Tulsa, Minnesota and New York rework rosters with multi-player trade
Bill Laimbeer earned his reputation as “Trader Bill” while in Detroit, and he is out to regain that moniker in New York. His goal, it seems, is to recapture the championship glory of the Detroit Shock by bringing in familiar faces.
After signing Katie Smith earlier this week to join Liberty returnees Kara Braxton and Plenette Piersen, Laimbeer today added the rights to former Shock shooting guard Deanna Nolan in a multi-team trade with the Tulsa Shock and Minnesota Lynx that also resulted in guard Candice Wiggins, forward Nicole Powell, and wayward center Janel McCarville changing locales.
Nolan, cored by Tulsa since the Detroit franchise relocated to Tulsa, has not played in the WNBA since the 2009 sesaon, and it is believed that her contract with Ekaterinburg in Russia will prevent her from playing this season as well.
McCarville, the former All-American from the University of Minnesota will return to her old stomping grounds, joining the Lynx after sitting out the last two WNBA seasons while the Liberty held her contractual rights. The arrival of McCarville, a center with strong rebounding, passing and off the ball skills, may mean the end of the line in Minnesota for veteran Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who is coaching at Rice University this college season and remains a free agent.
Tulsa continues to build by adding pieces to their roster that can contribute immediately. Having lost Ivory Latta this offseason, the addition of Wiggins will not only potentially give Wiggins the opportunity to start, it gives the Shock a defensive minded guard with size to play against some of the stronger Western conference guards. Powell, who struggled some in 2012, is a veteran presence that can still make a big shot. The Shock have added two championship experienced players to join youngsters like Glory Johnson, a returning Liz Cambage, and this year’s first round draft choice, probably Skylar Diggins. There is the added bonus that Wiggins and Diggins are tremendous friends, who will be excited to play together.
