Nothing Is Promised in the WNBA
It’s Sunday morning and you’ve played an “ok” game yesterday and a somewhat questionable game last week. It shouldn’t be anything to worry about, then BAM, you’re cut! You’re literally off of a team. Not just any team, but a professional team. Or maybe you’ve been called up and got an offer for a four game contract in replacement of an injured player, but it turns out to be for only one game. Of course, the organization you have signed to will say “It’s always possible for us to call you back. Anything can happen so please stick around”. Does all this sound familiar? Yes, this is the WNBA.
The WNBA is one of the most trialed sports I’ve ever witnessed. Players are constantly in a pending status in this league, unless, of course, if you’re in a generous contract. So, multi-year contracts or lack of depth due to injury will save the player from uncertainty of being without a job. In the WNBA, being drafted that does not mean that there is guarantee spot on the roster. Players drafted beyond the first round are subject to get cut at any moment of the season, because this the draftees can be waived without notice at any time. A prime example of being let-go mid-season is the case of Gwathmey.
Indiana Fever, announced that guard Jazmon Gwathmey was released in exchange for forward Asia Taylor. Gwathmey started last year for the Fever and had decent time off of the bench this season. Taylor, who spent one year with the Mystics, was waived by them on May 14th of this year.
Let’s discuss an example that happened a little earlier in the West. Guard Karlie Samuelson signed a contract with Los Angeles Sparks on May 19th and was released on May 28th. Prior to this contract, the she was waived on May 17th, but, due to apparent need to fill in a spot temporarily they brought her back in.
Even if a player is waived from one team that does not mean there are no opportunities for them in the WNBA. Mercedes Russell was waived by New York Liberty and was later picked up by Seattle Storm. Teana Muldrow, was drafted by Seattle Storm as the number five pick in the third round of the 2018 draft. Muldrow was waived by the Storm on May 30th, and was picked up by Dallas Wings on June 12th. This is just to name a couple of waived players that were picked up by other teams.
This is a not cinch league as outsiders think it is. False spectators that have not given the WNBA a chance because they think anyone can compete and it’s not super flashy like the NBA are all wrong. It’s more than making a lay-up to this game. Teams want the best fit for what they have. Your name and what you did in the past will not grant you an opportunity. It is all about what you can produce at this very moment. Just because you’re a veteran with a good track record that does not mean you’re safe in the WNBA. There is no free roster riding here!
-Dori Williams
