Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; France forward Gabby Williams (15) shoots against United States forward A’Ja Wilson (9) in the first half in the women’s gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. © James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Off of nearly forcing overtime in the gold medal game vs. the U.S. at the 2024 Paris Olympics, French star Gabby Williams shined on a global stage which has resulted in her name swirling in rumors about a potential return to the WNBA.
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Williams back in the W?
In her second Olympics, the Nevada native Williams represented her mother Thérèse’s home country of France, the host nation of the international event. Gabby averaged 15.5 points, 4.8 assists and 4.7 rebounds through six games en route to winning silver.
With a standout performance for the world to witness, there has been speculation as to whether she could opt to sign with a WNBA team or if she stays in Europe. Williams was originally selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky before being traded to the Sparks and flipped to the Seattle Storm in 2022.
Aug 5, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) dribbles against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
After two seasons (2022-23) with the Storm, the UConn product left in 2023 to go overseas to play in France for ASVEL. As recently as last month, she just recently signed with the Turkish team Fenerbahçe.
Despite all of this, Winsidr analyst Rachel Galligan reported that there is a legitimate chance she could end up back in the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury is one of the teams to watch.
“Gabby Williams is weighing her WNBA options but is also considering remaining in France for the rest of the summer to rest and capitalize around her momentum, sources tell Winsidr,” Galligan said on X/Twitter. “Her decision will likely come down to whether she will be cored or not. A central issue will be the team’s commitment to NOT core her. Teams in play are the Seattle Storm, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury.”
Sources tell @Winsidr that her decision will likely come down to whether she will be cored or not. A central issue will be the team’s commitment to NOT core her. Current teams in play are SEA, NY, PHX.
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) August 13, 2024
Galligan went on to add that if Williams remained in France for the rest of the 2024 season, she would become an unrestricted free agent.
Is the Mercury an option?
Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; France forward Gabby Williams (15) passes against United States power forward Breanna Stewart (10) in the second half in the women’s gold medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Looking back in the past at what she did in the WNBA, there are reasons why signing Williams would make sense for a team like the Mercury who is trying to add more talent before the playoffs.
A potential contract for her would be prorated due to the regular season being more than halfway over. She is fresh off of winning the EuroCup with ASVEL, an in-season tournament against the best teams in Europe. When she was in the WNBA, Williams averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 135 games (80 starts).
In the Olympic final, Williams scored 19 points, shooting 40% from the field and 50% from three. Even though they fell short and her buzzer-beating shot only counted for two points instead of a three, she was named the Best Defensive Player of the Olympics.
Time will tell when she will make a decision and where she will go. Williams did tell WNBA outlet The Next in July 2023 that she earns more money overseas than in the WNBA and is willing to play there instead.
“I would love to be in the WNBA because it’s the best league in the world for women’s basketball, the most competitive, the highest skill level, and it’s not even close,” Williams said. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t pay the most. So I am happy to have other options to provide for me and my family.”
As things stand, the Mercury has $23,877 left in cap space and could maneuver a trade to make her salary work. If the league were to allow Phoenix to sign Williams to a hardship deal, however, they could go over the salary cap due to an injury exception.
Right before the Olympics began, forward Rebecca Allen suffered a high-grade hamstring injury during an exhibition game for Australia which ruled her out for the tournament.
Phoenix would need two players out with injuries for the exception to be considered, with the indication that they are both season-ending.
With all of the implications in mind, it is possible that the Mercury could make something work, though there are many challenges if they want to go through that process and there is still a real possibility she will remain in Europe.
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