With the release of NBA 2K23 around the corner, Brian and I had a discussion centered around a hypothetical game mode where WNBA players could play on NBA teams. With that in mind, in addition to the WNBA playoffs proceeding as we speak, we decided to list current players from each WNBA team that would fit on their NBA city affiliate (we had to use prior city affiliations for a couple of the WNBA teams). If you would like to see us do a list for each NBA team, regardless of affiliation, let us know in the comments below.

Atlanta Hawks: Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream)

We are starting with the first overall pick of the 2022 WNBA Draft, who recently broke the rookie record for the most 3-point field goals scored in a season with 77. Pairing her in a backcourt with point guard Trae Young has the potential to scorch teams faster than Georgia’s heat itself, as it would ease the offensive burden that they both carried this past season and open up the floor for her to score. This season, Howard averaged 16.2 points per game (PPG) on 36/34/79 shooting splits. With easier looks being generated by Young, Howard’s shooting numbers would likely increase, leading to a bump in PPG.

Howard has shown the ability to defend guards and wings at a high level, as she averaged 1.6 steals per game (SPG) and 0.8 blocks per game (BPG). With the addition of guard Dejounte Murray, she won’t be tasked with guarding the opposing team’s primary perimeter option on a nightly basis. The Hawks were tied with the Rockets at 20th this past season in Defended 3PT FGM (opponents averaged 12.8 contested three point field goals made), so adding one of the best players in the WNBA at closing out would be in line with their offseason goal of improving their perimeter defense.

Chicago Bulls: Azurá Stevens (Chicago Sky)

Other Players Considered: Candace Parker, Chicago Sky; Kahleah Copper, Chicago Sky

While we would’ve loved to put Parker on the list, Stevens gets the nod here. With the Bulls, Stevens would serve as a stretch 4 who can also protect the rim. This season, she shot 36% from 3-point range on 3.3 attempts per game, and she averaged 1.1 BPG. This will add to a team that shot the least amount of threes per game last year (28.8), helping to create driving lanes for DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

Although the Bulls began the season as one of the most frenetic teams in the league on the defensive end, one of their weaknesses was not having a deterrent in the paint. Stevens’ defensive presence assisted the Chicago Sky in allowing the lowest field goal percentage (FG%) in the restricted area (58.6%) last season while facing the most attempts per game (25.9).

Dallas Mavericks: Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings)

Other Player Considered: Allisha Gray, Dallas Wings

The two time All-Star and two time All-WNBA player gets the nod here. For Dallas, Ogunbowale would be a spark plug for a team who produced a 112.8 team offensive rating (15th-best in the NBA) and a bench who averaged 32.5 bench points per game (seventh-worst in the NBA). This season, Ogunbowale averaged 19.7 PPG (tied for third-best in the WNBA) on 40/35/80 shooting splits. While she struggles defensively at times, the Mavericks have the personnel to cover her, as they produced the sixth-best team defensive rating (109.4) in the NBA.

Ogunbowale would also allow All-NBA guard Luka Dončić to play off the ball more. Last season, Dončić was second in the league for usage percentage among qualified players. With a lower usage rate, Dončić could rest at times on offense (similar to James Harden with Chris Paul in Houston), allowing Dončić to be fresher later in the season for a deeper playoff run.

Indiana Pacers: NaLyssa Smith (Indiana Fever)

Other Player Considered: Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

Fresh off her rookie season and 22nd birthday, Smith is heading over to the Indiana Pacers. Ending the year ranked fifth in offensive rebounds (ORB) per game (2.2), Smith will bring that same intensity on the boards to a team that is going to need as many possessions as it can get to develop their young talent. This is a seamless fit to a Pacers team that was also fifth in ORB per game in the 2021-22 season.

From a defensive perspective, Smith’s ability to rebound would help bolster a roster that finished 26th in defensive rebounds per game (32.6). This season, Smith corralled 183 total defensive rebounds, which was 10 rebounds shy of forwards Dearica Hamby and Jessica Shepard (they tied for ninth-best in the WNBA with 193). Smith’s defensive rebounding and ability to handle the basketball would also give Indiana more transition opportunities. Smith’s Fever finished second in the WNBA in pace (80.2), while the Pacers finished with the 17th-best pace in the NBA (98.0). With more transition opportunities, the Pacers would also have a chance to improve their scoring output, as they finished 14th in team PPG (111.5).

Los Angeles Lakers: Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks)

With this selection, the Lakers would bring their total number of former number one overall picks back up to three after releasing Dwight Howard this offseason (LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Ogwumike). Ogwumike would be a defensive specialist for a team that was 21st in defensive rating (112.8). This season, she finished with 1.7 SPG (tied for second-best in the WNBA). While she can produce offensively (she averaged 18.1 PPG this season), we felt that Ogwumike would likely be relegated to a perimeter role due to her height, which would limit her opportunity to score in the paint. However, as a person who has shot 37% from 3-point range over the past two seasons, Ogwumike would still have opportunities to score in LA.

The Lakers allowed the second-most Opponent Fast Break Points (OPP PTS FB) in 2021-22, which tied with the Philadelphia 76ers. Ogwumike’s ability to guard in transition, spurred by her active hands in passing lanes, would stop a lot of the leakage that Los Angeles faced in their high-paced offense (100.5, seventh-best in the NBA). Hopefully, with a renewed sense of defensive identity, the “Purple and Gold” could reclaim some of that magic that resulted in them winning the 2020 NBA championship with Ogwumike on the team.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Aerial Powers (Minnesota Lynx)

Other Player Considered: Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx

The losses of guard Patrick Beverley and power forward Jarred Vanderbilt make defense a key consideration for Minnesota. The seventh-worst team in PPG allowed (113.3) would get a boost defensively from adding Powers to incumbent wings Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards. This season, Powers averaged 1.2 SPG. Her ability to defend on the perimeter would ease the responsibility of protecting the paint for big men Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.

Additionally, the Lynx guard managed to power through and close games for her club, as she led the team in both Plus/Minus (+5.0) and PPG (3.8) in clutch situations that resulted in wins. With this, she would bring a sense of composure to a young Timberwolves team that made a ton of questionable decisions down the line in their playoff series last season versus the Memphis Grizzlies.

New York Knicks: Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)

Other Player Considered: Betnijah Laney, New York Liberty

Steve Francis. Stephon Marbury. Chauncey Billups. Derrick Rose. Kemba Walker. The New York Knicks have routinely been known as “The Place Where Point Guards’ Careers Go To Die.” It is our belief that Sabrina would be the one to bring this carousel to an end if paired with Jalen Brunson in the backcourt. 

This season, Ionescu averaged 17.4 PPG (eighth-best in the WNBA) and 6.3 assists per game (third-best in the WNBA). Her playmaking ability would help New York improve their ball movement, as the Knicks finished dead last in team assists per game (APG) with 21.9. Meanwhile, the Liberty finished fifth in the WNBA with 20.7 APG. With better passing as a team, the Knicks would be able to get better looks and more efficient shots. With better shots, New York would have a good chance of improving both its PPG and team offensive rating numbers. Last season, the Knicks averaged 106.5 PPG (fifth-worst in the NBA) and had an offensive rating of 110.4 (22nd-best in the NBA). She could also help the Knicks’ transition offense with her skills as an outlet passer, given that they finished 29th in the NBA in pace (95.9).

Ionescu closed the 2022 season by tying Candace Parker’s career triple-double record in only her third year in the WNBA. Her ability to utilize her length and knife through the lane to grab boards comes as no surprise to anyone. A team like the Knicks would appreciate her attacking the defensive boards (6.1 per game), as they were tied for first in preventing opponent’s offensive rebounds this past season. As the inspiration behind this article, Sabrina would bring excitement back to The Garden with her electrifying playing style and gaudy performances.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm)

Other Player Considered: Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm

While the Storm are technically not city affiliates of the Thunder, we paired them with Oklahoma City because the Thunder were once the Seattle SuperSonics.

It is not a secret what type of players Thunder General Manager Sam Presti is prioritizing in his rebuild after drafting Aleksej Pokusevski and Chet Holmgren and aiming for Victor Wembanyama in the 2023 NBA draft. Breanna Stewart fits that same “thinly-framed big with exceptional guard skills” makeup that permeates the Thunder franchise, starting with Kevin Durant. Similar to the aforementioned player, Stewart led the WNBA in scoring this year with 21.8 PPG and put up a line of 21 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals in Game 2 to help Seattle eliminate the Washington Mystics from the playoffs.

The 2022 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) candidate can also help Oklahoma City defensively. Her seven-foot, one-inch (7’1”) wingspan allows her to cover ground, be disruptive in the passing lanes, and blend right in with a unit that already has at least five players with a seven-foot wingspan. This season, she averaged 1.6 SPG (tied for third-best in the WNBA) and was a huge part of the Storm finishing the season as third in defensive rating (97.4). Hopefully, her IQ and veteran presence would aid this young squad in realizing their defensive potential.

Although they would not win a lot of games next season due to their arduous rebuild, this would arguably be our most intriguing pairing.

Orlando Magic: DeWanna Bonner (Connecticut Sun)

Other Players Considered: Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun; Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

Unlike the previous section, we had to go back to Connecticut’s history to pair them with an NBA team. Before they arrived in Connecticut, the Sun were previously the Orlando Miracle. As a result, we decided to pair them with the Magic.

Rather than the dominating presence of Jonquel Jones, we are selecting the savvy, perimeter-oriented DeWanna Bonner to play with the Magic. While Orlando currently has a logjam in the frontcourt and a shaky backcourt without a true pecking order, Bonner has had experience maneuvering through a similar situation this season with Jones and Alyssa Thomas, and she still proved to be effective. Bonner averaged 13.5 PPG on 44/33/83 shooting splits and launched 4.2 three-point attempts a game, matching Candace Parker’s output for three-point attempts.

On the defensive end, Bonner would help a team that finished 20th in PPG allowed (112.2) and 17th in team defensive rating (112.5). As one of the key players that helped the Sun finish second in PPG allowed (77.8) and team defensive rating (96.3), Bonner averaged 1.2 SPG. Between Bonner, Issac, and centers Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter Jr., the Magic would have a nice defensive core as they continue their rebuild.

Phoenix Suns: Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury)

Other Player Considered: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury

We were initially hesitant to select Brittney Griner for this slot given the serious nature of her current detainment in Russia. However, we also would not want to miss the opportunity to discuss everything that she has brought to the WNBA on and off the court. We do hope that she will be brought back home from Russia safely and as quickly as possible.

In Griner, the Suns would add another two-way player to their team. In 2021, Griner averaged 20.5 PPG (second-best in the WNBA), 9.5 RPG (sixth-best in the WNBA), and 1.9 BPG (best in the WNBA). Griner’s ability to protect the paint would help a Suns team that finished 22nd in BPG (4.4) and allowed the most field goals made within 5-9 feet. In addition, with the Suns losing JaVale McGee in free agency this offseason, Griner’s arrival would allow Phoenix to withstand that loss. They could choose to start her alongside Ayton or help improve their bench that tied for 11th in the playoffs in BPG (1.0).

It was only a few years ago when Griner had stated that she could beat DeMarcus Cousins in a one-on-one matchup, which is directly in line with the heart of this article. Griner would bring another confident, leading voice to a Suns unit that is reeling from a playoff loss after having a 2-0 series lead and a drama-packed offseason dealing with Ayton’s contract and potentially trading its core pieces to acquire Kevin Durant. 

San Antonio Spurs: Chelsea Gray (Las Vegas Aces)

Other Players Considered: Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces; A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Like the Orlando/Connecticut section, we had to use Las Vegas’ history to determine the pair. While we believe there will eventually be an NBA team in Las Vegas, we wanted to use actual teams for this article. Before the Aces moved to Vegas, they were previously the San Antonio Stars (after being the San Antonio Silver Stars). As a result, we paired them with the Spurs.

While we acknowledged the great seasons that Wilson and Plum have had so far, we gave the nod to Gray due to the roster turnover the Spurs have had. Between the trade deadline and this offseason, the Spurs traded guards Dejounte Murray and Derrick White, and waived point guard Tomáš Satoranský. As a result, the need for a point guard is paramount in San Antonio. Gray has the potential of being a great fit since she handled the rock for a dominating Aces team that ranked first in pace (80.6) this season while the Spurs themselves finished fifth in pace (100.0).

With Gray, the Spurs would also have a point guard who would help their young players get settled in offensive sets and produce good shots for them. This season, Gray averaged 6.1 APG (fourth-best in the WNBA). With better looks, the Spurs would have the opportunity to improve on their team offensive rating of 112.4 (18th-best in the NBA) and maintain/improve their APG rate of 27.9 (second-best in the NBA). On the defensive side, Gray would serve as a leader for a team that finished tied for 16th in team defensive rating (111.7) and 23rd in PPG allowed (113.0). This season, Gray averaged 1.6 SPG (third-best in the WNBA).

Washington Wizards: Natasha Cloud (Washington Mystics)

Other Player Considered: Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics

For the first time in a decade, the Washington Wizards have not had a great point guard setting the table for the team. Bradley Beal has done an excellent job in the interim being both the best scorer and distributor, but we are sending in Natasha Cloud—who led the WNBA in APG (7.0) this season—from 15 minutes down the road to rectify this situation.

After attending the University of Maryland and spending the last seven years playing for the Mystics, Cloud has entrenched herself into the Washington, D.C. community and is a guard that the fans can get behind 100%. Cloud’s defensive acumen should translate over to the Wizards as she anchored a defense that finished first in PPG allowed (75.9) and team defensive rating (96.0). Despite her relative size, she would prove to be beneficial to a team that contrarily finished 16th in PPG allowed (112.0) and 25th in team defensive rating (114.5).

After working out with LeBron James before Game 2 of the Mystics vs. Storm series, Natasha put up a line of 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists and hit five 3-point shots. With her experience of picking her spots while playing next to a consistent, high-level scorer in Ariel Atkins, her transition to playing well with Bradley Beal should be a smooth one. Between her leadership, defensive tenacity, and ability to complement a scoring guard, Cloud would be a great addition to Washington, as they look to compete for a playoff spot next season.

Which WNBA player would you add to each NBA city affiliate? Share your thoughts in the comments below!