Fansided

WNBA Season Preview 2019: Every team’s best case scenario

By Miles Wray

UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 14: Kia Nurse #5 of the New York Liberty shares a laugh with Teresa Weatherspoon before the game against the Atlanta Dream on May 14, 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
UNCASVILLE, CT - MAY 14: Kia Nurse #5 of the New York Liberty shares a laugh with Teresa Weatherspoon before the game against the Atlanta Dream on May 14, 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 16: Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles struck a pose during Media day at the Target Center, Thursday, May 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MAY 16: Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles struck a pose during Media day at the Target Center, Thursday, May 16, 2019 in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via Getty Images) /

Tier 3: Hitting pause on a dynasty, auditioning depth for 2020

Minnesota Lynx: Minnesota’s league-best analytics prowess helps lift the team back up to league-average per-possession offense

It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: while returning virtually the same squad from its championship-winning 2017 team, the Lynx went from a league-best offense down to just 10th overall in per-possession production last year. A dip that large isn’t the fault of any one player in particular: everyone on Minnesota’s roster took a hit to their offensive numbers. Coming into 2019, Minnesota has completely remade its roster for the first time in the Cheryl Reeve era.

Maya Moore is sitting out the year, yes, but out of the eight most-played played from 2018, only three of them are under contract now (Sylvia Fowles, Seimone Augustus, Danielle Robinson). This means there is loads of opportunity for rookies like Napheesa Collier, returning Lynx players who had been unable to break into the rotation, like Tami Fagbenle, and players from deep in other teams’ rotations who the Lynx acquired at a low cost, like Lexie Brown. There was no reason for the Lynx to make changes to their 2018 team after their 2017 successes. After having to make over the team’s roster this offseason, Minnesota will be in great shape for Moore’s return if they can piece together a reasonably efficient offense in her absence.