Minnesota Lynx draft needs season preview: Is it time for a full rebuild in Minneapolis?

The Minnesota Lynx ended up over .500 with an 18-16 record, and seemed to have a nice core to build around in leading scorer and point guard Odyssey Sims with forward Napheesa Collier heading into 2020. But with reports that Sims won’t be returning to the WNBA this season, and a bottle neck in the front court, it could be a long season in Minneapolis.

Sims was arrested for DUI during the season last year, and veteran Sylvia Fowles would need to pick up a lot of scoring slack in her Age 34 season to make up for the losses. Can the Lynx find some hope in the draft?

WNBA title odds: 30/1 (DraftKings Sportsbook projected odds)

Offseason moves

Minnesota was unable to attract any major players in free agency, and basically just added lower-rotation players and camp bodies.

Additions

Rachel Banham (sign & trade with Connecticut)
Cecilia Zandalasini (re-joins team from Fenerbache)
Shenise Johnson (trade with Indiana)
Linnae Harper (free agent)
Kayla Alexander (free agent)

Departures

Odyssey Sims (unlikely to play in 2020)
Danielle Robinson (free agent to Las Vegas)
Temi Fagenbele (yet to re-sign)

2020 WNBA Draft

Picks

1st round, #6 overall
2nd round, #16 overall
No 3rd round

Needs

With as much size and depth as the Lynx have in the front court, it’s clear they need help at a guard position in this draft. Two UConn players in Megan Walker or Crystal Dangerfield would help here, though Dangerfield might be a more like-to-like replacement and ready to take the keys if Sims doesn’t plan on coming back.