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Drop Off: 2015 WNBA draft class extensions, redrafting the first round

By Ben Dull

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 20: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury on MAY 20, 2018 at KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - MAY 20: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury on MAY 20, 2018 at KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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WNBA teams had from February 1 until May 15 to sign players from the 2015 draft class to contract extensions. Four players still on their rookie scale contracts have re-upped with their current teams. Seven additional players from that class are currently have a roster spot in the league.

There is one special case within the 2015 class. Isabelle Harrison was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of that draft, but suffered a torn ACL in February of her senior season at Tennessee. As a result, she missed the entire 2015 WNBA season and started her career with the Mercury the following season. Harrison was later traded to the San Antonio Stars, who since have relocated and are now the Las Vegas Aces.

Harrison can essentially be viewed as a member of the 2016 draft class. (She is still not with the team as of Friday morning due to personal reasons.) This season will be her third on her rookie deal, meaning the Aces must decide by the end of the month whether or not they wish to exercise her fourth-year option.

More on the 2015 class:

Stokes, Loyd, Mosqueda-Lewis, Williams ink extensions

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 20: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury on MAY 20, 2018 at KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MAY 20: Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury on MAY 20, 2018 at KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joshua Huston/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Seattle Storm announced earlier this month that both Jewell Loyd and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis had signed multi-year contract extensions with the team. The Dream announced a multi-year extension with All-Star center Elizabeth Williams last month.

According to the WNBA website, the Liberty signed center Kiah Stokes to an extension, though no release or details were provided.

Williams is a key cog inside for Atlanta’s defense. She earned Most Improved Player honors back in 2016, her first season with the Dream after they acquired her from the Sun in exchange for the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 draft. The 6’3 center may have more to show offensively this season playing in first-year head coach Nicki Collen’s system aiming to foster more player and ball movement.

Loyd, the No. 1 overall pick back in 2015, is a core piece for the Storm. Her scoring average has increased (10.7 to 16.5 to 17.7) year over year. Seattle will need her to focus on her efficiency — Loyd has shot sub-44 percent from the field all three seasons — and growth as a playmaker in order to elevate them into the upper tier of the league.

Mosqueda-Lewis played in just 18 games last season. She underwent a knee scope in June, and the surprise arrival of undrafted free agent Sami Whitcomb made minutes on the perimeter much tougher to come by upon her return to the lineup. Seen primarily as a shooter here at the next level, Mosqueda-Lewis has shot just 31.7 percent on 205 career three-point attempts.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kiah Stokes #33 of the 2017 USA Women’s National Team shoots the ball during training camp at Westmont College on September 30, 2017 in Santa Barbara, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Aaron Poole/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA BARBARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 30: Kiah Stokes #33 of the 2017 USA Women’s National Team shoots the ball during training camp at Westmont College on September 30, 2017 in Santa Barbara, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Aaron Poole/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Stokes shared the minutes at center in New York last season with Kia Vaughn after averaging seven rebounds and seven points per game on 64 percent shooting in 2016. Stokes played in all 34 games, drawing 12 starts. With new head coach Katie Smith, we’ll have to continue to wait and see if she will approach her frontcourt rotation the same way.

Smith inherited a flexible roster further bolstered by the signing of Marissa Coleman and selection of Kia Nurse in the first round of this year’s draft. The Liberty could look to spread the floor more, either pairing Amanda Zahui B with cornerstone Tina Charles or playing small by sliding Coleman up to the four spot.

Stokes missed the season opener with a minor foot injury but was not listed on the injury report for the Liberty home opener on Friday against the Lynx. Vaughn was temporarily suspended to start the season as she finished up her season overseas.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 13: Brittany Boyd #15 of the New York Liberty goes to the basket against the Washington Mystics on September 13, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 13: Brittany Boyd #15 of the New York Liberty goes to the basket against the Washington Mystics on September 13, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Players that did not receive extensions: Brittany Boyd (NY), Dearica Hamby (LV), Amanda Zahui B (NY), Natasha Cloud (WAS), Cheyenne Parker (CHI)

Note: Betnijah Laney (2nd round pick in 2015) is with the Connecticut Sun this season. She is not on her rookie scale contract, as she was waived out of training camp last year by the Sky.

Boyd is working her way back after suffering a torn Achilles in the second game of the 2017 regular season. Hamby, Zahui B and Parker each find themselves in very competitive situations where forward/center minutes will not come easy. Cloud has been a reliable defender bringing a spark off the bench for the Mystics, who will still have every opportunity to keep her around via restricted free agency this coming offseason.

Redrafting the 2015 1st round

  1. Jewell Loyd (Actual: 1)
  2. Elizabeth Williams (4)
  3. Amanda Zahui B (2)
  4. Kiah Stokes (11)
  5. Isabelle Harrison (12)
  6. Dearica Hamby (6)
  7. Brittany Boyd (9)
  8. Natasha Cloud (15)
  9. Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (3)
  10. Cheyenne Parker (5)
  11. Betnijah Laney (17)
  12. Reshanda Gray (16)

Without much context, this class really comes down to what you value in a forward/center. This may be the toughest time to try to gauge Boyd’s value, especially because her burst is such an asset for her on both sides of the ball.

Links I like

Here’s Richard Deitsch with his very early NCAAW top-10. Here’s to hoping for more women’s basketball coverage (and hires!) at The Athletic.

Here’s Justin Carter on the two early meetings between the Storm and Mercury.

Here’s the latest episode of We’re On Live on opening week, Sparks/Lynx, Liz Cambage & more.

Related Story: Thursday Drop Off: must-see lineups, part 2

Here’s Cayla McMorris with some early takeaways on the 2018 rookie class.

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