In the Minnesota Lynx’s growing free agency woes, Natisha Hiedeman has turned out to be their latest scar. The Lynx have already stood the test of time in the free agency window, bidding goodbye to prodigies like Bridget Carleton, but Hiedeman’s free agency decision has just put a big question mark on the team’s backcourt. Now, the seven-year veteran has reflected on her decision and the emotions around it herself.
Hiedeman recently expressed her love as she wraps up her Lynx career for a new chapter with the Seattle Storm. She took to her Instagram handle to share a few pictures from her Lynx career, across the two seasons, featuring Lynx teammates like her partner-in-crime Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier. The caption, though, was short. But it reflected much more than what long paragraphs could have done to reflect on her emotional decision to leave the Lynx for a new home.
“With love
2⃣,” the post’s caption read.
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(@t5poon)Hiedeman played just a couple of seasons at the Minnesota Lynx after tipping off her pro career with five seasons at the Connecticut Sun. She peaked her Lynx stint last year, recording 9.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. But as an unrestricted free agent, the Minnesota Lynx couldn’t have done much to keep her in Minneapolis, as they had already cored their franchise star, Napheesa Collier.
And now with Hiedeman’s departure, the veteran duo of her and Courtney Williams, nicknamed “StudBudz,” will also come to a close after they paired up since their Connecticut days in 2019. Meanwhile, Williams, who was the starting guard ahead of Hiedeman last season, is also an unrestricted free agent, and her return to the Lynx is also uncertain. reflecting that Hiedeman’s departure wasn’t just important on an emotional note but on the strategic front as well.
Of course, they do have Collier in their arsenal, but she is coming off surgery. She will also miss a few of the season’s opening games because of it. Reports of Nneka Ogwumike’s interest in joining the Lynx didn’t materialize, as the veteran will most likely return home to the Los Angeles Sparks. Furthermore, Carleton, who was an undisputed starter for the team last season, will also not suit up for the Lynx as they have lost her to the expansion team, the Portland Fire.
With so many crucial players leaving in a single stretch, the Minnesota Lynx are in a kind of frenzy as they look to build on their playoff run from last season. And the Hiedeman departure just adds to their existing tensions, as an experienced two-way player with formidable shooting and an elite defensive mentality would be quite a cushion in the backcourt for them in this rebuilding phase. But now, the team does have plenty to worry about moving ahead in this offseason.
Notably, the Minnesota Lynx do have a great opportunity to pick a top backcourt player in the WNBA draft. They have the No.2 pick in the draft. And can subsequently pick the likes of Azzi Fudd or Olivia Miles, considering one of them wasn’t picked by the Dallas Wings as the No.1 pick. On the contrary, the free agency window is still open, and teams can officially sign the players they want.
Thus, it won’t be surprising if the Minnesota Lynx has a surprise in store for them that can raise their ceiling immensely ahead of the 2026 season alongside Collier. With Natisha Hiedeman’s departure, the bench depth of the team for the backcourt has gone out the window. But on another front, it has opened new opportunities for the 29-year-old and the Seattle Storm.
How Does Natisha Hiedeman Fit in Seattle Storm’s Scheme of Things?
Similar to the Minnesota Lynx, the Seattle Storm is also in a kind of frenzy at this point in the season. The team suffered its biggest free agent loss when Nneka Ogwumike, who consistently scored 16+ points in her two seasons, joined the LA Sparks. Additionally, the Storm will also reportedly lose two of their vital cogs, Skyler Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams.
The Storm is doing its best to at least keep some of its other veterans on the team. For instance, they have already cored Ezi Magbegor, a seventh-year undisputed starter for the Storm. Considering Magbegor stays in Storm, she can provide that much-needed experience, along with Hiedeman, to an existing young roster featuring prodigies Dominique Malonga and Zia Cooke.
Being a seven-year veteran, Hiedeman will, of course, have a bit of responsibility to call the shots during her stay on the court. Yet despite that, she will face the challenge of transitioning to a new team. We’ve seen that Hiedeman has gone off the radar a bit in her first season with the Lynx since moving from Connecticut, averaging 4.9 points and 1.6 rebounds.
But with the Seattle Storm, Hiedeman may not have that leverage to take her time and settle down before proving her mettle, as the Storm’s free agency situation is immensely uncertain with so many veteran players leaving the team. All in all, it will be interesting to see how Hiedeman blends into a new team atmosphere in the upcoming season, which will tip off on May 8.
