The Seattle Storm may have just found the solution to one of their biggest challenges—and surprisingly, it’s not Olivia Miles.
Once again, the Storm are poised to benefit from the Los Angeles Sparks’ misfortunes. For the second straight year, Seattle’s savvy trades are paying off in major ways. Back in 2025, the Storm landed the Sparks’ No. 2 pick through the blockbuster deal that sent Jewell Loyd to Las Vegas and brought Kelsey Plum to LA. Now, thanks to another calculated move made in 2024—when Seattle traded Kia Nurse and the pick that became Rickea Jackson to the Sparks—the Storm once again control LA’s lottery pick. The result? They’ll select third overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft, right after the Dallas Wings and the Minnesota Lynx.
But here’s where it gets tricky: the draft board remains wide open. Both Dallas and Minnesota could easily alter the course of the draft with just one unexpected choice. For Seattle, the dream scenario is snagging Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles. Her blend of playmaking, vision, and leadership could give the Storm a classic floor general to develop beside Dominique Malonga. She’d also provide much-needed playmaking depth next to Skylar Diggins—assuming Diggins returns in free agency.
Still, Miles isn’t the only name that could immediately elevate this roster. Azzi Fudd, one of the most gifted shooters in college basketball, might fill an equally pressing need: long-range shooting.
Seattle’s three-point problem
The Storm’s lack of reliable perimeter shooting was a glaring issue last season. Only two players shot around 40% from three—Tiffany Mitchell (41.2% on less than one attempt per game) and Zia Cooke (39.5% on limited volume). Neither player ranked among the top seven in playoff minutes. That’s a red flag for a team trying to make a deep postseason run.
The primary volume shooters—Erica Wheeler, Nneka Ogwumike, and Skylar Diggins—hovered between 36.5% and 37.3% from beyond the arc, each taking at least four attempts per game. Beyond them, the drop-off was steep: Gaby Williams hit just 30.5% on nearly four attempts, while everyone else shot under 30%.
So even if Seattle’s front office successfully re-signs its star core, the team still lacks a reliable, high-volume shooter. That’s where Fudd comes in. Known for her smooth mechanics and unshakable confidence, Azzi Fudd boasts an impressive 41.9% career three-point percentage on nearly six attempts per game at the collegiate level. Through the first six games of the 2025–26 season, she’s dipped below 42% only once—a consistency few can match.
Olivia Miles, on the other hand, made big strides as a shooter last season but has cooled off in her recent stretch. Even if she regains her rhythm, she simply doesn’t offer the same elite shooting upside that Fudd brings.
Here’s where fans may disagree: should the Storm prioritize a playmaking maestro like Miles or bet on Fudd’s elite shooting to fix their offensive spacing issues? Either choice could redefine Seattle’s style for years, but the risk is real—both players might be gone before the Storm’s third pick. The Wings could lock in on Fudd as their top choice, while the Lynx might seize Miles to groom their next franchise point guard.
So, the question looms: if both are off the board, who should Seattle target next? Should they double down on shooting, pursue a defensive specialist, or look for the best available talent? What do you think—should the Storm chase Miles’ vision or Fudd’s firepower?
