2007 Charlotte Sting Dispersal Draft Analysis

The Charlotte Sting Dispersal Draft went down without a hitch. The 13 remaining WNBA teams each had one pick in the reverse order of their 2006 regular season as the Chicago Sky picked first. With a good mix of younger and more experienced players, teams had to weigh not only the future, but also the immediate present as salary cap issues come into play. Also of note, Allison Feaster and Tammy Sutton-Brown are unrestricted free agents and were not eligible to be picked.

1. Chicago Sky (5-29, 7th, Eastern Conference)
Monique Currie, Guard, 6-0

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Monique Currie 34 33 24.8 .332 .291 .810 1.50 2.38 3.88 2.6 1.00 .12 1.82 2.94 10.0

The third overall pick in last year's Draft, Currie had a very impressive rookie year, but often found herself in the shadow of the large spotlight cast on several of her fellow rookies. She needs to improve her 3-point shooting but has shown the ability to create her own shot and get to the free throw line. The Sky are a young team, only in their second season after expansion in 2006. Rookie Candice Dupree and center Bernadette Ngoyisa were the only two Sky players to score in double figures last season. The Sting also had more starters than any other team (14) and need more consistency in their lineup. With Currie and the third pick in the WNBA Draft in April, the Sky will have a solid nucleus of talented youngsters to build around.

2. Minnesota Lynx (10-24, 7th, Western Conference)
Tangela Smith, Forward, 6-4

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Tangela Smith 34 34 28.6 .421 .365 .744 1.41 3.88 5.29 1.5 1.21 .85 2.06 2.94 13.1

The Sting's leading scorer last season, Smith was traded to Charlotte two seasons ago in the deal that sent Nicole Powell to Sacramento. She is a veteran with a good deal of experience (yet still on the younger side of 30 years old), which is just what this young and improving squad needed. After Seimone Augustus, who finished with nearly 22.0 ppg last season, no other Lynx player scored in double digits. The Minnesota Lynx will be without reserve center Vanessa Hayden this summer due to her pregnancy and Smith's addition will provide some much-needed relief in the post. Tamika Williams has not been as regular an offensive contributor as she was earlier in her career.

3. New York Liberty (11-23, 5th, Eastern Conference)
Janel McCarville, Forward, 6-2

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Janel McCarville 30 3 14.0 .458 .000 .636 1.33 2.17 3.50 .8 .57 .67 .93 1.70 4.5

The first overall pick two seasons ago, McCarville's first two seasons in Charlotte were hampered by injury. However she has great talent as a passer in the post and is working overseas to improve all aspects of her game. The Liberty's biggest weakness was its post depth last season as Ann Wauters and Elena Baranova did not join the team.

4. San Antonio Silver Stars (13-21, 6th, Western Conference)
Helen Darling, Guard, 5-6

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Helen Darling 29 29 20.9 .370 .383 .691 .45 1.59 2.03 2.8 1.21 .10 2.52 2.62 5.4

A savvy, veteran point guard with the ability to lead a team either as a starter or off the bench. She should give Shannon Johnson some relief coming off the bench. Darling previously enjoyed her best productivity as a member of the Cleveland Rockers under Coach Dan Hughes, who happens to be the coach in San Antonio.

5. Phoenix Mercury (18-16, 5th, Western Conference)
Kelly Mazzante, Guard, 6-0

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Kelly Mazzante 34 0 21.3 .379 .383 .848 .68 2.24 2.91 1.9 1.38 .18 1.41 1.09 8.9

Mazzante enjoyed something of a breakout season in 2006, coming off the bench to score nearly nine points per game after averaging only 2.4 ppg in her first two seasons. She is most dangerous beyond the arc and is lighting up the scoring tables in Europe currently playing on the same team as McCarville in Slovakia. The Mercury, who took and made more 3-pointers than any other team, no add to their already-deep backcourt and can focus on improving their post play through free agency and the Draft.

6. Washington Mystics (18-16, 4th, Eastern Conference)
Teana Miller, Forward, 6-3

2006 Stats���������������
Teana Miller
Did Not Play
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Teana Miller did not play in 2006 and has missed much of the last three seasons while starting her family. She played 40 games for Charlotte in late 2004 and 2005. Miller is a serviceable defensive player and is a good shot-blocker.

7. Seattle Storm (18-16, 4th, Western Conference)
Tye'sha Fluker, Center, 6-5

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Tye'sha Fluker 31 1 10.5 .337 .000 .727 .84 1.29 2.13 .3 .06 .45 .68 1.55 2.5

Entering her second season out of the University of Tennessee, Tye Fluker did not contribute much as a rookie. She has a big body and will provide some depth up front for Seattle.

8. Houston Comets (18-16, 3rd, Western Conference)
Yelena Leuchanka, Center, 6-5

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Yelena Leuchanka 4 0 9.5 .500 .000 .500 .50 .75 1.25 .8 .00 .25 .25 1.25 3.0

Leuchanka was one of the Sting's "reserved" players, meaning only the Comets can now negotiate contracts only with this new team. As a rookie in 2006, she only played 38 minutes in four games last season, so not much is known about her as WNBA player. However, she is 6-5 and just 23 years old.

9. Indiana Fever (21-13, 3rd, Eastern Conference)
Sheri Sam, Guard/Forward, 6-0

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Sheri Sam 34 34 29.1 .399 .269 .627 1.56 3.50 5.06 2.6 1.62 .09 2.15 2.29 10.6

Sam is a veteran leader with the ability to score both inside and outside, Sam won a title with Seattle in 2004 and will join her sixth team since joining the WNBA in 1999.

10. Sacramento Monarchs (21-13, 2nd, Western Conference)
LaToya Bond, Guard, 5-7

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
LaToya Bond 34 5 18.1 .399 .217 .740 .21 1.24 1.44 2.1 1.03 .24 2.35 2.44 5.7

Bond played good minutes as a reserve point guard in her rookie season. She struggled from beyond the arc in 2006 and made some rookie mistakes (read: turnovers), but she is quick and aggressive.

11. Detroit Shock (23-11, 2nd, Eastern Conference)
PASS

12. Los Angeles Sparks (25-9, 1st, Western Conference)
Ayana Walker, Forward, 6-3

2006 StatsGGSMPGFGP3PPFTPOREBDREBTOTAPGSPGBPGTOPFPPG
Ayana Walker 25 0 7.2 .459 .000 .571 .44 .80 1.24 .1 .40 .40 .16 1.24 1.8

Ayana Walker is a restricted free agent, and the Sparks now have the right to match any offer made to her.

13. Connecticut Sun (26-8, 1st, Eastern Conference)
PASS


Tasha Butts and Summer Erb were not selected. They will become free agents on January 15.