WNBA Mock Draft Big Board 3.0: Knock-on effects as free agency arrives
1. Las Vegas Aces: Katie Lou Samuelson, 6’3 G/F, Connecticut
Let’s consider the following: if the Aces choose the best fit for their roster, it is Katie Lou Samuelson, who slots in perfectly next to A’Ja Wilson and Carolyn Swords/Kelsey Bone in a big, versatile front line. But Samuelson makes more sense for virtually any other contender for this pick in a Dallas deal, either directly or via a three-team deal. She can force teams into matchup nightmares as a shooting guard, she defends the rim well enough to play the four, even a smallball five as a Draymond Green of the WNBA type (except Katie Lou shoots it better from three). She doesn’t turn the ball over. She comes from a reasonably decent program in UConn. We’re keeping her atop our board for now.