Satou Sabally Is Leaving Dallas! What WNBA Teams Could Trade For Her?

[@QuitaLovesSports]

Ooo you took a very different angle than me on Satou. As always you do have sound reasons I just think that Satou doesn’t make sense to anyone not looking to win now because it’s only a 1 year deal. But who knows, it’s the WNBA sometimes you get a GM that will give you a gift

[@markyg236]

I'm with you, a first plus seems awfully high for a rental. Maybe makes sense for NY since they are looking at another trip to the Finals.

[@Hendrxxhoops]

I swear everybody be turning right but Hunter turns left 😂😂 Is part of the reason I always watch his vids

[@amyk6319]

Also a lot of the top WNBA players currently in the league are 30 or older, so I really do think it will be important for all the teams to have young talent on their roster. So personally I think draft picks will have more value to teams going forward than they may have had in the past. Plus we have some great draft classes coming up that are decently deep.

[@amyk6319]

@@markyg236Agree & if it is also true that the cored contract allows the player to veto any trade they do not want to take, then it is even harder to justify giving much to the team that cored them. If that is the case then the team are stuck with whatever the team the player wants to go to is willing to offer them.

[@Go_Horns2024]

Ultimately, losing Satou and possibly Paige is the responsibility of Greg Bibb. His poor decisions in coaches, draft picks, facilities is the reason Dallas has poor reputation in league. He stepped down, but damage was already done. I don't blame Soutou one bit. If I were her, I would request NY or Las Vegas. Possibly Indiana. Great video as always.

[@Obilisk18]

I've seen other reporters say that the Core thing isn't an issue if you weren't cored BY the team you end up playing with. The reporters who said this pointed to a trade (I'm blanking on which trade) a few years ago where a player was cored and then traded to a team that already had a cored player.

[@mariettedorobis6967]

Thanks for breaking this down Hunter!! Free agency often confuses me, and this was so in depth, much appreciated!

[@HunterCruse14]

Glad to hear it! Appreciate you watching

[@faflafaflev3899]

I dont think NYC will give up Fiebich... Rookie scale deal is so good going into 2026...nah...

[@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h]

She already made it well known that she's not going to NY.,

[@thegoat6325]

They missing out then top five talent

[@thegoat6325]

​@@GreatlinClarkFan-c5hno she didn't

[@thegoat6325]

​@@GreatlinClarkFan-c5hy'all fever fans gotta stop lying

[@vvycked]

@@thegoat6325 she did. She said “in the future” when asked about playing with her sister. It won’t happen any time soon. Especially next season.

[@Kidkinsey]

If satou finds a way to the Liberty a dynasty is BORN

[@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h]

She already said she's not going there.

[@markyg236]

@@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h Not saying you're wrong, but where did you see this?

[@Hendrxxhoops]

​@markyg236 they're spamming the same comment ignore em

[@ronnievarnell6545]

@@markyg236 , Fever Bots and Spam. Satou ain't said no such nonsense. Geeze, some folks just love to post DS.

[@khalfanjunim]

Her in Dallas was so much fun. That 2023 team with Burton and Sims is a team I still go back and watch old games of. With that said, in terms of excitement, I can see her going to Chicago, especially if she's given point guard responsibilities. I might buy season tickets even though I live in Ohio.

[@gphillimo]

Satou has leverage though. She can basically pick where she wants to go. If she wants to be in Indiana or New York, that's where she will go and the Wings will have to accept whatever is the best offer they can get

[@Michael-of6zf]

If I Fever I am not giving up a first rd pick to a player that barely plays a full season. That 4th spot needs to go to a defense and rebounder, we do not need players that can score.

[@patricklarson7564]

This is the correct answer, I really hope the Fever FO does not bow to fan pressure and give up the farm for Satou..it is a 1 year rental more than likely, and also she has a very large history of being injured. Also Satou by herself is not going to address Indianas biggest issue which is defensive players

[@thegoat6325]

We don't want to go to the fever why don't y'all get this through y'all head I will remind y'all in every video if needed, we don't want y'all, not the other way around

[@Ryyian]

​@@thegoat6325who's we ❓who Dafuk is we ❓ sit your old behind down talking like you are satous manager or father 🤡

[@LK_408]

Natasha Howard makes the most sense to me at the Fever. No need to give anything up, former DPOY, and championship experience.

[@daedot8433]

Damn your Sky package looks really is really good.

[@victorakwaowo7998]

I would take that trade and not look back if I’m the Wings. Draft Paige at 1 & Kiki at 3 and start to really build around that young core.

[@yusaqhwiff2442]

@@victorakwaowo7998the problem is Satou has already been in a rebuilding team with a new coach.

[@futurehofer1564]

@@victorakwaowo7998 Kiki will probably be the second pick

[@markyg236]

@@futurehofer1564 Miles

[@victorakwaowo7998]

I highly doubt it, the Sparks already have Brink, Hembry & Rickea they clearly need a lead guard and Olivia Miles checks that box.

[@natureredux1957]

Literally the Worst thing NY should do is trade away their STAR Rookie. No way No How should they make that trade. It Would be the Worst Trade of the Century.

[@Ihate_bills]

Also, that rookie is close to the Sabally family lol they all played for the German national team. If Satou wants to come to NY, she wants Leo there

[@nono-mu9rw]

I'm pretty sure, that when you aquire a cored player from another team, they "lose" their core tag which would allow the Liberty/Fever to core Stewie/Kelsey and still trade for Satou

[@nono-mu9rw]

from cbs: "Speaking of trades, teams are allowed to trade for another team's core player even if they already have their own core player on the roster, though those situations arise rarely." I also think that Griner & SDS in 2020 were an example for this.

[@atrucken1]

Sabally to the Liberty would be like KD to golden state

[@terrancehall9762]

Sky would be crazy to do that. Honestly they should take Citron and keep it moving. Indiana is a solid offer but NY is better.

[@franzmovi]

It will be a blast. No doubt it is the main story line for the free agency. I don't see Indiana pulling the trigger (some say the trade would be NaLyssa, Berger and 2 picks, which sound so unbalanced). You have a point on Chicago; if Angel improves her fundamentals and Kamilla stays healthy, that would be a powerful front court.

[@LK_408]

Great video, all of your points for each team was very logical. I do think with a lot of players being cored and rookie contracts being so valuable, it may be hard for teams with cored players to get too much value back in a trade. It'll be interesting to see how Unrivaled plays a factor into this entire free agent season and the FAs having easy access to talk to other players about their experiences at their teams. With two Mercury players on the Phantom and all of the great amenities they have there who knows, maybe Satou will even end up there. But realistically, NY is her most likely landing spot.

[@CocheseSha]

The Sky would be fools to trade a pick for Satou. They need a point guard, not another forward. They might as well draft Kiki if they want another big 💯

[@amirmazza9064]

I’m confused on the core thing because I’ve seen a few reporters say having Stewie and Satou or KM and Satou is not a problem. IIRC, SDS was cored by Dallas in 2020 and got traded to Phoenix when Griner got cored as well. Since SDS wasn’t originally cored by Phoenix, they had both players with Griner as the cored player. Also, Jordin Canada wasn’t registered as a cored player in Atlanta’s books because she was originally cored by LA with a sign and trade.

[@tooreselasebikan4573]

Great vid as usual. I hope amber cox does not listen to fans and trade for her. You give up the farm and get someone who is injury prone and probably is not going to stay for more than one year. It doesn’t make sense and would be a mistake. Be patient and find someone in the draft for the 4 position that can defend and rebound. Fever is not yet good enough to win next year anyway so no need to hurry and make a bad decision.

[@Fitzcarlsson]

She has said she wants to win. I can’t see Chicago without a good point or Atlanta or Golden State. The Lynx are intriguing.

[@larrycarter1875]

I gotta be honest, I’d rather keep Fiebich. I think her upside is there and she has been generally healthy. The rookie scale is also very appealing. She was the biggest reason why the Libs had the Aces number this year and I’m an Aces fan. Libs should definitely keep her.

[@Hendrxxhoops]

Yea it would def be some dumb shi to give her up as an ny fan. I hailed as the only reason we won a chip but esp beat the aces since we no longer had a matchup problem with ur lineup

[@ronnievarnell6545]

Say it loud for the ones down front who SOS. I am not giving up LEO, period.

[@robmonroe9113]

Hunter, a great breakdown and analysis as usual! I don’t see the Libs trading any of their core 6. Would Dallas be interested in any of the players they hold rights to like Han Xu or Marine Johannes? Assuming both would be willing to come over in 2025.

[@natureredux1957]

The Sky already have a Horrible history of trading away their top picks. In fact, that's how they lost the draft rights to Leonie Fiebich, If the Sky GM is Smart, no WAY, No how he makes that trade either. This DRAFT is loaded and there is ZERO reason to trade away your future when the NEED is Guards. That being the Primary NEED for the SKY. They needs Good Guards, BAD.

[@rubiog8600]

There's no way Dallas turning Down That Chicago offer..

[@gman1474]

NY can package Betnijah Laney & a pick. Satou played w/Stewie & Meeseman overseas. She can play w/ Stewie & JJ

[@thegoat6325]

Yep

[@nr14989]

And thus, the Satou sweepstakes began

[@thegoat6325]

Fever or aces, Satou not playing for a young team like the dream or fever, inconsistent gms like Chicago or Phoenix, not happening, its new York or the aces watch and see

[@amyk6319]

I do not get this idea that teams are going to give up their 1st round picks for a 1 yr contract. That seems very short-sited. Even if you are not in the lottery, the next couple years drafts will be very good & decently deep. And a pretty big majority of the WNBA's current stars/top players are 30+. I think the young players in the next few drafts are going to be crucial for a teams continued success. The core designation for a player that wants to leave is just not going to get you very much this year because of the 1yr contracts/CBA re-negotiations. I have also heard others say the contracts allow the cored player to refuse any trade. So unless the Wings want to pull a Mystics/EDD, the trade will be decided by where Satou wants to go, not what teams can offer Dallas. I don't see NY wanting to get rid of Fiebich or Satou wanting to come off the bench. So I think most likely she will either choose to go to Vegas or Indiana.

[@rubiog8600]

Just Imagine if Chicago got Satou & Jewell Lloyd they would be a real problem in the Wnba 🔥 🔥...

[@ad7711x]

Satou would go to Vegas before any other team. She wants to win now. Playing on a team like Vegas would put her in that position. She's not young.

[@Ryyian]

With which money or which draft pick, Vegas doesn't have any of the 2

[@ronnievarnell6545]

Where is the trophy now?

[@MargueriteFahey]

I'm not a WNBA GM, but I just don't see how NY could squeeze Sabally in under the Salary Cap. They have $580K in cap space but need to sign a MINIMUM of five players with that money. One of those five is Stewie who has stated she wants to receive her final core and resign with NY ($250K Supermax contract). That would leave Satou with a max contract of $214K (or vice versa though I would think Stewie would insist on her "core ability" going away). That leaves $116 to sign THREE players (minimum rookie deal is $66K). Unless they cheat (cough, cough their WNBA title) they need to unload Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to make this deal work.

[@patricklarson7564]

They won’t re sign Vandersloot, who has a near max contract allocation

[@MargueriteFahey]

@@patricklarson7564 Sadly she's not one of the six under contract so she is moot to this discussion. They can't afford to resign her even at the veteran minimum ($78K).

[@patricklarson7564]

@@MargueriteFahey I've watched several videos about it, but I think you are correct in your assessment. If NY wants Satou that likely means either Laney-Hamilton or Fiebich(To Dallas) is going out.

[@terrancehall9762]

Liberty have 698, 293. They trade Marquesha(71, 753) plus 7th pick, 26 1st and 27 swap for Satou. Satou gets 215k Stewie signs for 215k Sign Sherrod for 70 k Sign Gardner for 80k Sign a backup c( my pick is Taiyanna Jackson for 70k) Can sign Han Xu for the 11th player And 12 is MJ in July when she heals from injury

[@ronnievarnell6545]

You must be an Aces fan (cough, cough) cause ya'll post the same DS. Stewie is not worrying about money and is not going sign a $250K supermax contract if this prevents her from getting a CHIP. Why can't fans understand that Stewie is about them CHIPS.

[@Clark-shoots-bricks]

Satou and A'ja Wilson on the same team is unfair

[@kylewarren8065]

Aja is great but a black hole… ball goes in but not out. Roster looks great with Satou but I think looks better than it would actually perform.

[@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h]

Never happen. They're already stacked.

[@thegoat6325]

Best option

[@yusaqhwiff2442]

Satou will be traded to Fever for the year then she will go to NYC for the longer contract. Chicago does not make sense because Dallas already has #1 pick. You also notice the saltiness from Lexie Hull and Caitlin Clark. It is really interesting with Satou

[@ShaolinPrince718]

being able to "Core/franchise tag" is absolutely terrible it hold you hostage.

[@eldowns379]

Satou you are a fever and Smith you are a wings 👏

[@KarmaIsaTSpodcast13]

👏

[@RizzMafia_]

You Clark stans want this so bad.

[@venusrose9890]

Why the fuck would Dallas make that trade? That's not enough.

[@sommer7123]

@@RizzMafia_ literally why would an indiana fan not want this outcome

[@georgia_amoorefan]

@@RizzMafia_praying that she doesn’t go to Indiana 💜🙏🏽

[@RonquixoteDIII]

Curt miller may have issues with LA but if they offered the second round pick for satou, I think it’s hard for him to say no to that.

[@HmmmAreYouSureAboutThat]

It would be hard for Curt to say no to a second round pick?

[@thegoat6325]

Second pick

[@HmmmAreYouSureAboutThat]

@@thegoat6325 oooohhh lol the second pick makes more sense in this discussion than second round pick. Satou isn’t worth the second pick for a 1 year rental on a rebuilding team.

[@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h]

The Fever has the biggest bag. They're not going to waste time unless Dallas wants Nalyssa (and who WOULDN'T want her!).

[@Iheartbaylor]

Anybody who's not a casual.😂

[@thegoat6325]

Pass

[@Mellowyellow3]

Indiana fever is not gonna give up Lexi Hall. She’s the only defense player that fever has and for cohesiveness of the team. She is important to not only CC but to the others. and I also think that. SATOU may not be what the fever is looking for they’re looking for long-term and she’s too injury prone for long-term, but they could sign just one year.

[@randymayo7463]

I see satou going to the aces

[@PhilTheBronxite]

I think Chicago and Indiana are gonna be the top two for Satou. I don’t think New York will be there considering the contract situation for Stewie, and the fact that Leo was so important to them in the finals.

[@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h]

She already said no to NY this time and she already said yes to the Fever during the season, plus the Fever have the biggest bag in the whole WNBA. They can either give Dallas Nalyssa who would do good there or a few benchers like Berger and Dantas.

[@usveteran9893]

However, this is a trade and she will not have much of a say.

[@tiffyco2378]

Stewie will likely take a smaller contract to sign a big FA. Her pick is Jewell but Sab wants Satou. Unrivaled will show NY who to make the trade of Fiebich for

[@NADRIPmusic]

@@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h Berger has 0 trade value. She will be cut after training camp so anyone can have her for free. But after she's cut, she'll sit a long time and only if someone has injury issues might they look at her. She might find a lifeline with an expansion team for a few seasons but if not for expansion she'd be out of the league;. Slow. Horrible defender. Unimpressive passer. Unimpressive scorer. Looks nice against lesser opposition like in Turkey but can't cut it at the WNBA level.

[@NADRIPmusic]

@@usveteran9893 I disagree. First, the relationship is good with Dallas and both sides want to maintain that. Second, if there's a destination that Satou is genuinely interested in then she's more likely to resign there after her 1-yr. deal and that would incentivize a team with a location she's interested in to offer a better package. Her agent and probably she herself will talk to any serious trade partners as part of the due diligence - teams trading for her will want to know how she feels about them. If I'm, say, the Sky and Satou tells me if I trade for her she'll almost certainly be gone after a year, then I'm pulling the #3 pick from my trade offer - I'm not going to pay that just for a season. If Satou tells me she could see herself playing the rest of her career in Chicago if the fit is good then maybe I throw in another 1st rounder. In any case, Satou will have tons of "say" in where she ends up.

[@kylewarren8065]

I can’t see Satou wanting to go to sky as it’s just not attractive as much as sky could use her. I understand liberty for Satou however, all stars have to take major minute cuts…. Do all want to do that including Satou? Stewie, JJ, Sab, BLH, Feibich, Burke, N. Sabally add Satou then still a bench with Johannas, Davis and sherrod. If there is a team TOO stacked this would be it so she’s gonna go there for the max and play 20 minutes? Fever makes the most sense but trade package I’d say it’s the weakest. So who knows. This core rule is a crappy rule.

[@thegoat6325]

Liberty or aces book it

[@usveteran9893]

I think that people are overrating Nalyssa Smith's value. I even think that the Sky would stay away from her as they already have enough drama players [Chennedy Carter and Angel Reese].

[@markyg236]

It's a system fit issue. Smith was a good player before last year, just not what a 4-out run and gun team needs. Big question is whether her off court crap with Carrington continues if none of her teammates are named Clark.

[@usveteran9893]

@@markyg236 Basically that's what I was referring to. Her off-court antics are not the best.

[@thegoat6325]

​@@markyg236she mid

[@markyg236]

@@usveteran9893 I agree with that, just DO think that Smith is better than she showed last year. New environment and a team that will let her play down low could do wonders, IF the Mustard doesn't get too spicy. Heck, if AT and DB want out of Conn. then she could go there and live in domestic bliss.

[@atrucken1]

Do you think the lynx should trade for her. As a fan, I wouldn't, cause I like the fire they have.

[@Kvylv-a3i]

Idk. Dallas isn't trying to win it all in 2025. So trading Satou for the 8th pick and Nalyssa isn't bad. I'd go as far to say Indiana gets the bad end because they get a max contact player for 1 year and they don't know if she can stay healthy and their defense isn't improving by much. Dallas gets the 8th pick and a solid player.

[@ronnievarnell6545]

Hunter, what if Satou says she wants to go to the Liberty. If I were Kolb I would offer 7th, Han, and Johannes. I think trading Leo defeats the purpose. I don't think New York is going to trade Leo. New York has Sabrina, Nyara, and Leo. I am not breaking up this trio. Didn't JJ state NY was a preferred team for her and the Sun didn't get much. If I am Chicago, I am not giving up that 3rd pick especially if the Sky is not a team she wants to go to. Dallas is in a pickle!!!!

[@901pics]

The Indiana trade is the only one that makes sence...Satou...is a serious risk...played 45% of her teams games. Teams should not waste draft capital for her...its a sucker trade.

[@terrancehall9762]

Liberty is the best one.

[@thegoat6325]

Facts ​@@terrancehall9762

[@terrancehall9762]

You can trade other team's core players. Rules allow it. Wings aren't getting Fiebich. They are getting Marquesha, 7, 26 1st and 27 flip No other team doing better

[@markyg236]

Please, please, please make this deal.

[@Todayiisssanewdayy]

You could. But no GM with common sense is giving up their best players for Satou.

[@terrancehall9762]

@@Todayiisssanewdayy Liberty aren't either

[@terrancehall9762]

@@markyg236 it might be even less

[@nr14989]

If i am Dallas, i would get Nalyssa and #8 pick 😇

[@KevinT93]

Indiana shouldn't do a trade for Satou imo. Not sure to play an entire season with her history with injuries... They should take Harrison from the Sky and Natasha from the Wings as free agents. And trade Nalyssa Smith with Wallace or Saxton for Sophie Cunningham, good defender and shooter from the bench.

[@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h]

I would LOVE Cloud on the Fever AND Izzy. But I think Satou is worth taking. I love Nalyssa too, but she'll never do well on the Fever as long as her girlfriend hates them. I want to see Nalyssa's career shine. She's one of the best out there, but we're not seeing it now. Katie Lou, Dantas...they could go. Saxton & Wallace proved to be two great bench players. What a disaster this year was for them as Christie Sides kept them benched and worked her starters too hard.

[@thegoat6325]

We good on Indiana

[@frederickrobinson9502]

Satou Sabally Height 6′ 4″, weight 183 lbs; Aliyah Boston is 6’5, weight 220; Janelle Salaün is 6'2" The aforementioned combination of players in the Fever’s front court is deadly! Who would you double team lol The offense/defense rebounds with a quick outlet pass to the splash sisters omg!!

[@thegoat6325]

Pass 😂

[@ricorogers9319]

Indiana only makes sense if KM walks

[@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h]

Nah, because if KM leaves, that's a PERFECT hole for Satou to fill and then she'd be Caitlin's muse and dime receiver.

[@ricorogers9319]

@@GreatlinClarkFan-c5h Read my comment again

[@thegoat6325]

Not happening

[@staceybryceadams9276]

She can help but she has same problem Joel Embiid has can’t stay healthy. It’s going to be in no order. NY Minnesota Las Vegas top 3 teams next season if they are healthy Fever maybe 4 or 5

[@haywardsingletary8857]

No way she is hurt like Embid!! 2024 time away was extended by the Olympics and wanting to play for Germany at max health.

[@thegoat6325]

Cap

[@tab529]

It is a waste of Assets for Fever to trade NSmith for Satou S and their No 1 Draft Pick if Satou is injury prone then only for a year Possibly Fever can pick other free agents available in the market for SF/ PF such as Howard and get No 8 pick Sonia Citron or young Asja Sivka from Slovenia

[@thegoat6325]

She not coming there no way nobody wants to

[@jinku77]

She is going to the Fever or Sky. Why? The Liberty won't give Fiebich, it would be dumb. Fiebich is in a rookie contract, is playing at almost all-star level, is young and is not injury proned like Satou. The other teams either dont have something that interest the Wing nor they are in need of a star forward. So Fever is in need of a Star or at least good level forward so they will give any asset for Satou (mostly picks which is something the Wings would value for their future) and the Sky has better assets and could use Satou as a small forward who can spread the floor.

[@thegoat6325]

Nope

[@MrDallasblk]

ATL➡️S. Sabally DAL➡️R. Howard

[@Todayiisssanewdayy]

Dream are not trading their franchise player for someone who isn’t better then her. You acting like Satou is A’ja or Stewie.

[@Bällīslïfê-t3x]

If I'm Dallas I would take Nalyssa. They just got a coach that takes pride in defense. It's not like shes had a good coach or anyone to develop her since she's been in the league and she's shown that she is capable she's just inconsistent. She wouldn't have been able to see the court under Kim if she couldn't play defense. Even without Kim she made the Big 12 all defensive team and was on the DPOTY watch list.

[@thegoat6325]

Horrible trade

[@Bällīslïfê-t3x]

@@thegoat6325 For Indiana.

[@WORKSbaby]

Nobody wants to play with Clark

[@JE-IC]

How do you know? What is your evidence?

[@thegoat6325]

Thank u

[@thegoat6325]

At ALL but KZbinrs 😂