Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike Signs Storm Contract After Skylar Diggins-Smith Deal

On Monday, the Seattle Storm revealed that they have signed Nneka Ogwumike, the 2016 WNBA MVP.

“Nneka is one of the most impactful players in the history of our league, not only her achievements on the court but also as an agent of positive change across the WNBA,” said Talisa Rhea, the league’s general manager. “I know Seattle and our community share our enthusiasm that Nneka is coming to the Storm.”

After acquiring six-time All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith, this is Seattle’s second significant offseason addition.

When Seattle went through a rebuilding process last time, the team took a moderate stance.

Becoming the winners of the WNBA draft lottery in consecutive seasons made it possible for the Storm to add Jewell Loyd and then Breanna Stewart. The largest outside acquisition between Stewart’s 2016 arrival and their 2018 victory was a sign-and-trade for Minnesota Lynx reserve player Natasha Howard.

The front office is behaving far more assertively this time.

As was to be expected, Seattle finished 2023 with the second-worst record in the WNBA (10-29), having lost Breanna Stewart to the New York Liberty and experienced players Sue Bird and Briann January to retirement. Two of the best free agents available are now being added by the team.

Ogwumike is a guy the Storm will be obtaining who was a top scorer and rebounder in the previous campaign. She averaged 8.8 rebounds and 19.1 points on 51.2 percent shooting.

The 33-year-old gives Ezi Magbegor a superb offensive complement. In 2023, the Storm center was named an All-Star for the first time and was selected for the All-Defensive team twice in a row. Ogwumike’s presence allows Magbegor to stay at the five while providing Seattle with a lot more offensive punch from the power forward position.

It’s also obvious that Ogwumike thinks she has a lot left in her. She had the option to join with the Liberty, but according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, “she decided on the Storm because they presented her with a clear role and an opportunity to contend for a title.”

If Ogwumike was willing to shoulder less of a workload at this point in her career, as Candace Parker was when she joined with the Las Vegas Aces last summer, New York would have been a far better fit. Rather, she is positioned to be Seattle’s second or third scoring option.