A new era is underway for the Seattle Storm as the WNBA season draws near. Youth signals the direction the franchise is choosing to take. Selecting Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam, and Flau’jae Johnson in recent drafts proves the Storm are firmly in the midst of a rebuild. Nevertheless, every rebuild requires leadership. Setting a culture that younger stars can buy into is crucial for their development, and that’s exactly the kind of environment Natasha Cloud would help create.
Without any inside knowledge whatsoever, it would be reasonable to predict that Seattle will be more than willing to finish at the lower echelons of the regular-season standings this year (and maybe next) to receive a lottery selection as they continue their rebuild for the future. This may mean that acquiring capable players is not at the top of their agenda; in the same vein, the Storm front office must ensure that the younger generation has the correct tools to grow.
Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam, and Flau'jae Johnson have made it clear early in their careers, whether in the WNBA, Europe, or college, that they’re committed to constantly improving and never staying stagnant in their growth. The duo is going to give every fibre of their being to become the greatest player they can be, and an experienced leader would only help accelerate this process.
Natasha Cloud to Seattle would be the perfect fit
Not only would the acquisition of Cloud bring experience, but it would also allow the young core of the Storm to see how an established player in the league goes about their day-to-day business off and on the court. Natasha Cloud may not be spoken about in the same breath as A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and other superstars of that calibre; however, there is a reason she is heading into her 11th season at the highest level.
Throughout her career, the 34-year-old has played in 327 games and averaged 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Numbers may not matter if she opts to sign a deal with the Storm, as Johnson, Natasha Hiedeman, and Taina Mair will all be utilised heavily in the rotation. Cloud's ability to excel in multiple roles on both sides of the ball would make her a first-rate partner to any of these backcourt selections.
Cloud's recent stint with the New York Liberty proved that, despite being in the latter stages of her career, she is not ready to slow down just yet. In New York, the veteran guard averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Exhibiting this level of performance with the Liberty led many fans of the league to believe it would be a no-brainer for Cloud to extend her time with the franchise as they chase down their second championship in three years.
Whether this move failed to materialise because of Natasha Cloud’s contractual demands or because New York did not believe the guard’s skill set aligned with their vision for this season remains unclear. What is clear, however, is that Seattle would benefit greatly from adding a player of her experience to the roster. Building for the future requires more than acquiring the greatest talent; it is about creating a culture that breeds success.
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