Phoenix Mercury draft needs with a new-look roster

The Mercury still have the GOAT in Diana Taurasi, but she’ll have a different type of team surrounding her in 2020.

By Collin Sherwin@CollinSherwin Apr 9, 2020, 11:55am PDT

Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury handles the ball during the game against the Seattle Storm on September 3, 2019 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena, in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Mercury never really got going in 2019, with Diana Taurasi sidelined for all but six games due to back surgery. But they still have one of the deepest rosters in the league, and Brittney Griner remains one of the dominant forces in women’s basketball. It’s all setting up for the Mercury to make a run this year, and with the addition of Skylar Diggins-Smith who missed last year due to pregnancy, the Mercury will certainly be in the hunt for a title.

WNBA title odds: 9/2 (DraftKings Sportsbook projected odds)

Offseason moves

The loss of the second-leading scorer in franchise history in DeWanna Bonner hurts in the post, but the Mercury seem to be heading towards being a more perimeter-oriented team. Skylar Diggins-Smith was one of the best guards in the league before missing 2019, and Nia Coffey and Jessica Breland from Atlanta will add front court depth.

WNBA draft preview: Team picks, needs

New York Liberty
Dallas Wings
Indiana Fever
Atlanta Dream
Phoenix Mercury
Minnesota Lynx
Seattle Storm
Chicago Sky
Las Vegas Aces
Los Angeles Sparks
Connecticut Sun
Washington Mystics

Additions

Skylar Diggins-Smith (trade from Dallas Wings)
Bria Hartley (free agency)
Nia Coffey (trade from Atlanta)
Jessica Breland (trade from Atlanta)

Departures

Briann January (trade to Connecticut)
Sancho Lyttle (retirement)
Camille Little (retirement)
DeWanna Bonner (trade to Connecticut)

2020 WNBA Draft

Picks

1st, #10 (10th overall)
2nd, #6 (18th overall)
3rd, #5 (29th overall)

Needs

The Mercury are set at the point and post with Sky Digg and Griner, but could use a swing player that can defend multiple positions and fill in when Taurasi can’t go — which might be more often due to her age and injury status. Megan Walker from UConn can space the floor as well as get her own baskets, but still needs some polish in her all-around game. A veteran team around her could help, as the tools are there for the 2020 AAC Player of The Year.

If Bella Alarie from Princeton is still here at #10, she makes sense with her size and skills. Alarie had to carry the Tigers night in and night out, but how well she can do off-the-ball is a question. If she’s got the complementary skills, she makes the Mercury an instant contender.

Otherwise Kiah Gillespie from FSU or Jocelyn Willoughby from UVA could be a fit.