It’s the part of the WNBA preseason that elicits groans and fervent debate from its passionate fanbase: cutdown week. With preseason games now in full swing, the harsh reality of roster limits begins to take hold. Teams, initially boasting 17-20 hopefuls, must whittle their squads down to a lean 12-player regular season roster.

For WNBA aficionados, many of whom follow college hoops with equal fervor, these cuts can be particularly agonizing. The dismissal of a beloved college standout often sparks immediate frustration. Questions of roster depth and the need for league expansion – especially with the excitement surrounding newcomers like the Bay Area’s Valkyrie and the upcoming Toronto franchise – inevitably resurface with each tough decision.

This week, the Minnesota Lynx have begun the process of finalizing their roster, announcing the release of four players: second-round pick Dalayah Daniels (University of Washington), along with Ajae Petty, Diamond Johnson, and Camryn Taylor. Notably, all four players did not see any court time in the Lynx’s recent preseason matchup against the Chicago Sky, perhaps foreshadowing this week’s news.

Head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve has previously stated that she considers seven roster spots to be locked in, leaving the remaining 4-5 positions fiercely contested amongst the remaining players. With the Lynx now down to 14, two more players will face the difficult news of being waived before the regular season tips off. These next cuts will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized by Lynx fans eager to see who will make the final cut and represent the team as they embark on their upcoming campaign. 

The preseason drama continues to unfold in Minnesota, a familiar story of tough choices echoing across the WNBA landscape.