The free agency period of the WNBA is one that always has fans of the 12 teams on edge. Will we sign one of the big name free agents? Will we lose someone in free agency? Who are the free agents?
One of those free agents was Sue Bird, an integral piece to the Seattle Storm’s success over the years. Because of injury, Bird did not play last year for a Storm team that despite dealing with injuries to her as well as Breanna Stewart and playing a schedule that split its home games between Alaska Airlines Arena (University of Washington) and Angel of the Winds Arena (Everett) still came within one game of the semifinals.
We knew she would return to the court in 2020 – but for which team? It turns out she will once again don green and gold for the Storm when this season tips off.
No, obviously where I am now, it makes zero sense for so many reasons.
–Sue Bird on the possibility of leaving in interview with High Post Hoops
With a sarcastic tinge to her words, her friend and fellow UConn alum Diana Taurasi even made her an offer to join the Phoenix Mercury. As for Stewart, she also put it succinctly when High Post Hoops asked her about the news.
We have things in Seattle she likes besides basketball.
–Breanna Stewart to High Post Hoops
One of the things that Bird can speak on is her ability to be a potential recruiter to other players that may be considering the Emerald City as their next WNBA destination.
So, I don’t think anybody’s out there trying to convince anyone that their team’s the best. You want people to believe in it. So, I think there’s only so much you can do, but I can 100%, obviously, as someone who played in Seattle for a long time and knows what the franchise is about and the culture that we’ve built, I can be somebody who can explain things and be very honest and open.
–Sue Bird (per High Post Hoops)
Players can begin signing with teams on Feb. 10.
It still remains to be seen how the free agent period turns out, but with Bird and Stewart returning and a lot of their core from the 2018 team such as Jordin Canada, Jewell Loyd, Alysha Clark and Natasha Howard still intact, expect Seattle to be in the title picture with Washington, Las Vegas, Connecticut and Chicago in 2020.
