ATLANTA – New Atlanta Dream star Brittney Griner says her one-year deal was based mostly on extra than simply positioning herself for a much bigger deal when the WNBA’s new collective bargaining settlement is predicted to take impact in a single yr.
Griner’s 11-year stick with the Phoenix Mercury ended when she agreed to signal with Atlanta in a deal that turned official on Saturday.
Griner joins one other free-agent addition, three-time All-Star Brionna Jones, in Atlanta’s frontcourt. Griner, a 10-time All-Star, signed with Atlanta after testing free company for the primary time. The Dream might face strain to benefit from what could also be seen as a one-year alternative with its new roster.
“I’ll simply say this with the CBA, , lots of people signed one-year offers,” Griner stated Tuesday at her introduction with the Dream. “It’s extra than simply cash. I don’t need folks to suppose that everyone signed a one-year deal simply because they’re cash loopy. There’s plenty of different necessary issues which can be going to be in our CBA in that, , individuals are going to wish to be eligible for.
“I’ll simply say this, my monitor document is once I decide I keep it up. I’ll simply go away it at that proper there.”
The Dream completed 15-25 final season and misplaced within the first spherical of the playoffs. Atlanta has not received a playoff sport since making the convention finals in 2018.
The addition of Griner, a 10-time All-Star and probably the most notable free-agent signee in franchise historical past, instantly generates increased expectations for the brand new season.
Griner averaged 17.8 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks final season with Phoenix. She’s third on the WNBA’s profession blocks checklist, 65 behind chief Margo Dydek.
One other new face on Atlanta’s roster, taking pictures guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, joined Griner and Jones at Tuesday’s information convention.
The Dream’s returning basis contains Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Grey.
The instant problem for Dream common supervisor Dan Padover might be convincing Griner and the opposite new gamers to stay in Atlanta for multiple season.
“That begins tomorrow,” Padover stated. “However that’s our job. Our job is day in, time out to point out these gamers why not solely they need to come right here however why they need to keep right here. And I’ve at all times stated an important factor is to recruit your individual gamers. So all through this yr, we’re at all times recruiting our personal gamers, ensuring they really feel love, ensuring they understand how necessary they’re to us in order that they by no means wish to go away and wish to be part of this metropolis.”
Atlanta first-year coach Karl Smesko might be anticipated to supply an instantaneous winner. He did not shrink back from the strain to win when seated subsequent to his new stars on Tuesday.
“We made it clear we wish to compete for a championship,” Smesko stated. “We needed to herald individuals who had been proficient and I believe we’re effectively on the way in which. … It has the makings for a really particular crew and that’s the expectation.”
Griner missed the 2022 season when she was detained for almost 10 months in Russia after authorities stated a search of her baggage revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from hashish. She was freed in a prisoner swap when the US launched infamous Russian arms seller Viktor Bout.
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