National Analyst Advocates Caitlin Clark’s Successor as Doubts Swirl Around Mystics Star’s Rookie Season Amid Latest Move

The WNBA draft was supposed to be a dream, but for many, it’s become a game of musical chairs with no chairs left. Of the 38 players drafted in April 2025, eight have already been waived. Roster space is tight, and every possession—on and off the court—counts. That’s why the WNBA world is watching one storyline a little closer: Caitlin Clark’s successor, from Iowa, might already be on the chopping block. And that’s when a certain national analyst grabbed the mic and made her case.

“The Mystics have signed Guard, Lauren Jensen. Lauren, welcome to D.C.!” the team posted on X. With the final roster deadline looming on May 13, this May 10 signing puzzled fans. Jensen is undrafted, has no preseason minutes, and must now outplay a month-long camp participant in five days.

The name at risk? Lucy Olsen—the same Iowa star who followed Clark’s path and brought the Hawkeyes to the Round of 32.

DeMita, on her Courtside Club podcast, didn’t hesitate to back her: “I’m going to advocate for her because I was so impressed. Like you guys know, I was in person for the game with the Indiana Fever against the Washington Mystics. Lucy Olsen went in as early as the first quarter, and she played pretty much the entire game. She played so well. She held her own out there. She looks WNBA ready.”

But on paper? Not quite. In their first preseason game vs the Fever, Olsen played 15 minutes, went 1-for-6 from the field, 0-for-2 from three, scored 2 points, and posted a -18 plus/minus. In the next game vs the Dream she shot 1-for-8 in 22 minutes, scoring 2 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

Sometimes, the box score doesn’t tell the whole story. But in a league with no patience, it just might decide it.

WNBA Rookie Contracts at Risk as 8 Players Get Waived

And well, it’s already been decided for a few…

As of May 10, 2025, eight players from the 2025 WNBA Draft class have already been waived, reflecting the brutal reality of roster cuts in the league. The competitive nature of WNBA team selections shows no mercy, with spots vanishing faster than expected. While no first-round picks found themselves on the waiver wire, the second and third-round players weren’t as lucky.

Shyanne Sellers, the 5th pick by the Golden State Valkyries, was waived but later claimed by the Atlanta Dream, despite not even getting a chance to play [Yahoo Sports]. Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever had to part ways with their second-round selections, Bree Hall and Yvonne Ejim [CBSSports], both of whom struggled to make their mark in a squad already packed with talent.

Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Iowa guard Lucy Olsen
takes a question at the podium during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Melissa Tamez-Imagn Images

Hall, in particular, found herself competing for minutes against rookie Makyla Timpson, who had made quite the impression, leaving little room for Hall to shine. Even with a recommendation from Dawn Staley, Hall couldn’t crack the crowded Fever roster.

Dalayah Daniels, selected by the Minnesota Lynx, also got the axe [CBSSports]. In the third round, Aaronette Vonleh (Dallas Wings), Madison Conner and Jordan Hobbs (Seattle Storm), and Harmoni Turner (Las Vegas Aces) all faced the harsh reality of roster cuts without seeing much preseason action [Just Women’s Sports, Dallas Hoops Journal].

Out of the eight players waived, only Sellers found a new home with the Dream, while the rest now face the daunting task of finding new opportunities. With limited roster spots and a fiercely competitive atmosphere, this is a tough reminder of how high the stakes really are in the WNBA.

 

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