The Minnesota Lynx had Angel Reese right in front of them. They owned the seventh overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. That wasn’t going to land them Caitlin Clark, but Reese was in play.
Instead of choosing to stick and pick, Cheryl Reeve prompted the franchise to trade back a single spot and go with Alissa Pili. The move allowed the Chicago Sky to draft Angel Reese and the outspoken talent became someone else’s problem.
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In the time since, Minnesota has moved on from Pili due to a lack of production and effectiveness. They essentially got nothing out of that draft pick, and yet Reeve was still right about Reese.
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Angel Reese continues to be problem Cheryl Reeve expected
There have certainly been times where Cheryl Reeve’s pettiness seems misguided. Virtually any chance she has to ignore Caitlin Clark, she will. There have been other times where she is absolutely right. Coaching Angel Reese appeared to be a potential nightmare, and that has played out.
Last week Reese was suspended by the Chicago Sky for comments she made publicly to the Chicago Tribune.
I’m not settling for the same s−−− we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me. I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason. So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.
She went on to name teammates by name, note lacking practice facilities, and point fingers at different members of the front office and coaching staff. Following her suspension, she opted against taking the court, and then didn’t return for the final three games of the season.
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Despite the sideshow, general manager Jeff Pagliocca told reporters Friday that “until I hear differently, that’s the direction we’re going to move, is that she’s on the roster.”
Angel is an ascending young talent in this league who’s had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago. Obviously we went through what we did. I feel like we closed the chapter on it. She spoke to her teammates, she spoke publicly. We moved on as a team. She’s a special player. And I have good conversations with Angel daily, with her team daily. They’re constant, and they’re productive.
Despite Reese’s presence on the team, Chicago was again not good this season. Tyler Marsh’s team finished 10-34, tied for the worst record in the league. Reese was named an All-Star and played in 30 games. She averaged 14.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. Her 45.8% from the field was a significant step up, but she turned the ball over 3.9 times per game.
The general manager needing to make public comments about whether or not Reese will remain on the team after just two seasons is problematic. It’s a reflection of the distraction she is, and the exact reason Reeve was against allowing her to infect the Minnesota locker room.
Fit with MN Lynx never made sense for Cheryl Reeve
It’s not as though Minnesota Lynx head coach is averse to talent. Of course she would have preferred to have a player like Reese as opposed to Pili in a vacuum. The problem is that Reese brings all of the other antics with her.
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The Lynx were a direct opposite reflection of Chicago this year. They finished with a 34-10 record to lead the WNBA. Superstar Napheesa Collier should be in line for her first MVP award after winning Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. Teammates Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams have drawn a fan following with their StudBudz excitement.
Related: MN Lynx Star Joins Rarefied Air With Latest Ranking
Reeve has the complete embodiment of a team working in Minnesota. They are looking to avenge an ugly outcome in the WNBA Finals this season, and will hopefully win their first WNBA Championship since 2017.
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