The Washington Mystics began the 2024 calendar looking to rebuild from the Elena Delle Donne Era. They finished it ready to deconstruct after they moved on from Mike Thibault as their General Manager.
The 2024 calendar year was a big one for the Washingotn Mystics. Let’s review the top stories of their calendar year, in no particular order.
No. 1: The Michael Winger Era of the Mystics has begun
When Winger became the President of Monumental Basketball in 2023, he was also then-General Manager Mike Thibault’s boss. However, Winger focused most of his effort toward rebuilding the Washington Wizards with their General Manager, Will Dawkins. So Winger was effectively laissez-faire with Thibault’s decision-making on the WNBA team.
After the 2024 WNBA season, Mystics moved on from Mike Thibault as General Manager and Eric Thibault as Head Coach after a 14-26 season. Jamila Wideman and Sydney Johnson replaced them, respectively, where the former NBA league office executive and Chicago Sky assistant coach will work to implement Winger’s vision of the Mystics in the future.
First, it appears that the Mystics will rebuild a rebuild Mike Thibault intended to start in 2024. But given Wideman’s experience with player development programs for NBA players, the Mystics aren’t just trying to bring in skilled players to win championships. They want to develop well-rounded individuals who leave Washington in a better place than when they came in.
No. 2: The Mystics drafted Aaliyah Edwards No. 6 overall in 2024 WNBA Draft
Washington selected the multi-skilled forward out of Connecticut with their first round pick in the draft. The pick was controversial because Baltimore native and LSU forward Angel Reese was selected No. 7 overall by the Sky. She went on to become and All-Star and averaged a double double, while Edwards played as a reserve and wasn’t named to the All-Rookie team.
I think Edwards will still end up having a basketball career as strong as Reese, but her lack of playing time vs. Reese may have been a factor as to why the Thibaults aren’t back. And some fans would have preferred Reese because she would have drawn a much larger national spotlight to Washington, assuming Eric Thibault would have played her for longer stretches than he did for Edwards.
No. 3: Mystics set business records in 2024. But they must thank Caitlin Clark for setting them.
Reese is one of the WNBA’s marquee stars despite playing just one season in what should be a long career. But her college rival, former Iowa and now-Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft this year. And wherever the Fever went, crowds came to see her and the Fever.
The Mystics had two home games against the Fever this season in June and September at Capital One Arena. The June game generated over $1 million in ticket revenue and the September game set WNBA attendance records. It is great that the Mystics did this. But let’s be honest. Fans weren’t filling up Capital One Arena to watch Edwards, or Brittney Skyes, or Ariel Atkins. They were there for Clark.
No. 4: The Mystics will likely remain at Entertainment and Sports Arena indefinitely. That is NOT a good thing.
If the Washington Wizards and Capitals moved to Alexandria, the Mystics would have moved to Captial One Arena full-time. However, they are now expected to remain at ESA indefinitely, except for four games of their choosing, which can be at Capital One Arena.
Therefore, the Mystics were the losers in Monumental Sports & Entertainment with the deal. With the WNBA expanding and those new teams playing in NBA arenas, the pressure will increase on the Mystics to do the same, not just from a business perspective, but also from a perception-based one to prospective free agents.m
No. 5: Three Mystics players and Mike Thibault represented their country in the 2024 Olympics
Edwards was named to the Canada women’s national basketball team, guard Julie Vanloo was named to the Belgium women’s national basketball team, and guard Jade Melbourne was named to the Australia women’s national basketball team for the games in Paris. Of the three Mystics Olympians, Melbourne returned with the bronze medal.
In addition, then-General Manager Mike Thibault was named an assistant coach for the USA Basketball women’s national team where they won the Gold Medal.
No. 6: Elena Delle Donne decides to skip the 2024 WNBA season rather than get cored
The Mystics cored Delle Donne, their then-franchise player, because she would likely yield the most in a trade. Delle Donne was reportedly trying to play for the Las Vegas Aces, but they and no other team were willing to give up what Washington would have likely wanted. So, Delle Donne decided to take the year off.
With Mike Thibault not returning and Michael Winger likely ready to rebuild Mike’s rebuild, it’s unlikely that Delle Donne will play for Washington next year.
No. 7: The Mystics were close to matching a franchise record losing streak, and almost made the playoffs
The 2024 Mystics season featured a team that was clearly talented enough to make the playoffs, even without Delle Donne. However, they started the season on a 12 game losing streak. That was one off the mark set by the 2012 team that went 5-29.
If someone NOT named Eric Thibault were the head coach, that coach could have been fired, even if the team was otherwise gelling together off the court. But bygones are bygones since the Mystics are in a new era.
At any rate, the Mystics were 14-14 for the remainder of the season (and this record included another losing streak after the Olympics that put them in PRIME position for the No. 1 draft pick in 2025 but Washington only has No. 4). I’m sure the 2024 Mystics team and Eric Thibault will say that the last 28 games of that season were a better reflection of what they are capable of. And I agree to be honest.
But ultimately, whether it’s the long losing streaks and still going for a playoff spot, or the reliance on international one-and-done players over several years, or just … because … Michael Winger decided to make a change in strategy and high level personnel.
We’ll see how the 2025 Mystics team looks and performs in the weeks and months ahead.