{"id":662458,"date":"2026-05-24T15:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T15:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/662458\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T15:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T15:04:11","slug":"5-decisions-wnba-teams-still-regret-two-weeks-into-the-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/662458\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Decisions WNBA Teams Still Regret Two Weeks Into the Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

When WNBA teams make big decisions\u2014whether they are about roster construction, asset management, or coaching hires\u2014there\u2019s always a risk that they will backfire and turn into long-lasting regrets. Sometimes, these decisions are unavoidable, but that doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t hurt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just over two weeks into the WNBA\u2019s 30th season, several teams should still feel some regrets over decisions they made\u2014or didn\u2019t make\u2014in the past.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Golden State Valkyries should regret letting go of Carla Leite\"Carla<\/p>\n

May 12, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Fire guard Carla Leite (0) runs out to the court during introductions before a game against New York Liberty at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

With Veronica Burton firmly established as the Valkyries\u2019 starting point guard, Carla Leite never would have had the same opportunities she now has with the Portland Fire if she had stayed in the Bay Area. Moreover, the Valkyries simply had too many contributors to protect in the expansion draft. Protecting her just would\u2019ve led to the same outcome with another player. Still, knowing that you let go of a player with her talent and potential<\/a> has to cause some regrets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Storm used their second first-round pick on a player who overperformed in the NCAA Tournament\"Taina<\/p>\n

Apr 25, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Storm guard Taina Mair (22) shrugs her shoulders after a foul against the Golden State Valkyries in the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images | David Gonzales-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Storm had two first-round picks this year. They selected Awa Fam\u2014a natural choice when she was still available to go third overall\u2014and Taina Mair. The latter pick was perhaps the biggest surprise of the draft after the Valkyries\u2019 decision to trade Flau\u2019jae Johnson to the Storm.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mair was a solid player at Duke, but she wasn\u2019t projected to be a first-round pick. She had two great performances in the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight that seemingly prompted the Storm to take a swing. They ended up waiving Mair and signing her to a development contract. She has only played three regular-season minutes so far.<\/p>\n

Other teams should be worried about the fact that they let the Las Vegas Aces sign Chennedy Carter\"Chennedy<\/p>\n

May 15, 2026; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter (23) drives the ball to the basket against the Connecticut Sun in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Aces may have just lost a close game to the Los Angeles Sparks, but they are still one of the most experienced and deepest teams in the WNBA and one of the favorites to win yet another title. Chennedy Carter is a big reason for that. She gives Becky Hammon another basically unstoppable scorer<\/a> and disruptive defender to bring off the bench. If the Aces repeat, we will look back and wonder how in the world they were able to add Carter to their 2025 championship core.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Sky should have abandoned the two-big experiment earlier\"Chicago<\/p>\n

May 29, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Rebecca Allen (9), guard Ariel Atkins (7), guard Courtney Vandersloot (22), center Kamilla Cardoso (10), and forward Angel Reese (5) are seen during the first half against the Dallas Wings at the Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Losing Rickea Jackson<\/a> to a torn ACL could seriously stall the Sky\u2019s improvement, especially with other key players still sidelined as well. Nevertheless, it\u2019s obvious that Chicago is better off just having one of Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. It was a flawed pairing right from the start. The Sky\u2019s newfound success makes one wonder. Should they have drafted differently in 2024? How far ahead could they be if they had traded Reese earlier?<\/p>\n

Giving up a chance to get Bridget Carleton still hurts the Toronto Tempo\"Bridget<\/p>\n

May 23, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Portland Fire forward Bridget Carleton (6) celebrates after scoring against the Toronto Tempo during the second half at Coca-Cola Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images | Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

There was no doubt that Bridget Carleton would be selected early on if the Minnesota Lynx left her unprotected in the expansion draft. The Canadian native was an obvious target for Toronto, but the Tempo chose to get the higher pick in the college draft instead of picking first in the expansion draft. That choice allowed the Portland Fire to steal Carleton with the first pick. Carleton is thriving in a bigger role. It\u2019s a missed opportunity not to have a local talent play her best season yet for the first Canadian WNBA team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s difficult to consider this choice a mistake per se. After all, choosing the sixth overall pick in the college draft allowed the Tempo to draft Kiki Rice, who is off to a great start and has more long-term potential than Carleton.<\/p>\n

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