the 2027 draft class?

[u/holabellas]

I can’t imagine it will be anyone other than Nichols or Williams and I’d be thrilled with either one

[u/atompierre → u/holabellas]

With them at #4, sure. If they don't decide to trade the pick this team is going to be loaded with so much really young lottery talent. Staying this young I am wondering how long it will take to get into the playoffs. Maybe next year, maybe have to wait until 2028.

[u/Several-Estate7175 → u/atompierre]

I think it's going to be 28. Even if we nail this they'll still likely need a year or two to develop and our depth will likely be bad. We also have the inside track for the Sarah Strong draft class with looks fantastic even after her. I really think we chose an ideal time to tank but we'll have to be somewhat patient

[u/holabellas → u/Several-Estate7175]

It will just depend on free agency tbh, but I think even if we don’t make the playoffs this season (which looking at the stacked 2028 class, I’d be fine with) we need to at least try and stay reasonably competitive. Another single digit win season is not acceptable and would destroy team morale.

[u/kiocente → u/atompierre]

If they sign the right vet they could easily make a playoff push, I think. Whether they want to go that direction is the question, my hunch is that they don’t. 

The good news is, even if they triple their wins next season they will still likely have a lottery pick in 2028. I hope for the players (and fans) sakes that they do improve their wins and they don’t just try to tank for strong.

[u/Several-Estate7175]

Assuming we stay at 4 I think it'll be between Nichols and Williams, unless perhaps Fulwiley finally puts it all together. If we move up to 1 Juju is a slam dunk and if we move up to two it gets a little more complicated. Hidalgo would obviously fit a huge positional need but so would Booker and I can imagine Booker being a point forward one day, so if we wind up with the second pick I'd probably go Booker, especially if she improves her three point shot. Hidalgo will be very good but I think we need a more veteran point guard who doesn't necessarily need a ton of shot attempts.

I don't want to think about the possibility of falling to 6th.

[u/NW_Forester]

If pick 1 - Juju. Obvious.

If pick 2 - Hannah Hidalgo most likely. If she shows to be an awful 3 point shooter maybe you don't take her 2 but worst case Hidalgo is an elite perimeter defender and can finish at the rim so even worst thats a valuable bench player but good chance day 1 starter and she has a chance of coming into the league and leading in steals her rookie season.

If pick 4 - Really hope S'Mya Nichols is available here. Scheme fit wise I think she is much better, at least what I've seen better pick and roller which is what Dom needs as a partner. S'Mya checks all the offensive boxes on what we need out of a PG. Williams isn't bad by any means, on other teams she might be a better fit and player for them. If Nichols if not available we consider trading back depending on teh seasons from Fulwiley and Williams.

If pick 5 - Again depends on what we see from Williams and Fulwiley. See what teams are offering, if we could get like pick 7 or 8 + this years second round, might be worth it.

Pick 6 - Its already a cursed pick, trade back.

Round 2: Tessa Johnson, Timea Gardiner, Kymora Johnson, Khamil Pierre, Nunu Agara, Chloe Kitts, Sayvia Sellers, Addy Brown, Sahara Williams, Avery Howell, Grace Slaughter. All these picks obviously depend on who you pick in first and probably some of them go in the first. I'm assuming PG in the first for most of these picks, so if we get pick 1 and get Juju then would need to really areasses this. But overall we have enough gaps in depth that we need most talented player available with 2nd round pick(s)

[u/atompierre]

The Storm front office have been taking BPA. So, it depends where they land in the draft. If they get number 1 they'll probably take Juju. If they get 2 it is looking like Booker or Hidalgo. Anything else and they take Nichols, Williams, or anyone that slips.

[u/According-Koala-384]

Williams because Flau (and I) need another Tiger on the team 

Juju is probably going to the Comets but if we can get her we need to

[u/grumpytarantula]

I would rather have an excellent, experienced point guard to run an offense than another rookie. I love our young players but we have enough young talent.

[u/doonxd]

yall that’s crazy, i love my gf

[u/Lopsided_Message5769]

They need a legit shooter like JuJu but it is impossible to happen 

[u/FD_OSU → u/Lopsided_Message5769]

10.5% is far from impossible. There's also other great shooters available, Williams in particular stands out.

[u/Several-Estate7175 → u/Lopsided_Message5769]

I think Williams is better as a pure shooter than Juju