The Connecticut Sun are having an offseason to forget. Not only have they got rid of a well-established coach in Stephanie White, but they failed to adequately replace the players who are no longer on the team. If they can’t get high-caliber players before the season starts, then they may be thinking about tanking ahead of the 2026 WNBA draft. Not acquiring players that are of a high level is a recipe for disaster, as there are franchises like the Phoenix Mercury who have upgraded their starting five. Let’s further delve into the reasons why next season may be one to forget for the Connecticut Sun.
The Connecticut Sun Got Rid Of Their Starting Five
In the offseason the Connecticut Sun have traded the majority of their starting five. Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones, and Dijonai Carrington have all left for franchises that are more equipped to win a championship. This is a complete contrast to the franchises like the Phoenix Mercury who have made big moves in an attempt to boost their championship odds. There are also franchises like the New York Liberty who have opted for continuity by not trading any of their main core. This will benefit them as the team is essentially primed to retain the same roster heading into the next season. They will also have good chemistry as they have won the championship together last season. These factors will make it difficult for the Connecticut Sun to be competitive. This would particularly be the case if the new players struggle to adapt.
The Connecticut Sun didn’t keep Stephanie White
Not only did the Connecticut Sun fail to keep their starting five, but they couldn’t convince Stephanie White to stay. The Indiana Fever, one of her old franchises, acquired her services in the offseason. Losing her will be a major loss for them, as she did relatively well during her time there. In her two years with the Connecticut Sun, she finished second in the Eastern Conference on both occasions. She managed to lose in the WNBA Semifinals of the playoffs on both occasions. It is also a blow for the Connecticut Sun, as she is going to a franchise which is on the rise. To make matters worse, the new coach they hired, Rachid Meziane, doesn’t have experience coaching in the WNBA.
The Facilities Are A Hindrance
The Connecticut Sun can’t rival other WNBA teams when it comes to their facilities. They don’t have their own practice facilities because of lack of plans and space constraints. This may convince players in free agency to go to another franchises. This is a problem as if they can’t attract the best players, and they will struggle to be competitive again. Having top class practice facilities may not be a guarantee of success as shown by the Phoenix Mercury, but it could be beneficial in the long term in relation to free agency.
The Sun begin the 2025 season on May 18 when they will be taking on the Washington Mystics.
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