2024 WNBA Draft preview: Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx were active in the 2024 WNBA free agency period, adding Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith and Natisha Hiedeman to a core that, after starting the 2023 season 0-6, rebounded to finish 19-21 and earn the No. 6 seed in the WNBA playoffs. In the first round, Minnesota managed to steal one game from the Connecticut Sun, forcing the series to a decisive Game 3 before bowing out.

In short, the Lynx are in a good place. But, they could make it even better with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Minnesota also owns the No. 31 pick.

In recent seasons, Minnesota has had success in the draft, using mostly non-lottery picks to find players who make positive contributions as rookies. Their hits include: Napheesa Collier (No. 6, 2019), Jessica Shepard (No. 16, 2019), Crystal Dangerfield (No. 16, 2020), Diamond Miller (No. 2, 2023) and Dorka Juhász (No. 16, 2023).

So, who might join this list? Here are three candidates:

Jacy Sheldon

With the addition of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, the Lynx strengthened their backcourt. However, their bench is not bursting with additional primary ball handlers. Furthermore, Williams signed a two-year deal, while Hiedeman inked a one-year contract, meaning neither are guaranteed to be a long-term option.

The No. 7 pick is an opportunity for the Lynx to add a backcourt player who can be an immediate off-the-bench contributor, as well as potentially emerge as a starter. Ohio State’s Jacy Sheldon stands as the best candidate.

A seasoned player after five years in Columbus, she’s WNBA-ready, with a skillset that would elevate the Lynx. Offensively, she can play on or off the ball, with her quick, attack-oriented approach complementing the similar mentalities of Williams and Diamond Miller. That trio would give Minnesota an excess of athletic pop around the more methodical, polished play of Napheesa Collier.

Defensive-minded head coach Cheryl Reeve likely will love Sheldon’s eagerness on that end of the floor. Last season, the Lynx ranked near the bottom of the league in steals per game. Sheldon, schooled in Ohio State’s press-heavy defensive system, could be used to heat up opposing ball handlers and generate takeaways.

Nika Mühl

If Sheldon is off the board and Minnesota still wants to prioritize a backcourt player with defensive credentials, UConn’s Nika Mühl would be a good bet. (And from Maya Moore to Napheesa Collier to Crystal Dangerfield to Dorka Juhász, the Lynx have done well when drafting Huskies.)

The two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Mühl showed off her point of attack defense in the Final Four, earning plaudits for how she pestered Iowa’s Caitlin Clark. In college, her relentlessness and physicality often led to foul trouble, but, in a likely lower-minute role as a rookie (and with somewhat more consistent officiating in the W), Mühl should be able to bring her signature defensive intensity without restraint.

Offensively, steadiness, rather than dynamism, is Mühl’s brand. She’s eager to set up others for scores, evidenced by her owning the top two total assists seasons in UConn history. A plus 3-point shooter, she also can space the floor for Minnesota’s offensive stars. As a senior, she made better than 40 percent of her more than three attempts from deep per game

Angel Reese

Rather than bolstering their backcourt, Minnesota could choose to juice their frontcourt. If she remains on the board, LSU’s Angel Reese certainly intrigues.

Although Reese does not profile as a superstar at the WNBA level, her elite athleticism suggests she’ll carve out a long career in the league. She has the potential to emerge as a do-it-all Dearica Hamby-esque star in her role, using her combination of size, speed and length to flourish as a versatile defender and shine as a transition threat. The top rebounder in the SEC in back-to-back seasons, we know that she’ll be all over the boards, creating second-chance opportunities. A better than 70 percent free throw shooter for her career, Reese might not be able to stretch out her shot behind the 3-point line, but she should be able to master a more reliable elbow jumper.

In total, Reese has a suite of skills that can be optimized in concert with the Lynx’s other frontcourt players. She can serve as the fire to Collier’s icy-cool game, create constant chaos when paired with Alanna Smith or run teams off the floor in when reuniting with Miller, her former teammate from her time at Maryland, in small-ball units.