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2019 WNBA Mock Draft Big Board: Version 1.0

By Howard Megdal

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: A'ja Wilson poses with a Las Vegas Aces hat during the 2018 WNBA Draft 2018 on April 12, 2018 at Nike New York Headquarters in New York, New York. 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 Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 12: A'ja Wilson poses with a Las Vegas Aces hat during the 2018 WNBA Draft 2018 on April 12, 2018 at Nike New York Headquarters in New York, New York. 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 Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 30: Asia Durr #25 of the Louisville Cardinals attempts a three point basket over Roshunda Johnson #11 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during a semifinal game of the 2018 Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Tim Nwachukwu/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 30: Asia Durr #25 of the Louisville Cardinals attempts a three point basket over Roshunda Johnson #11 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during a semifinal game of the 2018 Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Tim Nwachukwu/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /

4. Chicago Sky: Asia Durr, 5’10 G, Louisville

Here’s what we know about the Sky, through two seasons of Amber Stocks: they can score, particularly when everyone is healthy. And, at least on a consistent basis, they cannot defend well enough. Stocks spoke about making this a point of emphasis in 2018. She brought in a pair of versatile, impact defenders, and Diamond DeShields certainly delivered, while Gabby Williams led the league in steal percentage as a rookie. And still: the Sky finished last in defensive rating, and it wasn’t that close.

So how do you fix this? It’s complicated. The wings are set, with Cheyenne Parker around as a sixth starter, essentially. Stef Dolson is a talented defender, particularly at full strength. Then there’s the backcourt. Allie Quigley is a legitimate all star and elite three-point shooter, Courtney Vandersloot is the best facilitator in the league. Neither one is a defensive standout, however, and the Sky may need to start thinking about how to replace them, anyhow, with both hitting free agency this winter.

Enter Asia Durr, who might be the most talented player in the draft, period. She’s an excellent three-point shooter, 41.5 percent last season, and at 5’10 with a strong frame, could well guard both twos and threes in the WNBA. Katie Smith thinks her skills are point guard-ready now, and you can expect Jeff Walz to give her plenty of time at the point this year to help prepare her. Either as an heir apparent or a new starter, Durr makes a lot of sense in Chicago.

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