2019 WNBA mock draft: Sabrina Ionescu’s decision will change everything

The 2019 WNBA Draft is headlined by a dozen or more game-ready stars who’ve perched their names in college basketball lore. California’s Kristine Anigwe’s notched a 30-point, 30-rebound game. Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu, should she declare, is the NCAA’s all-time leader in career triple-doubles for both men and women. This is a deep class.

All eyes are on Ionescu, a 22-year-old junior who is draft-eligible by age only. The point guard is the expected top pick in the draft, with elite offensive skills and court vision. If she stays in school though, chaos could unfold. Without a clear second-best option, April 10 could be a big night for trades as each franchise prioritizes someone different.

Aside from point guards, the other positions run deep. Baylor’s Kalani Brown and Mississippi State’s Teaira McCowan project to be starter-quality centers. Stanford’s Alanna Smith and UConn’s Napheesa Collier and Katie Lou Samuelson are rotation-ready forwards. And Arike Ogwunbowale is one of the league’s most prolific scorers, and possibly the most clutch shot-maker in college history.

There’s a lot of talent to be had, and a lot of teams willing to move pieces. With Wings star Liz Cambage requesting a trade, other teams will look to stockpile assets to try and land her, too.

With a wide-open playing field, teams that fell just short in 2018 — like the Mystics, Dream, and Mercury — have to feel they’re one move away from a title. Everyone should be active on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

This should be fun.

Ionescu is the best offensive talent in the draft, and should she decide to forego her final year of eligibility, she’s expected to be the top pick. Ionescu is an excellent playmaker, shooter, and rebounder. She averaged 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists with the Ducks. She could be a superstar.

Look for there to be plenty of trade offers for this top pick, though. It’s unclear how Ionescu and 2017 No. 1 pick, guard Kelsey Plum, would fit together in Vegas.

The Liberty need help everywhere after flopping in the 2018 season and missing the playoffs. Tina Charles is still a star, and 2018 first-round pick Kia Nurse can space the floor, but New York needs another featured scorer who can handle the ball. That’s Durr, who averaged 21 points, four assists, and three rebounds this year.

The 6’7 shot-blocking center from Mississippi State makes perfect sense for an Indiana team in the thick of a rebuild. The Fever were the W’s worst team last season, but have a solid future with guard Kelsey Mitchell. Drafting McCowan, a defensive stalwart who averaged two blocks per game, is a good addition. She has a ways to go on offense developing post moves, but is worth the investment.

The Sky took an uber-athletic forward in Gabby Williams and scoring guard Diamond DeShields in last year’s draft with mixed results. Chicago still hasn’t recovered from losing Elena Delle Donne by way of trade in 2017, and needs to re-establish itself down low. Enter Anigwe, the nation’s best rebounder to supplement the sophomores and stars Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley.

A physical, scoring guard, Jackie Young could be essential in Dallas’ inevitable rebuild if she decides to leave school a year early. With Cambage all but gone, Dallas has to look towards the future with Azura Stevens, Allisha Gray, and Kaela Davis. With Skylar Diggins-Smith likely to miss the entire season, Young would get plenty of minutes.

With Maya Moore sitting the entire season, someone needs to take the scoring load over, and Ogunbowale fits the bill perfectly. At 21 points per game, Ogunbowale can take control at any moment, and though she’s not the most efficient shooter, head coach Cheryl Reeve would be sure to get the most from her.

UConn’s top scorer, longest wingspan and defensive stopper would fit the perfect role behind Candace Parker in LA. The Sparks need to add as much depth as they can to make a serious run and recover from last year’s disappointment, and Collier would be key on the interior.

A quick, tall three-point shooter who can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions is the dream fit next to Diana Taurasi. That’s who Smith can be, as shown by her 40 percent shooting from range on nearly six attempts per game. Smith has been coached at Team Australia by Mercury coach Sandy Brondello already, too. She’s the perfect fit.

Brown slipping this low shows how deep this draft is. The 6’7 big is a polished inside scorer who’s bolstered the No. 1 college team in the country all season long. Brown is a luxury this late in the draft.

The Mystics are deep, and don’t really need anyone aside from a healthy Delle Donne. With Emma Meesseman returning down low, Washington has a three-headed beast in the paint with LaToya Sanders. But any team could use shooting, and that’s what Samuelson does.

A 19-year-old 6’4 big from Australia, Magbegor is a project who could pay off big time. Magbegor backed up Cambage for Team Australia, and has been playing professional basketball for the Melbourne Boomers. For now, she’s quick and can finish around the hoop. In the future, she could be so much more.

Gustafson, at 6’3, led the country in points per game at 28, and field goal percentage at 70 percent. She might not be the most creative finisher, but Gustafson gets the job done and could be an excellent backup in Seattle.