As the April 10 WNBA Draft approaches, the Minnesota Lynx are continuing to try and reload a roster that has seen Maya Moore, Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus retire or take a leave of absence the last two years.
While they won’t have a shot at two franchise players (Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally) at the top of the draft, the Lynx will still look to land someone with the sixth overall pick who can help soften the blow of losing veterans and get Minnesota back into contention for a playoff spot.
Based on mock drafts, it seems like the consensus is that the Lynx will be looking for a point guard in the first round. BBall Index’s latest mock draft has the Lynx taking South Carolina guard Tyasha Harris, who profiles as a pass-first point guard.
“[Harris] is a true point guard who can help give the ball to reigning ROY Napheesa Collier and All-Star Sylvia Fowles,” Aneela Khan of BBall Index said of the pick. “Her first instinct is to pass the ball rather than score and that fits what the Minnesota Lynx want from that position.”
ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel agreed in her mock draft, citing Harris’ ability to help her teammates and contribute on the defensive end of the floor.
“[Harris] did a great job directing the offense for the No. 1-ranked Gamecocks, and was a respected leader for the three freshmen who were in the starting lineup,” Voepel said. “She has good size at 5-10 and is a strong defensive player. Harris has an unflappable presence on the court, and that should translate well to the pro game.”
Harris isn’t the only guard that’s being mentioned as a potential first-round pick as Newsday’s Mike Rose suggested the Lynx could select Texas A&M guard Chennedy Carter, who averaged 21.3 points per game for the Aggies last season.
“Minnesota should take the dynamic high scoring guard,” Rose said. “The Lynx are in a transition period with Augustus now in L.A. and Moore still away from the game, but they can build around a young tandem of Collier and Carter.”
The best way to figure out what the Lynx are thinking could be from their own website. While they caution they are not completely sure of what Cheryl Reeve will do at No. 6, they also suggested that Carter could be the pick.
“This seems like it’d be a pretty perfect fit,” Kyle Ratke wrote. “The Lynx are in need of some help in the backcourt and Carter is a player who can light up the box score real quick. If you’re a Lynx fan, this is a pick that should make you happy.”
The consensus seems to be that the Lynx will be addressing the backcourt in the draft, but who they decide to take won’t be known until they go on-the-clock in 11 days.
