2008 off-season moves

MamaBristow

MamaBristow

Bench
#31
#31
I'm not that worried about the timetable for retaining our own RFAs. I'm pretty sure we're gonna match for Nicole and Rebekkah no matter what contracts land in front of them.

I kind of want to see Whiz get on the phone with LA and try to land one of their posts. With Parker entering the draft, their front court is overloaded. I'm guessing they'd start LLL and Parker, with a loaded bench of Taj, Christi Thomas, Jessica Moore, and Tye'sha Fluker. I would hope they'd be willing to part with either Thomas or Moore. Since they aren't Free Agents we'd have to give someone up to the dark side. I'd still want to see how the rest of their Dream Team shakes out before guessing which player they'd want. They could possibly have a lineup that looks like this:

Temeka Johnson
Marie Ferdinand*
Sheryl Swoopes*
Candace Parker
Lisa Leslie

*still just rumors, Marie seems like more of a concrete rumor and Swoopes just seems to be fan speculation... but they both could happen.

Looks to me like they need to move some posts and get some wings. Ferdinand and Swoopes may or may not end up in LA. Fernandez isn't a lock to play in the W this season since it's an Olympic year. That pretty much leaves Sherill Baker and Sidney Spencer. There has to be a deal to be had there.

I'm not sure what that deal would be, but as long as we came out of it with Thomas/Moore and either our first round draft pick or their 2nd rounder (1st overall in the 2nd round), I think we'd be alright.
 
Purple Reign

Purple Reign

Starter
#33
#33
MamaBristow said:
I'm not sure what that deal would be, but as long as we came out of it with Thomas/Moore and either our first round draft pick or their 2nd rounder (1st overall in the 2nd round), I think we'd be alright.
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Neither one of those players really floats my boat, but if I had to choose one, it would be Thomas, only because I think she is a better offensive player. But not for our 1st round though. I think that draft picks for the Monarchs are gold. They have to start looking towards the future, especially at point guard.

I am hoping that with the progress of Walker, the growth of Brunson and anything, anything from Williams and Griffith, we can get by THIS SEASON with what we have. Now that Ferdinand is in Los Angeles, I think the conversations in the Monarchs front office has to be do we:

1. Stand pat with our veteran laden core?
2. Do we go out and sign a Free Agent (to me the remaining free agents outside of Swoopes is not attractive)
3. Take a chance and make an offer to a RFA
4. Make a trade

What I would like to see is this front office step out on a limb and make an offer to a Restricted Free Agent. The offer may get matched, but do it anyway. You'll never know until you ask the question.
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#34
#34
The way I'm leaning right now is between options 1 or 4.

I agree, the free agent pool for complementary pieces that are unrestricted free agents is not attractive. We don't have starter minutes available here, somebody who was available or is available would have had to have wanted to come in here and not start. Nobody fits that.

I don't want to sign offer sheets to RFA on the hopes we get them because for the most part that has been an exercise in futility for GMs unless they are mid-level vets pricing themselves out of the market of their current teams. Abrosimova is the only name on that list who I think may not have a home but I'm not sure she fits what we need. And if folks cringe about turnovers, we may run the market on Maalox here if she arrives.

What I'd consider is who is the core we're trying to complement? I see that as Lawson, Brunson, Powell and Walker. Ticha and Yo round that out as veteran supporting pieces who are transitioning out in the near term. Williams and Frohlich(who I still would be surprised to see return) are in the post mix. Newton, Robinson and Atkinson round out the guard swing mix - and one of the three of them moves into the "young core to build around" spot when Ticha retires and one moves into the "young core to build around" top reserve off the bench spot. The remaining one to me along with Smith is a piece to move or hang on to if you move a guard/swing.

I'd make a trade to move a body to get a pick. I don't want a body back in return and I don't want to trade out of the first round UNLESS there is a position player to be had that makes us better immediately or if I felt less than certain that Yo is coming back or that DeMya can play. We'd have to move a post or otherwise not have the services of a post we are relying on, to make room for a post to get minutes. I'm not feeling the need to do that right now. Right now, I'm inclined to some how acquire a young post or point guard in this draft and trade for whichever other if the deal makes sense.
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#35
#35
Monarchs Front Office Speaks

At tonight's "Night Of Inspiration" event for season ticket holders and prospective season ticket holders...the behind the scenes with the Monarchs' aspect of it came from a visit from the Monarchs front office, which, in response to a variety of questions, gave an update on the status of the free agents on its roster, a brief rundown on knee injuries and the recent research on their causes, Kara as a ball handler, lots of other interesting sidebars about the CBA etc. However, for the theme of this thread.

All of the Monarchs free agents are expected to be re-signed shortly. Powell signed today (although we weren't supposed to be told this ;)) Brunson and Penicheiro signings are imminent.


The front office has been proceeding as if Yo is NOT returning since that's what she had told them at the end of last season. They are exploring free agent and trade options that are feasible and looking post in the draft.
 
NothinButHoops

NothinButHoops

Starter
#38
#38
Went to the event last night & Whiz talked aout Yo, saying the ball is in her court. She has to decide if she is healthy & if she can be productive.
She is in Italy playing, but hasn't done very well yet, only 2 games in.
He spoke about her off season thumb surgery & she's still trying to recover from that. After last season Yo was leaning toward retiring & she still needs to make up her mind. Maybe after this overseas season, we will know for sure.
 
Purple Reign

Purple Reign

Starter
#39
#39
I really, really would like to see Yo come back, but only in a decreased role. Basically to back up DeMya and Rebekkah. More for leadership and continuity. I hope that will happen.
 
Luv13fan

Luv13fan

Bench
#40
#40
Why????

Purple Reign said:
I really, really would like to see Yo come back, but only in a decreased role. Basically to back up DeMya and Rebekkah. More for leadership and continuity. I hope that will happen.
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Okay I would love to Yo sent off in a manner consistent to what she has meant to the organization and the League. But at this stage of the game I think this team is beyond needing leadership.

You have 7 players who played in back to back finals, 5 of which won a Championship. If this team is still looking for leaders we are far worse off than reported.

DeMya and Kara should be able to play the role of Elder statesman on this Ball Club. Ticha should be able to offer leadership. Nicole and Bekkah should be assuming more responsibility.

If the reports I am getting back are remotely true, Yo will do herself a disservice by returning in any capacity other than Coach, or VP in Charge of Fan Relations.

Secondly, Yo has never been a back up. I am not sure she can adapt to that role and serve as the Leader we have come to expect out of her. She has always been a leader by example. And it is hard to accept criticism from someone who isn't shouldering the same work load as you.

And finally, I think Yo deserves to go out as the Legend she is. Not looking like ALI fighting past his prime. I guess there is a possibility that she could pick her game up a bit, but we need to get Younger and we can do it now, or we can keep hanging on until Yo has absolutely NOTHING left.

If she can come back and make a real contribution I am all for it. But allowing her to come back just cause she is Yo diminishes everything she is about.

That may seem harsh... and I don't mean to be. But this is still about the team.
 
NothinButHoops

NothinButHoops

Starter
#41
#41
No doubt the Monarchs & Maloofs will send Yo off in style, when that time comes. I'm sure with the amount of pride Yo has , she'll know when to hang up the sneakers. Just the same I'm with PR...she has alot to offer in some form. As a fan it's hard to let a ledgend of the game go, Yo just belongs in Monarchs purple. When her day comes...she may join Ruthie & #33 will hang high in the rafters of Arco.

#33 YOLANDA GRIFFITH
 
6th

6th

Homer Fan Since 1985
#42
#42
No doubt for me, her jersey will hang in the rafters. More than any single individual, Yo brought Sacramento its first (and so far only) professional basketball championship. That means a lot to Sacramentans.

Yo will decide, after spending a couple of months playing in Europe, if:

1. her thumb surgery will allow her to pull down boards that Sac has so relied upon.

2. her knees will hold up for more WNBA action.

3. she can still bring a positive contribution to the Sacramento Monarchs.

If Yo decides that the answer is yes to all of the above, then the decision is hers, and hers alone, to make. Whiz will give her a spot......and, he should. Yolanda Griffith brings intangibles that no one else can. She is a warrior, and yes she is a proud warrior. If she is ready to retire, then she should. But, if she is not ready, then.........I WANT HER BACK!!
 
Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#43
#43
If she can play reduced minutes AND be effective, I'm down for her coming back as well. From what Whiz was saying last night, and the detail with which he went into just how difficult it was for her to do much Yo-like taking the thumb away from her hands...or as he called them "what makes her so great" it's not seeming like it's a possibility that she's coming back, at least not at the moment. He spoke in very very respectful tones about her and leaving her alone to figure her own stuff out and come to her own conclusion before she walks away. He was asked a question at the end of his Q&A about whether or not Yo will get an opportunity to join the coaching staff or otherwise be connected to the organization and it surprised me re: how much he struggled to answer it because once he did answer it, it seemed like it should have been a simple yes answer because he ended up saying among other things that he had discussed that with her before she left. I swear to goodness it felt like to me that he is having a hard time accepting the fact that this may be it for her too.

It's not going to be ceremonial and I doubt seriously she wants to come back and play 10 minutes a night and collect a check just for the sake of holding on to something. She may very well be done and Whiz was sounding an AWFUL lot like he thought she was - moreso than in the past years when she's told him she's not coming back....only to show up in camp. The fact that he's said he's moving on as if...told me he thinks this is a different circumstance. Like all who made it through the pre-Yo years, I'm not ready for it and it's going to be tough to imagine. But this team has been and will continue to be built for the day it's long time captains aren't here. What we're going to lose besides the intangibles of her presence? Her ability to operate as the last line of defense on white line - there may never have been a better defender in the paint than her in this league...all due respects to the post down south and all...but never. And I think that's what Whiz wanted back more than intangibles.

Anywhooo, let's see what happens, a week from now she may have gotten her legs under her and things look different in her numbers overseas. But if things stay the same and she walks away, it seemed like Whiz and JB have been window shopping and have their contingencies ready regardless of what Yo ultimately decides to do...and the keys to the paint Yo has prowled will be turned over to DeMya and B.
 

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Monty'sBiggestFan

Monty'sBiggestFan

Starter
#45
#45
Did PeeWee play for LA at one point in her career? I thought that was a prerequisite for their acquisitions....;)


One less place for Zoll/Beck to go.....and what does this signal for TJ's recovery from microfracture surgery?
 
StevenHW

StevenHW

Starter
#46
#46
Former Stanford and Sacramento Monarch player Katy Steding has just been hired as an assistant coach with the new Atlanta Dream franchise.

Katy played for the Portland Power in the ABL, and then went on to the Monarchs in 2000, and then played for the Seattle Storm in '01. She had been recently serving as the head coach at Warner Pacific College, a private Christian university in Portland.

From the Dream website:
http://www.wnba.com/dream/steding_080325.html

From the Warner Pacific athletics department site:
http://www.wpcknights.com/News/wbball/2008/3/24/steding wnba.asp?path=wbball

Congratulations to Katy!
 
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