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The Minnesota Lynx made a splash today as they have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with Seattle. The Lynx have sent free agent Natasha Howard to the Storm, while receiving Seattle’s 2018 2nd round draft pick and the rights to swap 1st round draft picks in 2019.
“We appreciate Natasha’s valuable contributions to our team over the last two seasons and wish her well in her new journey with the Seattle Storm,” said Lynx Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve.
In her two years with Minnesota, Howard averaged 5.5 points (on 53.5% shooting) and 3.0 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game.
The Lynx weren’t done establishing its roster as Cecilia Zandalasini was re-signed while Lynetta Kizer and Endy Miyem signed with Minnesota as free agents.
Zandalasini signed with Minnesota on Aug. 28 last season as a free agent. While playing abroad for Famila Schio, she is averaging 9.5 points and 3.0 assists per game for the Italian league. In 11 EuroLeague games, Zandalasini is averaging 10.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Reeve stated the following on the three signings today:
“We appreciated Cecilia joining us late in the season last year. She is coming off an exciting 2017 that included the Italian National Team narrowly missing qualification for the 2018 World Cup. Her performance at EuroBasket 2017 was described as the ‘greatest FIBA EuroBasket Women debut of all time’. We look forward to having Cecilia for a full WNBA season and are excited about her future as a Minnesota Lynx.”
“I’d like to welcome both Lynetta and Endy to the Minnesota Lynx organization. Both Lynetta and Endy are skilled front court players with successful basketball resumes who will provide quality depth behind Rebekkah and Sylvia.”
Last season Kizer played for Connecticut where she averaged 6.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Prior to playing for the Sun, she also spent time in Indiana as well as, Phoenix.
Miyem is an Olympian from France, who is currently also playing for Famila Schio. She has been averaging 10.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, while in EuroLeague play averaging 9.2 points per game and 3.0 rebounds per game.