Liz Cambage is a great player. A true center can sometimes be hard to come by in the WNBA. She technically isn’t a free agent yet. Last year, the Aces used the core player designation for the first time. They can do so again which would take her off the market. Think of the core player designation like the franchise tag in football. Cambage would get a one year deal for the supermax, which is $228,094. The only way designated core players can change teams is with a sign and trade. If Liz Cambage opts for a fresh start, here are some teams that could be in the mix for her.
New York Liberty
This one is a no brainer. New York has a lot of height on the roster, but no centers. Cambage brings a great inside presence and veteran leadership to a very young team. Newly minted head coach Sandy Brondello can draw up some of the plays that Brittney Griner ran for her in Phoenix.
Indiana Fever
This probably has no chance of happening, but Indiana needs help. It seems like whatever they do they come in dead last or close to it. The Fever drafted Lauren Cox a few seasons back to serve as the primary big, but that didn’t work out due to injuries and COVID. Cambage may be looking for a team with a bigger market and winning culture for her next club which would pretty much eliminate the Fever from contention. Indiana already has Teaira McCowan as a young 6 foot 7 center. With her being the only center on the team, Cambage may come off the bench and offer some veteran support for her if she makes this move.
Los Angeles Sparks
This is where Cambage wanted to go initially when she asked for a trade out of Dallas. Fred Williams was her head coach with the Wings and as of right now, he is listed as an assistant for the Sparks. Williams acted as a support system for her in Dallas. The Sparks had a down year but have a good amount of talent on the roster. This is a team to watch if Cambage becomes available.
Seattle Storm
It’s a long shot for sure. But it would be fun to see Breanna Stewart and Liz Cambage play together. This gives Seattle some flexibility to not always put Stewart at the center spot. She could play forward while Cambage plays center, and be the recipient of a lot of passes from Sue Bird.
Phoenix Mercury
Same idea as Seattle. Backup Brittney Griner, play with Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith. Alanna Smith is another fellow Aussie who Cambage could mentor if Smith stays.
Final Thoughts
Former Aces head coach Bill Laimbeer was once asked how to coach Liz Cambage. His answer, with respect. Cambage has had some mental health struggles that she has been open about. No matter if she stays in Vegas, goes back to Australia, or picks a new team in the W, that team must commit to providing her with support systems. An article she wrote in The Players Tribune in 2019 detailed some of her struggles and specifically a mental health emergency after a game. Give the article a read if you have some spare time.
She also mentioned how going to a team on the west coast was helpful because she had family there. If she still feels like she wants to be close to them, New York and Indiana are out of the conversation. Either way, someone is getting a talented center.
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