NEW BEGINNINGS IN SEATTLE

It’s a new day for the Seattle Storm, and they’ve got a lot to figure out.

The Storm had the third pick in last week’s WNBA Draft, and they were able to select 19-year-old center Awa Fam Thiam. Fam has been a rising star across Europe and comes to the WNBA with a lot of fanfare and great expectations.

She’ll also be joining a strong frontcourt. With Dominique Malonga and newly re-signed Ezi Magbegor, Fam will have time to acclimate to the WNBA's speed and pace.

On the latest edition of Tempestade Talk, Erica L. Ayala and Roberta F. Rodrigues broke down the latest with the Seattle Storm

“I think being young, they’re going to develop together, they’re going to develop that chemistry with each other,” new Storm head coach Sonia Raman said. “There are a lot of ways that we’re going to be able to move them around and be able to kind of play off of each other in a really dynamic way.”

Not to be outdone, the Storm pulled off a Draft Day caper. The Golden State Valkyries had selected Flau’jae Johnson with the eighth overall pick, but traded her to the Storm for a 2028 second-round pick and Marta Suarez. While the Valks have had to answer for their decision, Flau’jae is excited to contribute to a team that wanted her.

"I bring the energy,” Johnson told Good Morning America. “I play hard on both sides of the ball, and I want to win. When I came to college, I won a national championship, and I was with a winning squad -- I know it takes time to build, but I'm ready to come in, I'm ready to make an impact, and most of all, I'm ready to learn.”

2026 is a good time for the Storm to reset. With a young roster and a new head coach, they can position themselves for success in the future following some disappointing seasons.

It’s a long road back to contention, but things can go well if they make the right choices.

Here’s what you need to know today:

🪽 A new era in Dallas
The number one pick met the media, and then things got complicated.

💰 Money moves
A’ja Wilson sets another record.

📰 What we’re reading
Some great writing that’s come across our desks.

A NEW DAY, WITH SOME NEW QUESTIONS

The Dallas Wings have been on the rebuilding path for the past few years. Step 1 was an overwhelming success when they selected Paige Bueckers with the first pick in the 2025 Draft. They won the WNBA Draft lottery again and selected Connecticut’s Azzi Fudd in this year’s Draft.

Fudd has been rumored to be the first pick since last winter. Fudd’s excellent college career and shooting ability have been on the Wings’ radar for a long time and were a big factor in their draft process.

Fudd’s defense will also be critical to the Wings’ chances going forward. The Wings franchise hasn’t finished top five in team defensive rating since 2008… when they were the Detroit Shock.

Nekias Duncan of The Dunker Spot asked Fudd and new Wings head coach Jose Fernandez about the team’s defense and how things will fit this upcoming season

Dallas has overhauled their roster this spring with the acquisitions of 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith, along with backup center Jessica Shepard. For the Wings to compete, they have to be a LOT better defensively, and these moves are a step in the right direction.

However, another question took up most people’s attention.

Since the Draft, there’s been discussion about the selection of Fudd and the Wings’ thought process. It seemingly started when journalist and author Jeff Pearlman accused Fudd’s agents and the WNBA of threatening to withhold access from the media if they asked about Fudd’s relationship with Bueckers.

Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News attended the Wings’ introductory press conference on April 16th and decided to ask the following:

Before Fudd could answer, Wings Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Pam Flenke interjected and said:

"I understand why you have to ask that question, but we're going to respectfully decline from commenting on our players' personal lives.”

Inevitably, the story became about the reaction and the reaction to the reaction. A sports media self-congratulatory culture, if you will.

Generally, I’m on the side of “You can ask a personal question the first time, but once you get a response, move on.”

From experience, I’ve seen players shut down questions they deemed personal about their health or their partner's health. Once that boundary is established, everyone should respect it and proceed accordingly. It’s more than reasonable, and it appears that a dynamic was at play in Dallas.

There are so many fun, cool aspects of the WNBA. The game continues to grow, and many people are providing great coverage.

It’s up to everyone to keep basketball the main thing. If we don’t, we can fall prey to salaciousness and gossip.

Everyone loses if that happens.

SUPERMAX FOR THE SUPERSTAR

A’ja Wilson has consistently set the standard for excellence in everything she’s done. Now, she’s set an entirely new standard.

On April 16, it was reported that Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces agreed to a 3-year, $5 million supermax contract extension. It’s the richest contract in WNBA history and another signature moment for the game’s greatest player.

"A'ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today," Aces president and General Manager Nikki Fargas said. "Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity, and grace. We look forward to continuing to see her thrive in an Aces uniform.”

A’ja Wilson is the gold standard. She’s won everywhere she’s been, has excelled in every role given to her, and is someone people look up to.

This contract is a well-deserved reward and acknowledgment that she is the person who drives the Aces to where they are today.

At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in the women’s basketball community.

Here’s what we’re reading:

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