Training Camp Report | Bench Development And A Few Roster Moves

The Lynx had a successful trip to Vegas over the weekend where they beat the Aces 75-79. While fans weren’t able to watch the game, probably because what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, you can check out the box score.

Minnesota has approached their preseason a bit differently than some teams. They played both their games and their scrimmage against the Chinese National Team with rotations that were similar to ones that we will see in the regular season, and they played every game to win.

Not all was rosy in Vegas, but at the end of the day the Lynx came out winners, and that’s important.

“I didn’t like that we shot 37 percent and gave up 29 free throws, but I do like that we won the game, that we were playing hard enough,” said Reeve at training camp on Tuesday. “We were difficult to play against, I thought that was the biggest thing. That’s how you win games. Sometimes it’s going to be ugly.”

A big part of the focus in the early going has been on shoring up and solidifying Minnesota’s bench play. Odyssey Sims has been brilliant, and Lexie Brown has also emerged as a great contributor. Jessica Shepard and Napheesa Collier are growing into their own as well.

“It’s nice to have a group that can come off the bench together instead of depending heavily on one or two people and I think that second unit, we can bring a lot of energy on the defensive end as well,” said Brown. “You’re not going to have the time to kind of feel out the game, you just have to hop in and make an impact or you’re probably going to end up back on the bench really quickly.”

The bench players’ goal is to support the starters, hold and build upon their leads or recover from their deficits, and be the best teammates they can.

“We have so much respect for that first group—everything they’ve done for this program and organization—all we want to do is pick them up when we can,” said Brown. “I’m sure the rotations are going to change as the season goes on but I think that group has a lot of chemistry. We have a lot of fun out there.”

A Flurry Of Moves 

The Lynx made a few roster moves on Tuesday, sending a 2020 second-round pick to Phoenix in exchange for Stephanie Talbot and a 2020 third-rounder to Chicago for Alaina Coates. Talbot is a forward who was taken in the third round of the 2014 WNBA draft and played well last season in a backup role for the Mercury. She could have a role to play on this team at power forward especially until Temi Fagbenle completes her overseas commitments which will resume in a few weeks.

Coates is a center who was taken second overall in 2017 but never really got her footing in Chicago after missing the entire 2017 season due to ankle surgery. The Lynx could be a great place for her to figure things out and it’s great value to upgrade a third-round pick to a former first-round selection. She’ll be the only true center on the roster other than Sylvia Fowles.

In corresponding moves, the Lynx waived Kenisha Bell and Jillian Alleyne. Both players had good camps and earned the respect of their teammates and coaches, but they were victims of a competitive training camp and a team clearly seeking more size and frontcourt depth.

Quick Hits

• Reeve had some nice things to say about new Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders: “Ryan is, as we say, one of the good guys. Been around a long time. When I first got here he would come to practices, he’s just a basketball guy, and obviously I think just a great story… We’re all pulling for him. I said that before, I like the setup for him, I like Gersson [Rosas] being here to be a mentor to him, and obviously the players like him.”
• As team rankings and championship odds come out before the season begins, many aren’t expecting the Lynx to perform well, but Reeve said the team isn’t paying much attention to that—nor should they be. They’re focusing on what they can control and on building a new identity for this team.
• The Lynx open their season on Saturday at home against the Sky. Tickets are available here.