2. New York Liberty: Arike Ogunbowale, 5’8 G, Notre Dame
It is easy to coast on thinking about Ogunbowale as she was last year — a killer, who understands the moment and gets to the basket at will — and miss what she’s done this season, which is to become a complete playmaker. The assist rate keeps rising, up to 21.1 percent on the year, while the turnover rate, always a strength, remains so, at 11.9 percent. The three-point percentage has dipped a bit, but the free throw percentage near 80 remains a better long-term indicator, not to mention she shot north of 38 percent from deep last year and 45.4 percent as a sophomore. For the Liberty, this means a dynamic duo of Ogunbowale and Tina Charles to create inside-outside matchup nightmares, and maximizes shooters around them, with Amanda Zahui B. and Rebecca Allen (just-resigned) natural fits they can retain for the job. Kia Nurse can be a legit third offensive option and defensive stopper. It’s a pretty strong starting five, along with whichever other options New York chooses to bring along for the ride in free agency.