The Phoenix Mercury want to compete in 2025. Their offseason has endured its share of ups and downs, as Brittney Griner signed with the Atlanta Dream but Phoenix acquired Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas. Sabally features the potential of an MVP candidate, but does she still have anything to prove?
The short answer is yes. Sabally once finished fifth in MVP voting, but she has some uncertainty.
What does Satou Sabally need to prove in 2025?
Sabally, 26, played with the Dallas Wings from 2024-2025 before joining the Mercury this offseason via a trade. There is no question that she is a star player, but how talented is Sabally in all reality? Is she a secondary option on a contending team, or can Sabally lead a franchise to a championship?
The forward earned two All-Star selections in Dallas. She averaged respectable numbers in four of her five seasons with the team, but 2023 was an outlier. Sabally's 2023 campaign was nothing short of terrific.
She averaged a career-high 18.6 points and 8.1 rebounds per outing. Sabally also recorded 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. She shot 43.5 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from deep as well. It was a terrific season, but Sabally had never averaged more than 13.9 points per game in any season prior to 2023.
It is worth noting that Sabally has only played in more than 17 games once in any of her five WNBA seasons. In 2023, she played in 38 contests and ultimately had a true breakout campaign. It may not be her fault, but Sabally's inability to stay on the floor in other years is another reason for concern.
In 2024, she missed the entire first half of the year after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery. She appeared in 15 total games for Dallas, but by the time she returned, the Wings were struggling mightily. Sabally recorded impressive numbers, averaging 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.
However, can Sabally stay healthy?
In 2025 and future seasons, Satou Sabally needs to prove that she can play in more than 30 games on a consistent basis. We will also find out who Sabally truly is as a player. Again, it is clear that she is an All-Star talent, but can Sabally play at an MVP-caliber level for a full season again like she did in 2023?
The Mercury clearly believe in Sabally's talent and potential. If she lives up to her potential and finds a way to limit her injury concerns, the Mercury will probably compete at a high level sooner rather than later. Sabally will instantly become a player who Phoenix can build around.
If Sabally fails to replicate her 2023 performance or struggles to stay healthy, then Phoenix will be in a difficult position.