Even though the Connecticut Sun advanced to the WNBA Finals for the second time in four years, it has been an offseason of change in Uncasville.
At the season’s end, we proposed that, despite postseason success, the Sun might look to move on from head coach Curt Miller, suggesting that a fresh signal-caller could reinvigorate a talented roster that too often found itself in ruts, especially on the offensive end. Connecticut did not have to make that decision, as Miller, who also served as the Sun general manager, made it, choosing to head to LA to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks.
After Miller’s move, Connecticut called on Stephanie White, who previously had served as head coach of the Indiana Fever (2015-2016) before she spent five seasons at the helm of the Vanderbilt Commodores (2016-2021), to become the organization’s sixth head coach. White has begun to fill out her staff, hiring Abi Olajuwon, daughter of Hakeem who had a cup of coffee in the WNBA before establishing an overseas career, and recently-retired former Sun Briann January, who also played under White in Indiana, as assistant coaches.
Sun President Jen Rizzotti also has bolstered the front office, bringing in Darius Taylor as general manager and elevating Director of Franchise Development Morgan Tuck to assistant general manager.
Will all of the Sun’s significant leadership changes be followed by significant roster changes? The answer is a resounding “Yes!”
By the numbers*
Free agent (type) (2022 salary)
- Brionna Jones (unrestricted) ($120,000)
- Courtney Williams (unrestricted) ($103,000)
- Natisha Hiedeman (restricted) ($72,141)
- Bria Hartley (unrestricted) ($23,000)
- Joyner Holmes (reserved) ($58,076)
Total average salary of free agents: $376,217
Total team salary: $984,187
Cap space: $436,313
Analysis
Since the outset of last season, it has been assumed that 2022 would mark Brionna Jones’ final season in Connecticut. With the 2021 Most Improved Player and 2022 Sixth Woman of the Year poised to command a significant raise, likely elevating her $120,000 yearly salary to the max of $202,154, the Sun did not possess the salary cap space needed to feasibly re-sign her.
Well, now they do!
Actually, 2022…
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