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What Odyssey Sims’ suspension means for the Lynx

By Derek James

MINNEAPOLIS, MN- AUGUST 27: Odyssey Sims #1 of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during the game against the Chicago Sky on August 27, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN- AUGUST 27: Odyssey Sims #1 of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during the game against the Chicago Sky on August 27, 2019 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A reckoning, following legal resolution

Just days after entering a guilty plea for misdemeanor drunken driving charges, the Minnesota Lynx announced they were suspending guard Odyssey Sims for two games. Sims will serve 10 days of house arrest in her Texas home and will have the rest of her one-year sentence suspended as four years’ probation.

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Police stopped Sims on the morning of June 6 for speeding and detected the presence of alcohol. A breathalyzer later confirmed that Sims had a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. The Lynx chose to let Sims play out the remainder of the season, including the game the night of June 6 versus Phoenix, and let the legal system run its course before punishing her.

How will the Lynx adjust without Sims?

Not to trivialize the serious of Sims’ conviction, but this is a basketball site. Sims’ suspension comes early enough in the offseason where the Lynx won’t have to scramble to find a point guard. They can proceed through the winter knowing that Danielle Robinson, should she return, will likely start the first two games of the 2020 season.

The Lynx showed last season that they may have enough ballhandling to get by, at least for a couple games. Robinson is a former all-star and has been a starter for the Lynx already. Lexie Brown may be able to fill in the blanks off the bench as well. Jessica Shepard and Napheesa Collier showed even as rookies that they can make plays for others.

Sims’ suspension doesn’t force the Lynx into more significant roster changes like it would if Seimone Augustus wasn’t coming back or if Maya Moore didn’t return. Then the team would be in dire need of creators and ballhandlers.

There’s so much time between now and the beginning of next season, but it seems unlikely that this will influence the Lynx’s approach to things like the draft, free agency and trade market too much.

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