and then also you're one of the top free agency free agents in this uh this year so I mean do you do you have any ideas of what you might prioritize or do you plan to stay in Dallas next season yeah I mean I've already communicated with Dallas um how grateful I am um because they've made this a home for me for the past years and I'm working with them together and finding a next home for me because I will like I've already played my last game in Dallas breaking news WNBA free agency is starting to heat up as satu saali finally breaks her silence and confirms she's played her final game for Dallas the WNBA star is now eyeing her next move and it's definitely going to change the landscape of women's basketball two teams are in the running but one has a secret weapon that could change everything and I'm just excited I'm excited for free agency I'm able to talk to a lot of players um outside the league because I have not played on a different team yet and I'm excited to get to know them more on a personal level but also knowing how how they approach the game and I just love having basketball conversations and high level IQ conversations about the game to know where I will fit best in the future is it the defending Champion New York Liberty or could Caitlyn Clark and the Indiana Fever pull off the biggest acquisition of the off season we've got exclusive details on how the Indiana Fever could land sabali and why it makes more sense than you might think get ready for a deep dive into the move that could create the w W NBA's next Dynasty are you ready let's go Ben uh yeah to just fallowing up there I guess cuz you said it tat what was Dallas's reaction when you communicated that to them um obviously at first they we still trying but I think what is most affect is is is working with the player and um listening to their wishes and figing out how we can find a best solution for each other picture this sat saali the star forward of the Dallas Wings just dropped a bombshell that's shaking up the entire WNBA are you ready for this sabali announced she's played her last game for Dallas but why now what's behind this sudden move so there was always great communication um more so on the agent agent front now because I need to focus on unrivaled and I will so I'm trusting the people that I have on my staff and the front office with office to solve that further so I have good communication with them the wings were building something special they had saali arri K and the first overall pick of the 2025 WNBA draft presumably Paige Beckers or possibly Olivia miles now it's all falling apart let's break down sa's time in Dallas for Five Seasons she's been a force to be reckoned with averaging an impressive 15. 7 points seven rebounds and 3. 6 assists per game but injuries have been a thorn in her side with only one season where she played more than 20 games now here's where it gets interesting despite missing the first half of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury saali came back with a vengeance she put up career-high numbers averaging 17.
9 points and shooting a blistering 45. 2% from Beyond The Ark talk about making a statement the year she is having one of the most versatile players in the league she has such soft touch on her jump shot but sa didn't just say she's leaving she said she's working with Dallas to find her next home home with Dallas likely to core her the wings will make sure they get something in return let's dig deeper there's been Whispers of tension between saali and the wings organization she's been playing on one-year deals never committing long-term her last contract a cool $195,000 for a single season that's a lot of cash but for a player of sab's caliber it might not be enough so satu Sab has officially said that she is gone she is not coming back to the Dallas Wings which I thought was interesting CU I did think that with satu with her Paige Becker is likely going to go to the wings with satu with arque gumbo they could have been a really good team and the plot thickens the wings are in the middle of a major shakeup they have a new GM a new coach and they're facing the potential loss of other key players in free agency it's like a perfect storm of change in Dallas sabal's departure isn't just about her it's a game changer for the entire league teams are scrambling trying to figure out how to land this star player two teams are emerging as Front Runners let's first talk about the team where satu has a lot of personal connections then we'll talk about the team likely to land her there must be something going on with the Dallas wings so obviously satu said that would unrivaled as you guys can see here WNBA free agent satu Sabby declares time with the wings is done look the wings aren't going to give her up for nothing should be Cordon traded same thing that happen with Skyler Diggins when she played for the wings they cord her they traded her and see here January 7 article by Annie cons wrot there's understanding around the league that satu will be on the Move um after the wings make for a core player this weekend when GMS can be in sanding and qualify offers in Core tages Family Ties College connections and a championship pedigree the New York Liberty and satu sabali seem like a dream fit but sometimes dreams come with a hefty price tag are the Liberty about to face their toughest opponent yet the salary cap let's paint a picture of what the Liberty bring to the table they're not just good they're the reigning WNBA Champions imagine stepping onto the court alongside jonquel Jones Sabrina yonescu and Briana Stewart that's a lineup that makes opponents lose sleep at night and for sabali it's not just about the star power it's personal would you want to play with your sister yeah of course in a future I would love that picture this sawu suiting up next to her sister Nara sabali who's already wearing Liberty colors that's a family reunion on the hardwood and let's not forget about Sabrina yonescu sat's college teammate from their Oregon days the chemistry it's already there just waiting to be rekindled then the best trade package is the Liberty I still think that would be our preference because New York is still New York yes it's not the Indiana Fever but it's still New York she's playing with Sabrina she gets to play with her sister she plays with phich who she plays for with the German national team and it's as good as guaranteed a championship it would break the league to be completely honest but here's where it gets tricky the Liberty's roster is like a luxury sports car Sleek powerful and Incredibly expensive they've got three max players eating up a huge chunk of their salary cap Jones yonescu and Stewart are all Max contract players adding sa to that mix it's nearly impossible how the New York situation might not come to fruition because of salary cap and them actually have enough money to get her so what's the game plan could we see some creative contract magic maybe Stuart who's a free agent but has said she's coming back takes a pay cut or does SA agree to a smaller paycheck for a shot at a ring let's say they figure out the money there's still another catch the Liberty's forward rotation is already stacked if saali joins she might find herself fighting for minutes and opportunities at touching the ball it's a far cry from her star role in Dallas here's the cold hard truth as much as the Liberty might want saby and as much as she might want them sometimes the numbers just don't add up it's like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole you can try but something's got to give I see a lot of players wanting to go in this off season a lot of players are going to want to go to the fever forget about New York for a second there's a storm brewing in Indiana and it's about to shake up the entire WNBA the fever have a war chest of a little over $650,000 in cap space to spend this offseason but what's their master plan and who's on their shopping list this time it's it's very obvious they need depth they need defense and they're trying to win right now they cannot really Bridge things any longer let's talk about the fever's front office shakeup they've brought in some serious Firepower Stephanie white the Indiana legend and a former fever player coach and WNBA coach of the year is now at the helm this isn't just any coach we're talking about a championship caliber leader who knows how to build a winning team but that's not all Kelly kracoff is back as team president and they've snagged Amber Cox as general manager this tree isn't here to play games they're here to win championships the future is so bright and our ultimate goal is to hang another Banner in the Fieldhouse and our ultimate goal is to to come back in here after we win that championship and celebrate again like we did in 2012 now picture this Caitlyn Clark the scoring and passing machine teaming up with theaba Boston the inside Powerhouse add in Kelsey Mitchell's scoring and Veteran Savvy and Lexi Hull's shooting that's a core that could make some serious noise noise but the fever aren't satisfied they're hungry for more here's where it gets interesting the fever have four key priorities this offse are you ready for this first up they're going all in to resign Kelsey Mitchell no surprise there she's a Cornerstone of this franchise but it's the next three priorities that have got everyone buzzing priority number two beefing up the forward position they're not just looking for any forward they want length they want defense and they want someone who can score when needed sound like anyone we know building quality depth is going to be important you know when you have a core three like we have you know surrounding them with players who are going to you know fill the roles certainly first and foremost uh who are going to embrace the roles you know secondly and who give us the best opportunities for success by complimenting what they do really really well third on the list versatile Wings who can score and defend the fever want to surround Clark and Mitchell with Firepower they're building an offensive Juggernaut that can also lock down on defense and finally they're in the market for a backup guard someone who can keep the offense humming when Clark or Mitchell need a breather this is about depth folks Championship level depth tonight William slips the oh get that egg out of my basket Dallas needed a little bit of juice a little bit of energy right there thank you for that stat now let's connect the dots a versatile forward who can score defend and provide l length a player who could perfectly complement their Fab Four are you thinking what I'm thinking satu sabali that's right the fever's offseason priorities read like a SAU sa job description and with that cap space they've got the cash to make it happen the fever aren't just throwing money around they're building something special something that could last imagine Sab joining forces with Clark Boston Mitchell and Hull that's not just a team that's a potential Dynasty in the making we are at a point where um we have an attractive group we have a great organization we can attract a few free agents to to come here and bolster um and keep us on the path that we're on and get this the fever's management isn't being shy about their intentions they've made it clear they're taking an aggressive approach to free agency they're not just looking to make the playoffs they're aiming for the championship and they're willing to do whatever it takes to get there so how will this exactly happen a few years ago Indiana wasn't exactly the first place comes to mind when you think of WNBA free agent destinations right but now the fever have everything satu sabali could want they've got the money enough to offer both Kelsey Mitchell and saali a Max contract more than what New York can offer and still have some change left over to sign key veterans they've got the need a versatile forward who can score from anywhere on the court and defend multiple positions that's sabali to a te allowing her a big enough role in the team and they've got something no other team in the league has Caitlyn Clark are you in a position where you can add some pieces yes we are we're we're definitely in a position and I would think that if you are um a smart basketball player and you watch the way she plays you would want to play with her Indiana isn't just offering saali a paycheck they're offering her a chance to be part of something special a starting role on a team that's on the rise a chance to be the missing piece that turns a good team into a great one and most importantly a to play alongside a once in a generation Talent with Indiana you get the eighth pick for satu and you probably get you probably get the eighth Nelissa Smith and either a 2026 first or Grace Burger picture this sab's versatility paired with Clark's otherworldly passing ability it's not just a good fit it's a match made in basketball Heaven sa's been shooting lights out from Beyond The Arc 40.
