The Lynx waived backup forward Lynetta Kizer on Saturday before boarding a plane to Dallas for Sunday's game against the Wings. The move brings the team's roster to 11.
But it might not stay there for too long.
Kizer, 28, was signed during the offseason, with the Lynx hoping she would replace the retired Plenette Pierson as the team's backup behind starting power forward Rebekkah Brunson. But Kizer's minutes dwindled while the team tried to figure out just what it needed in the post. Kizer's minutes had fallen off dramatically in recent games, particularly after the team's 3-6 start. Kizer played 6 total minutes in the team's current six-game winning streak, and she had not appeared in three of those games.
She averaged 1.8 points, shot 25 percent and averaged 1.6 rebounds in 12 appearances.
The move comes with the league's midseason cutdown date looming. After July 1 non-guaranteed contracts become guaranteed. WNBA teams can begin signing players to 7-day contracts starting July 4.
The team could bring Kizer back at that time, but it's unlikely. But the team will be working hard to identify an available veteran power forward in the coming days.
The team will see who gets waived around the league, then make a decision. The Lynx would like to find someone who can play limited — but valuable — minutes behind Brunson. Coach Cheryl Reeve wants to keep from playing Brunson much more than 30 minutes per game. Brunson has averaged about 28 minutes per game this season, but that has bumped up to just under 31 minutes per game during the team's winning streak.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles' loss Friday night means the top six teams in the WNBA — the Lynx and Connecticut are tied for fifth at 9-6 — are all within two games. The Lynx come home to play Indiana Tuesday. Then, on Thursday the Lynx will host Los Angeles in a game that promises to carry significant importance.
