The 2024 WNBA season is a couple of days from getting underway. Before the league officially begins its 28th season, teams must make roster moves by cut-down day on May 13. There may be some surprising moves like the one the Seattle Storm made on Saturday afternoon.
Seattle sent 21-year-old Jade Melbourne to the Washington Mystics for a 2025 third-round pick, per Jeff Brown of Storm Chasers.
Seattle Storm Ships Promising Youngster to Washington And What It Means For Each Team
The Storm selected Melbourne with the No. 33 pick in the 2022 draft. However, the Storm encouraged the 5-11 point guard to remain with her predraft team, the Canberra Capitals, and continue her development in the WNBL.
Melbourne did come over from Australia last season, although she didn’t have much success for the young Storm, which finished with an 11-29 record. The 11 victories were the Storm’s third-fewest in franchise history, while their 29 setbacks set a franchise record.
Melbourne was limited to the end of the Storm’s second unit, serving as the 9th-10 player in the rotation in most games. Melbourne finished the campaign averaging 2.6 points, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 rebounds in 10.6 minutes over 29 appearances. She scored in double-figures one time and shot. 391/.150/.793 from the field.
Melbourne had a strong 2023-24 WNBL season with Canberra, compiling 16.3 points, 7.6 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 19 games.
What Does The Trade Mean For Each Team?
Seattle Storm
According to Brown, last season was one of growth and development for the Storm, as they kept four rookies on their 12-man roster. Jordan Horston, one of the rookies, was named to the All-WNBA Rookie team, while Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, showed some flashes of promise.
Brown added that while the Storm could have stayed the course and continued to develop their youngsters, specifically Melbourne, who is under her rookie contract for three more seasons, the Storm changed their philosophy this offseason.
Seattle signed two of the more prominent names on the free agent market, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike. The Storm, who traded their 2024 first-round pick, also added free-agent guards Victoria Vivians and Kiana Williams and drafted Nika Muhl in the second round of this year’s draft.
So, Melbourne was essentially the odd man out. Melbourne played in the Storm’s first preseason game, tallying 5 points on 1 of 5 shooting from the field, including 0 of 3 from the 3-point line, though she made three of her free-throw attempts. She also added one assist while committing three turnovers and three fouls in 13 minutes.
The third-rounder that the Storm received from the Mystics has no value, as even first-round selections are routinely waived. But it does give them an asset as they now have four selections in 2025 (first, second, and two thirds).
The Storm Final Roster Decision
Seattle has 12 players on its 2024 roster and has to make another cut due to the Storm being over the salary cap. According to Brown, five players are possible candidates to be cut: Williams, Vivians, Fankam Mendjiadeu, Muhl, and Joyner Holmes. Brown believes the decision will likely come down to Vivians and Holmes.
Brown did add that the Storm could make another trade or cut one of their non-guaranteed contract players and pick up a different player.
Washington Mystics
Washington went 19-21 last season, finishing seventh. The Mystics were swept by New York in the first round.
Now, it appears that the Mystics are in rebuild mode. Star Elena Delle Donne decided to sit out this season after being cored by the Mystics and Natasha Cloud, who left via free agency.
According to David Yapkowitz of Clutch Points, the Mystics will need to make three cuts before tomorrow’s deadline. Yapkowitz said eight players have secured a roster spot—Ariel Atkins, Myisha Hines-Allen, Karlie Samuelson, Brittney Sykes, and Stefanie Dolson on veteran-protected contracts. Shakira Austin, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, and rookie Aaliyah Edwards are locks to make the team.
That leaves Jakia Brown-Turner, Julie Vanloo, Kaylynne Truong, Emily Engstler, DiDi Richards, Elissa Cunane, and Melbourne fighting for the Mystics’ final four spots.
Examining the Players Competing For The Mystics Final Roster Spots
Melbourne and Vanloo, a 31-year-old rookie from Belgium, are likely vying for the Mystics backup point guard spot.
Vanloo has been shaky during the preseason, averaging 4.5 points on 3 of 11 shooting, including 3 of 10 from deep in 41 minutes over two appearances. She also compiled 7.0 assists, 3.5 turnovers, and 3.0 fouls.
Truong, the No. 21 pick in this year’s draft, saw nine minutes in her lone preseason appearance. Meanwhile, Brown-Turner, who went undrafted out of Maryland, played 11 minutes in two games.
Engstler was the No. 4 pick in 2022 and has 47 games of WNBA experience, though she saw eight minutes a game in 12 appearances for Minnesota last season. The 6-1 forward produced 3.0 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 12.5 minutes during the preseason.
Richards has 45 WNBA games experience over two years. The 6-2 guard averaged 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in 15 minutes over two appearances.
Cunane, a 2022 second-round draft pick, has appeared in three games. The 6-5 center compiled eight minutes of action over the two preseason games.
