Welcome to Bullets Forever's 2016 WNBA Draft Preview. We will review the Mystics' needs and several draft prospects who they may be considering as we head toward the 2016 WNBA Draft.
In Part 1, we will discuss which picks the Mystics have and their needs as they head toward draft day.
In the three years since he was hired as the Mystics' General Manager and Head Coach, Mike Thibault has made it a point to draft and develop a group of young players who will form the backbone of the franchise. Though the Mystics' record hasn't changed much from 2013-2015, the roles of those young players have steadily increased as they have improved year-over-year.
In 2016, the Mystics look to build on their young roster by drafting the best player for their system. Let's take a look at the major things they have done this winter and where they stand right now heading toward Draft Day on Thursday, April 14. Washington holds the draft's seventh pick in the first round.
Key offseason moves
(by Albert Lee)
Re-signing Emma Meesseman through 2019
Meesseman is the first player in the 2013 rookie class who received a maximum-level contract extension, and for good reason. She has developed from a bench player in her rookie season into an All-Star last season. In addition, Meesseman has been making noise internationally, both for the Belgian National Team and for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia where she plays during the winter.
Re-signing LaToya Sanders
Sanders entered the 2015-16 offseason as a restricted free agent. She has been playing at a high-level this winter for Turkish club Abdullah Gul University Kayseri. Sanders is also a member of the Turkish National Team where she is one of their best players.
Sure, Sanders plays the same position as Meesseman, but you could see lineups where the two are playing alongside each other, whether Meesseman is used as a more athletic center or, if she is moved to the small forward position for a long lineup.
Making no trades to date
It sounds like making no trades is complacency or not notable. But given the amount of youth and depth on the Mystics' roster, this is a key move in and of itself.
On the one hand, it looks like complacency. But in the Mystics' case, it isn't necessary for them to make any trades. The frontcourt from The Washington Posts down to Sanders, Kia Vaughn, and Tianna Hawkins is as deep as any in the league.
The backcourt rotations may be uncertain as of April, but you can't deny that Ivory Latta is still one hell of a shooter, Bria Hartley is still one year removed from an All-Rookie team performance, and that Tayler Hill, Natasha Cloud, and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt have also had their positive moments last summer. When the young roster still has room to grow and many roles aren't totally certain yet, it makes sense to see how things play out this summer.
As of today, what do the Mystics need?
(by L.W.)
Need 1: A go-to superstar
The Mystics are in a unique position for the first time in quite awhile. They have depth at basically every position but lack talent at the very top unless you are down with the Emma Meesseman movement. Their biggest need is arguably a superstar of the go-to scorer variety, but that’s not a realistic expectation for the 7th pick in the draft.
Even though a superstar is unlikely to be available with the seventh pick, there may still be some volume scorers available. Since the Mystics aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, this need could help fill in the need for a go-to scorer, but it probably won't completely fill it.
Need 2: An offensively skilled small forward
The most immediate positional need is a knock-down shooter at the small forward position. If the Mystics draft a player to fill in a positional need, they are more likely to look at a wing player than a low post or backcourt playmaker.
Of the Mystics' small forward options, Tierra Ruffin-Pratt was fantastic in that role last year, continuing to play her trademark tough defense while knocking down a career-high 32.6 percent of her threes., but it wouldn’t hurt to have an insurance policy in case she gets injured or sees her shooting numbers regress.
The other current options at small forward would have to play out of position. Natasha Cloud was also expected to spend time at this position last year, but she ultimately was starting at guard for most of the regular season. Ally Malott also spent time here for limited stretches due to her shooting ability. However, she is a natural power forward and wouldn't see much time there as long as Meesseman and Sanders are in the lineup.
In Part 2, we will review Draft Prospects who are reaches for the Mystics. Though most of these players are expected to be drafted before No. 7, it is always possible that one player may drop to the latter half of the Draft.