The Lynx reached the 12-player WNBA limit by waiving rookie center Walthiea Rolle Wednesday afternoon. Rolle was a third-round pick (36th overall) by the Lynx in the 2013 draft. She averaged 7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1 steal in three preseason games.
The final roster includes three players who are currently recovering from knee surgeries – reserve guard Monica Wright, reserve forward Devereaux Peters and starting forward Rebekkah Brunson – and three rookies in forward/center Damiris Dantas, forward Asia Taylor and guard/forward Tricia Liston, who was the team's first-round draft pick in April.
Perhaps the most difficult decision was whether to go with Liston or Rolle for the final roster spot. The team also considered the league waiver wire before reaching a decision.
Meanwhile, after Wednesday's practice, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said she had not yet decided who would start in place of Brunson at power forward when the Lynx open their season at Washington Friday night. Dantas practiced with the first unit on both Tuesday and Wednesday, but Taylor had looked good with the starters at the WNBA preseason tournament last weekend.
"Are we closer [to a decision? Maybe," Reeve said. But a final decision might not come into Friday's morning shootaround.
