The Storm’s 2025 roster featured four All-Stars. Despite all of that talent, the Storm didn’t make it past the first round in the playoffs for the second year in a row. As a result, the Storm parted ways with head coach Noelle Quinn—a decision that was met with an exodus of veterans in free agency.
Nneka Ogwumike returned to LA, Skylar Diggins took her talents to Chicago, Brittney Sykes signed with the Tempo, Gabby Williams went to the Bay Area, and Erica Wheeler followed Ogwumike to the Sparks. The only key players left from last season’s roster are Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga.
With Malonga showing immense growth in her first WNBA and Unrivaled seasons and a rookie head coach, the Storm’s best path forward is a rebuild—which will be much easier after a draft that saw Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson go to Seattle.
The Storm added talent and star power
The fact that Awa Fam fell all the way to third could easily look crazy in just a few years. At only 19, she already has pro experience and an incredibly versatile offensive skill set as a scorer and passer. Adding her to a frontcourt that already features Malonga and Magbegor gives the Storm a crazy combination of talent, versatility, athleticism, and upside.
The Storm may have missed out on Olivia Miles, who went second overall to the Lynx, but they still landed a star guard in a surprise trade with the Valkyries. The Valkyries selected Flau’jae Johnson eighth overall, but traded her to Seattle for Marta Suárez and a 2028 second-round pick.
That’s a massive win on and off the court for the Storm. Johnson will bring a massive following to a rebuilding team trying to get a fanbase to support new young stars and a new coach. On the court, Johnson will provide athleticism, perimeter defense, and shot creation.
Malonga and Fam may have more upside and untapped potential than Johnson, but the former LSU star will play a crucial role in revitalizing the franchise and fanbase after losing almost all of its veteran stars.
The Storm also drafted Taina Mair
The Flau’jae Johnson trade was the only surprise of the evening the Storm were involved in. They used their second first-round pick to select Duke guard Taina Mair, who was not expected to be selected that high.
Mair averaged 11.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.5 steals in her senior season. She caught the Storm’s attention with her performance in the NCAA Tournament. She put up 22 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals as Duke eliminated LSU in the Sweet 16. After that, Mair recorded 21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a losing effort to UCLA in the Elite 8.
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