It was Aliyah Boston who probably missed out on Justine Pissott the most. The rookie, whom the Fever waived, dropped 19 points in 10 minutes, including a rookie-record five triples, against the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday. She showed what the Indiana Fever were missing out on.
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With Pissott and the Fever’s other shooters like Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham playing alongside Boston, it would have given the center some breathing room in the paint. However, that opportunity will remain a what-could-have-been. Despite Pissott’s exit, the Fever stars Boston and Sophie Cunningham remain appreciative of the talented star.
“Good for that girl. We are all Justine,” Boston said on the ‘Post Moves’ podcast.
Candace Parker added: “It’ll be determined whether that’s a huge signing for the Aces and whether she can fill some of the scoring needs off the bench for the Aces.”
Pissott has a tattoo on her thigh that reads, Everything happens for a reason. And a move to the Aces could be exactly what she needs. The Vanderbilt graduate did not get a single opportunity during her time at the Fever, as she remained a developmental player until the Aces came calling.
While her game against the Fever was a disappointing one, it seems she is finding her place in the Aces rotation.
“What I will say is we watched a lot of tape on her. Obviously you guys know I love shooters, and she can shoot that thang,” coach Becky Hammon said earlier this week.
The player was practicing with the Fever but had no in-game experience, and all indications pointed to the fact that the Fever were not going to try her anytime soon. But her former teammates, including Sophie Cunningham, still have a good relationship with her.
“I’m so proud of her. She can shoot the heck out of the ball, and I think any team is lucky to have her,” Cunningham said three days before Boston’s comment. “Anyone who has a stretch four that can shoot has a huge asset in the WNBA. She showed her potential and what she can do from the three-point line.”
Her size at 6’4″ gives Pissott an immediate advantage. With the three-point evolution of the league, every team is looking for shooters and not just the Aces.
Her archetype has a long-term future in the WNBA, considering how the league is shaping up. And when Pissott trains and plays under an elite winning coach like Becky Hammon, she will very likely improve further. The Fever chose roster certainty over long-term upside. Early returns suggest the Aces may have found value where Indiana saw a developmental project.