Mercedes Russell

Russell underwent offseason surgery to address a recurrent, atypical headache syndrome last year but has been fully cleared for the 2023 campaign. When she's been a full-time starter (2019 and 2021), the sixth-year center has posted season averages of at least 7.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game, but when she's garnered a reserve role, she's been basically irrelevant in fantasy. Her outlook for 2023 seems relatively rosy, with Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird gone and Gabby Williams potentially sitting out the season, Russell could wind up starting beside Ezi Magbegor in the frontcourt and seeing plenty of minutes for what is looking like a relatively shallow group of quality players in Seattle for 2023. Russell should draw some fantasy looks as a result.