Lynx agree to max deals with Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, bring back Natasha Howard
The Lynx retained a couple big pieces of their current core Sunday, agreeing to two year, reportedly max deals with guard Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, as two of the team’s bigger “splashes” thus far this offseason. Minnesota will also welcome back a familiar face, as the team inked a two-year deal with Natasha Howard worth a reported $1. 4 million.
The 6-foot-3, 34-year-old forward is a two-time all-star who played for Minnesota in 2016 and 2017, winning a title in her final season with the Lynx. But her career took off when she departed for Seattle. Howard was the league’s Most Improved Player in 2018 and a first-team All-WNBA player in 2019.
Howard averaged 11. 4 points per game last summer for Indiana. “We are happy to be bringing Tasha home to the Minnesota Lynx,” Lynx coach and basketball boss Cheryl Reeve said in a release.
“She has earned some impressive accolades since her time with the Lynx, and we look forward to adding her versatile offensive skillset and defensive proficiency to our team. ” She’ll be tasked with helping replace Alanna Smith, who agreed to a deal with Dallas over the weekend. Minnesota’s roster had to be reconstructed with the free agency departures of Smith and Natisha Hiedeman, who agreed to a deal with Seattle.
Bridget Carleton was Portland’s top selection in the expansion draft. But Minnesota has managed to keep a chunk of its core together. Minnesota extended a core offer to superstar Napheesa Collier last week, granting the franchise exclusive negotiating rights with its best player.