The fragmented WNBA has a golden opportunity to make a bold statement this offseason.
Their inspiration might come from a very conservative source – their male counterpart.
As it attempts to gain stature, the WNBA has problems familiar to the NBA: veteran players jealous of young stars, minimal loyalty, tanking and college stars hoping to go undrafted by certain teams.
There is a solution to all of these problems, and it is best imagined using the NBA as an example.
Imagine if NBA rosters were separated by birth, rather than drafts and free agency.
If you were born in 1984, like LeBron, you are assigned to Team 84.
No trade. No up or down play. Just a group of guys who could learn to live and play together as long as they were the best in their age group.
And let’s talk about turning a negative into a positive: a good reason for older players to hate younger players, and vice versa.
The lists are determined by open trials each year. Just bring a birth certificate.
Each team then receives an identical load of money printed on TV revenues with which they can pay their players. Bonuses linked to performance and team success would also be available, allowing the best players and teams to be rewarded.
The first year, all teams would play in a single division. After that, they would be separated into heavyweight and lightweight tiers, based on the previous year’s record, with a set number of annual promotions and relegations.
The lists would become familiar. Imagine that. Alas, that could be a good thing or a bad thing, but annual team selections and inevitable retirements could reshape things as needed.
And with guys like LeBron, Durant and Curry working with their teammates year after year, imagine the potential development of young talents who are now being sent to new, unwanted homes and career-ending situations.
Would that be fun? How could this not be the case? Every game would be an All-Star Game – except with defense and an incentive to win.
Could this be competitive? Be the judge.
Here are the potential NBA rosters I’ve put together:
1984: Chris Bosh, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Andre Iguodala, JJ Redick.
Tell me you wouldn’t pay to watch this team, even at their snail’s pace.
1985: Dwight Howard, PJ Tucker, Taj Gibson, Monta Ellis, Chris Paul.
Light division, here we come…
1986: Al Horford, Jeff Green, Wesley Matthews, Kyle Lowry, George Hill.
Something tells me Rajon Rondo would make a return.
1987: Andrew Bynum, James Johnson, Joe Ingles, Danny Green, Mike Conley.
At the very least, Bynum would love to prove he’s 7-foot-2, something the NBA has never acknowledged.
1988: Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry.
This is where the real competition begins. Curry or no Curry, Patrick Beverley wants to start.
1989: Markieff and Marcus Morris, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden.
Can we convince Blake Griffin to come out of retirement?
1990: Nikola Vucevic, Draymond Green, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard.
Another positive point of this new provision: no back-to-back. Is this enough to attempt a return of John Wall, Kemba Walker or DeMarcus Cousins?
1991: The Middletons, the Middlets, the CJ McColums, the Alec Burks.
Did you know that McCollum has more career points than Leonard?
1992: Rudy Gobert, Harrison Barnes, Jordan Clarkson, Kyrie Irving, TJ McConnell.
Given the limited other options, Irving could lead this league in scoring.
1993: Steven Adams, Andre Drummond, Anthony Davis, Norman Powell, Bradley Beal.
Nobody is attacking this front line.
1994: Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, Giannis Antechonpo, Pascal You, Derrick White.
Night fights would require depth, and this team has it: Fred VanVleet, Marcus Smart, Duncan Robinson…
1995: Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Aaron Gordon, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine.
Sorry, trading for a point guard isn’t allowed, so this team is stuck with Kristaps Porzingis.
1996: Domantas Sabonis, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson.
Hey, Team USA Olympic coaches, there’s four-fifths of your 2028 starting team.
1997: Adebayo Bam, Lauru Markkan, OG Anunoby, Jama Murray, Deon’s Fox.
OK, admit it – this league would be a lot of fun.
1998: Jarrett Allen, Jayson Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Austin Reaves, Trae Young.
Could Tatum and Young coexist? Would SGA ever see the ball?
1999: Naz Reid, Jaren Jackson Jr., Luka Doncic, Jordan Poole, Ja Morant.
Can you imagine how many open 3s Doncic and Morant would create for Poole? As if he needed another reason to shoot.
2000: Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Tyler Herro, Tyrese Maxey, Tyrese Haliburton.
There’s Onyeka Okongwu when Williamson gets hurt.
2001: Evan Mobley, Jalen Williams, Anthony Edwards, Cade Cunningham, LaMelo Ball.
Where have the great American men gone?
2002: Aleren Pangle, Holmg Lord, Hongen Berchroro, Josh Geddey, Green Shit, Green.
In case you’re wondering…the 2002 WNBA team would include Caitlin Clark AND Angel Reese. Isn’t that enough to consider this proposal?
2003: Jabari Smith Jr., Ausar and Amen Thompson, Shaedon Sharpe, Keyonte George.
Admit it: you’d like to see the Thompson twins on the same team someday.
2004: Derek Lively II, Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Bronny James, Scoot Henderson.
Sorry, we had to guarantee Bronny a spot to get LeBron to approve this crazy idea.
2005: Alex Sarr, Zacharie Risacher, Ron Holland, Bub Carrington, VJ Edgecomb.
The good news: A lot more help is on the way from the college game.
2006: Khaman Maluach, Ace Bailey, Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Jeremiah Fears.
Even college fans would embrace this concept, as NBA tryouts would not end a college career. If you are not part of the team, you will be able to return to the Alma Mater if you have remaining eligibility requirements.
