In the ever-shifting WNBA coaching carousel, the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky just secured their head coaches, leaving the Washington Mystics twiddling their thumbs in the General Manager queue. And while Indiana and Chicago lock down their respective benches with seasoned leaders, the Mystics’ front office seems to be taking the “delayed gratification” approach — and boy, is it testing fans’ patience.
A Familiar Face in Indiana and Fresh Blood in Chicago
Indiana Fever fans will see a familiar face on the sidelines as Stephanie White, once their own head coach, returns to Indiana after a stint leading the Connecticut Sun. White’s got the Fever fever again, and this time, she’s hoping to spark a young, electrifying team that now includes college sensation Caitlin Clark. White’s familiarity with the Fever organization is expected to bring cohesion, and perhaps, a fast pass out of their seemingly eternal rebuilding phase. After all, when you’ve got a star like Clark, the least you can do is bring in a coach who knows the franchise DNA.
In the Windy City, the Chicago Sky have snagged Tyler Marsh, fresh off his assistant coaching duties with the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces. Chicago’s betting on Marsh’s championship experience to rally a team that features emerging star Angel Reese. For Marsh, this gig marks a big step forward as he gets to shape a young Sky team with plenty of potential and high aspirations for the coming seasons.
Washington Mystics: “What’s the Rush?”
Meanwhile, in Washington, Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger seems content with a waiting game to find his next GM. While other teams eagerly grab top-tier coaching talent, Winger’s got his eyes on “the long game” — or perhaps just a particularly protracted “Now Hiring” phase. With the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery looming large and Winger’s apparent faith in the Wizards’ slow-burn approach, he’s betting that the right GM will miraculously appear once the Mystics’ draft fate is sealed.
If the lottery gods are kind, the Mystics could land Paige Bueckers, the Connecticut Huskies point guard who is as close to a guaranteed franchise player as you can get. With Bueckers in the lineup, Washington would finally get the star power they’ve craved. But let’s be real — the odds aren’t exactly stacked in their favor, and their chances of getting the No. 1 pick are, well, less than thrilling. Should the Mystics miss out on Bueckers, the alternative “deconstruction” path could mean a multi-year rebuild, Wizards-style.
A Desirable Vacancy, If You Like High-Stakes Puzzles
For potential hires, the Mystics are a bit of a wild card. On one hand, Washington could be a plum assignment if Bueckers joins the roster. But on the other, taking on a low-probability team with a focus on “rebuild and deconstruct” might not be everyone’s dream job. It’s like choosing between a first-class ticket on a luxury flight or a middle seat on a questionable budget airline. Is Winger’s approach bold? Sure. Risky? Absolutely. But is it worth the wait? Only time will tell.
Closing Thoughts: High Risk, Potentially High Reward (Or Not)
With White and Marsh off the board, the Mystics’ patience-fueled search for a GM is in the hot seat. After all, if the right coach doesn’t materialize soon, they might find themselves playing catch-up in a WNBA world that’s moving forward while they linger in the past.