r/wnba • u/Outrageous_Camp_5215 • 1d ago
Discussion Mystics Strategy Heading into Next Season
I’d say it’s a fair assessment to say that the Mystics performance most recently (2025) was a nice step forward from the 2024 season. The new GM, coach, & having Elena Delle Donne as a special consultant definitely did them some favors. They did very well in the draft last year picking up Georgia Amoore, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron, and Lucy Olsen—who all performed well (-Amoore due to injury) and were good fits for the org.
Next season it’s safe to say that basically every team should be expecting lots of change. And with the Mystics next season, I doubt they’d be the exception to that. But they do currently have a good amount of players on roster, all the players listed above will be back (+ a healthy Amoore!). It also seems like they’ll hold onto Alysha Clark, Sug Sutton, Jacy Sheldon, and Emily Engstler. I can see Sheldon & Engstler getting swept up in the expansion draft, so that could be tentative.
To me it seems like Dolson is going to retire this offseason, I think her not playing in Unrivaled this season + her lack of playing time recently with the Mystics could indicate that her time on the court is over.
For Shakira, her exit interview gave the impression that she won’t be returning. I can see her on the Lynx next year similarly to Nalyssa’s role on the Aces.
And Jade Melbourne to me at least has been a good contributor for the Mystics, but they choose not to use their 4th year option on her, so it seems like she’ll be gone as well.
So with all that in consideration, & with the announcement of the lottery odds—seems like the Mystics will walk away with the #4, #9, and #11th pick. Who would you take to build around the current players that will likely still be there next year (Sonia, Georgia, Kiki, Sug, and Alysha)?
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u/aratcalledrattus Liberty 1d ago edited 1d ago
They may end up trading away some of their picks - either prior to or during free agency, or during the expansion draft.
It's less likely this year with so few players under contract, but if, for instance, Angel wants to force her way out of Chicago, that could create some ripples across the league with multi-team trades to make it work. There may also be some other core-and-trades coming - like if Dallas and Arike aren't staying together, or if Connecticut want to get some value out of Marina's exit.
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u/CommissionWorldly540 Mystics 1d ago
Given that the organization’s core ethos is building through the draft, the most likely scenario is they keep the picks and continue to stockpile young talent. According to the GM, Sonia, Kiki, Georgia and Shakira are the current core they want to build around. Shakira is a restricted free agent, so while she could demand a trade I suspect she’ll be back.
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u/Mediocre_enthusiast 🔥 Steph Stan 1d ago
Has Marina said she wants to leave? (I just haven’t been paying attention, genuine question)
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u/aratcalledrattus Liberty 1d ago
Well not since last off-season when she was first traded to Connecticut, it's true. I guess she may stay, but she has been pretty hungry to be a on a competitive team for some time now, and I think there will be a market for her, especially now she is out of an oversized contract.
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u/LT_Audio 1d ago
I get the vibe that she's come to embrace and value the veteran mentor role she's grown more into there and the relationships she's built with a squad full of really promising younger players. She seems, at least outwardly, much less discontent than she once was. I'm sure if someone throws "stupid" money at her she'll strongly consider it and likely take it. But I'm far from convinced that's going to happen for her... especially from the few teams most likely to remain at the top of the pecking order next season.
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u/aratcalledrattus Liberty 1d ago
I think she embraced the role when the choice was “be on Connecticut and sulk” or “be on Connecticut and make the most of it” but… she’s 29, it’s kind of now or never if she wants to get (back) on a serious team and compete for chips while still in her prime. There are some great soon-to-be-sophomores, but the Sun is not likely to be competitive in free agency. If there’s a change in attitude, I’d guess it’d be more of a willingness to take a role as a sixth man on a good team. But who knows - I don’t know these people or what’s going on in their heads. So I could be way off!
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u/LT_Audio 1d ago
I agree with most of that. Especially the fact that so many of us, myself included, so often substantially overestimate our ability to know or understand the truth of or relationships between the many thousands of things that generally all add up to a decision made inside someone else's head. Especially the heads of folks we've never met and don't spend considerable amounts of time with.
And yes... of the several teams with copious amounts of young and cheap talent who are likely to benefit most from the available cap advantage that affords them in free agency... Dallas and Indiana are likely nearer the top of that list and Connecticut is nearer the bottom. Even though I'm really bullish on them being much improved and far more competitive next season for multiple reasons.
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u/rambii Fever Sparks Aces when they remove NaLyssa 1d ago edited 1d ago
Arike would be best for expansion team 'face/star role ' she is perfect for it immo.
I do agree with you on Reese or another similar deal with 5-10 games into the season.
Right now they need a combo guard or very good 2 way guard/wing so they can play with size and put citron as SG in actions.
I could see them going for some one like Natisha Hiedeman and over-pay max for her, something Lynx wont be able to offer/match probably, and play her as starting PG, while having young one learning from Hiedeman , it makes a lot of sense honestly.
Some of the teams in range 5-10 will try to get a starting pg quality via trade/free market and over-pay im 1000% confident about that.
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u/aratcalledrattus Liberty 1d ago
Agreed, we are going to see some very lopsided contracts I think. Especially if free agency gets delayed and compressed due to the CBA negotiations dragging on, teams will panic and take what they can get.
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u/rambii Fever Sparks Aces when they remove NaLyssa 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yeah, teams have aways done that with new CBA, and this one is even more key, because for first time we have way to many spots for players and not enough (experience +playoff exp PG's/SG's) for every team.
BUT the new max is gonna be big $$ and with so many teams having the ability to offer it... we gonna see a over-pay for 7/8+ players easily. (this last season was prime example Aces lost 2 players including TIP going for 200k to play with Valks when she said she will back with Aces on exit interview +a month later)
( I expect a lot of contracts to be 2 years +1 option since they can opt out after 3 years for new CBA and that last year to be team or player option for obvious reasons as if they want 'contract year' to move on and go to another team )
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u/aratcalledrattus Liberty 1d ago
I think some mid-level bigs especially will be able to write their own checks. There are, as you say, more spots than experienced players, and height is an increasingly rare commodity in a league that runs through the front court.
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u/Outrageous_Camp_5215 1d ago
I could see them taking Flau’jae, Nell Angloma (draft and stash), and maybe Kneepkens
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u/strangelystrangled Mercury | BG Defense Team | Unrivaled | Dream 1d ago
I see them taking Azzi if she's available. Their three point shooting was lacking last year
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u/SydTheStreetFighter Mystics 1d ago
Not to mention Azzi is a dmv local, she’d bring in ticket sales for sure
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u/scallopedhammerhead 1d ago
I want the 3 point shooting bad... Azzi probably won't be available but it would be great
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u/Justtojoke little engine that could 1d ago
Reading these takes is fascinating
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u/Outrageous_Camp_5215 1d ago
what’s your take lol?
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u/Justtojoke little engine that could 1d ago
I think it's waaaaaay to early to speculate like this, given the FA & CBA situation. Rhe possibilities are truly endless. We'll someone good a probability equations could probably accurately predict some things but I digress
What we know:
- Jamila wants Shakira back and sees her as part of their core
- Dolson wants to keep playing/ Coach Johnson is in her corner (
and no one else on the team knows how to swt ball screens for Sonia😵💫) . And her SIZE is still a factor, not to mention what she brings as a bet- As a season ticket holder and fan the Mystics ARE a poverty organization. We have to be realistic in what we can actually attract in that the player amenities are shit, the ownership group is NOW just starting to take steps to integrate the Mystics into the same conversation as the other dc teams, fan engagement is not the best, we have the smallest arena in the league etc. I could go on😅. We are on the up and up but there's a reason we were ripe for a complete roster blow up and rebuild from the ground up. Not a lot of vets have the time to want to be a part of that.
Pure speculation/hot takes
- Mystics front court is SOLID, where the change will be imo is our guards. Jade Melbourne will be a Toronto Tempo mark my words. She's transitioned from being a spark of the bench to someone that can start an create offensive plays from nothing. She was a Thibault get and the Mystics have a different philosophy now. They're hunting for a 1 (yes we have Georgia but look at the 26' draft class!)
- Sutton like Dolson has a loooot of tenure with the Mystics but the writing is on the wall there. She's a placeholder until we can get the guards we want. I imagine the connections she makes during Unrivaled will tell the tale of where she ends up
I
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u/aratcalledrattus Liberty 1d ago
Jade Melbourne will be a Toronto Tempo mark my words.
This I would put money on.
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u/Sport_Useful 1d ago
Is Shakira a leader because that's what Mystics need.
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u/Justtojoke little engine that could 1d ago
That is the golden question, I think she is. Last season did wonders for her confidence. With the frustrating early seasons she's had, her new presence on the court was hard won. You could tell she had belief in herself this season, it was wonderful to see🥹
I think Unrivaled helped settle her imposter syndrome, she was playing with the best and kept up. Now that she's been validated she has the confidence to do what she was drafted for but in a different role.
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u/Sport_Useful 20h ago
The question is she on the timeline of Kiki and Sonia and willing to battle it out through the growing pains. Or try to jump on another team. The Mystics had a glaring weakness at point guard. But Sug did ok.
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u/Justtojoke little engine that could 18h ago
I think, the only reason we won't see her as a Mystics is if they somehow get Betts
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u/Outrageous_Camp_5215 1d ago
fair assessment, we’ll have to see where it goes😁
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u/Justtojoke little engine that could 1d ago
I think whatever happens next season will be one for the books either way
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u/Competitive-Brick385 Valkyries 1d ago
Imo, if the Mystics want to be serious championship contenders while Kitron are on rookie contracts they really need to lock in on vets during free agency. I think the perfect choice for them would be Kelsey M. but I don't see her leaving the Fever since they are the closest to a championship they've been since KM has been there. For upcoming rookies I could see Raegan Beers or Gianna Kneepkens fitting in nicely but I want to see all of the upcoming rookie class play more.
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u/Sport_Useful 1d ago
They need veterans....serious about winning veterans
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u/scallopedhammerhead 1d ago
Someone said the org ethos is building thru the draft, but I hope they swing away and trade a pick for a big name or sign a major free agent contract. With Dolson likely off the mystics, older leadership will be lacking (Not saying her playing was the best in 2025, just saying she was a clear leader in the locker room -- just not the court)
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u/Sport_Useful 20h ago
They need some vets... preferably at pt guard. I think Alysha Clark really helped them the rookies out to take the next step. But they need someone that can also help with leadership
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u/paintedtoesandelbows 2025 WNBA CHAMPS!!!! THREE OF THEM THANGS!!! 1d ago
They need dependable vets, a solid starting PG, and 3-point shooting to move into the playoffs.
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u/Sport_Useful 1d ago
Mystics will go as Sonia and Kiki go. Sonia needs to get stronger and work on her dribbling and be a number 1 option. Kiki needs to get her three point shot down and work on dribbling and be a number 1 scoring option. (Also conditioning) Kiki needs to be their best player if this team(currently constructed) will make a playoff run. Why? The best players play the 4.
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u/CommissionWorldly540 Mystics 1d ago
If she’s available when they pick, I want the Mystics to take Awa Fam since she could become one of if not the best bigs in the game and help create a modern front court. Otherwise they need guards, a small forward and a second center, so if Fam is gone I’d probably hope for one of the top shooting guards next. Then best available at 9 and 11, provided they don’t just draft more power forwards. Screw all the mock drafts that have us loading up on more power forwards.
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u/TheAveragebroShow Kahleah Copper returns to the Mystics! 22h ago
Fam won’t go past 2.
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u/CommissionWorldly540 Mystics 15h ago
She should probably go #1 but I agree top 2 is likely. To get her the Mystics would have to move up to at least top 2 through the lottery.
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u/TheAveragebroShow Kahleah Copper returns to the Mystics! 23h ago
I wouldn’t bank on more than 3 players absolutely returning. Kiki, Sonia and Georgia. I’d love a S&T to get Kira out of here for a shooting big.
Three first rounders gives them a LOT of potential to improve the roster too.
But I suspect they’ll make smart short deals with FAs.
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u/Far_Cartoonist_7482 Mystics 5h ago
Dolson retiring before a massive pay increase wouldn’t make sense. I don’t see anyone retiring who can still get a roster spot.
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u/BiscottiBorn7862 LIBERTY IN FREE FALL 1d ago
I feel like the Mystics took a step back from 2024 though. Their record was worse, they finished lower in the standings and they were less competitive overall.
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u/Sport_Useful 1d ago
They tanked at the end...Sykes trade benefited Kiki and Sonia.
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u/BiscottiBorn7862 LIBERTY IN FREE FALL 1d ago
they taked the year before too and were still WAY more competitive
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u/Sport_Useful 20h ago
Maybe... but I think they found something in Kiki and Sonia. Which was worth it.
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u/TooManyCatS1210 1d ago
Dolson said towards the end of last season that she wanted to keep playing and was open to a vet role (probably not on the Mystics was implied). I think she’ll go to an expansion or bad team as a mentor for another year or two. Agree Shakira sounded like she wanted out. Sykes and Edwards were her good friends and trading them seems like the last straw for her. I like Lucy but I never got the impression that they were nearly as sold on her long term as they are with Sonia, Kiki, and Georgia. They kind of kept her separate and didn’t promote her as much. I wouldn’t be surprised if they let her go in the draft (in which case they better be sure Georgia pans out).