Fansided

What does success look like for the Connecticut Sun in the 2023 WNBA season?

By Lukas Petridis

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 31: DiJonai Carrington #21, Alyssa Thomas #25 and Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun look on against the Chicago Sky during the first half in Game Two of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Wintrust Arena on August 31, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 31: DiJonai Carrington #21, Alyssa Thomas #25 and Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun look on against the Chicago Sky during the first half in Game Two of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs semifinals at Wintrust Arena on August 31, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Connecticut Sun were transformed over the offseason. With a new roster and foundation, how will they measure success in 2023?

Following the departure of Jonquel Jones and Jasmine Thomas, the Connecticut Sun have a great opportunity to find out what direction the franchise is moving in during its next chapter.

This team has great young pieces who are not only full of potential but have already proven themselves in the WNBA. Natisha Heideman and Brionna Jones stick out as proven young players who have already made deep playoff runs as key rotational pieces with the Sun, including two Finals appearances.

The Connecticut Sun are built to win, but are they a team built to win it all?

The front office has done a tremendous job of blending talent with youth which allows them a safety blanket regardless of which avenue their season takes. After the offseason, this team will see a rebalancing in the first quarter of the season. If they can come out of the first 10 games with a 5-5 record and a good idea of what their rotation will look like then this should be a good indicator for success in Connecticut.

Integrating pieces such as Tiffany Hayes and Rebecca Allen should be quite seamless, but it will be an adjustment nonetheless. Hayes is a prolific scorer and with the way the Sun move the ball, she should reward the easy opportunities they create with easy baskets. Bec Allen is tough as nails alongside being a great defender and shooter, properties of a solid basketball player that complement any basketball team.

If they can start to ramp up their play in the next quarter of the season then this will pay off in the second half. At the midway point, an 11-9 record blended with a cohesive unit should see them playing free in the last 20 games without having to worry about answering any questions.

This team has seven players who are aged 25 or younger and the opportunity to earn minutes on one of the league’s better teams should fast-track their development. This should also help round out Connecticut’s rotation, working in symbiosis.

Enough has been said about the play of Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner and this will continue through the 2023 season, but their leadership cannot be lost in the conversation. Their guidance will be key to how the youth on this roster navigate their playing time and the selflessness and connectedness that has characterized Connecticut in recent years will be key to setting a winning culture with an amended roster.

If the Sun can slowly and steadily build their team’s play throughout the season then they should be humming over the last 20 games. A 13-7 run home would put them at 24-16 for the season which will see them comfortably in the playoffs and negotiating homecourt advantage.

A step outside of their comfort zone in May may see Connecticut lagging to start the season but it will be imperative for success as the season progresses. Setting a solid foundation and not rushing any steps will allow the Sun to have both holistic and individualized success. It will consider their entire roster no matter how established each piece is within the WNBA. Nailing the rebalancing early into proceedings should steady Connecticut in the 2023 season.

Check out our WNBA hub page for more news, analysis, opinion and unique women’s basketball coverage. And don’t forget to follow FOR(E) on Twitter, FanSided’s home for women’s sports.

Home/WNBA