After winning 12 of their last 15 games, the Minnesota Lynx became the first team to qualify for the playoffs. However, the seven losses the league leaders have suffered this season have exposed some critical gaps in their roster. While the Lynx passed on the trade deadline that closed on Sunday, August 3, they have signed a player on a developmental contract in a bid to strengthen their squad in a position they have needed coverage for weeks.
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On Wednesday, the Minnesota Lynx announced on their official website that they had just signed guard Elena Buenavida to a player development contract. Buenavida has played for the Valencia Basket Club before this. She averaged 7.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, while shooting 47.0% from the field, in 34 appearances in the Spanish LF Endesa last season.
On the international stage, she has been part of the Spanish Women’s National Team and has represented them at the qualifying tournament for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 in Puerto Rico. There, she averaged 6.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game and helped Spain qualify for this year’s FIBA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Germany from September 4.
Her European and international experience means Buenavid brings a solid backup option for the Lynx at the guard position, where they have struggled to find consistent rotation options.
Despite the trade window closing, the Lynx took advantage of the brand-new roster mechanism introduced under the landmark 2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It has been designed to serve as a vital safety net against injuries and structural roster crunches, something that the Lynx would have kept in mind while making this signing.
The Lynx were without Napheesa Collier for the first half of the season. This placed an additional burden on rookie Olivia Miles, who has thrived in her role spectacularly. She is averaging 20.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game this season, and has emerged as the main playmaker for the Lynx this season.
However, being over-reliant on one player can be costly for any team, especially in a three-game elimination series in the playoffs.
As we approach the playoffs, the Lynx would have wanted to have some backup for Miles, in case she misses game time due to injuries or any other reason.
The Lynx would remember last year’s surprise exit from the playoffs, in which Collier’s injury played a major role. So this year, it looks like they want to keep their bases covered. Thus, the signing of Elena Buenavid.
So, apart from roster and injury issues, coach Cheryl Reeve has built a solid two-way team this season.
Can this finally be the year the Minnesota Lynx win a championship?
The fundamentals look solid for the Lynx this year. They have the second-best offensive rating in the league this year, at 116.4, just behind the Indiana Fever, as per WNBA advanced stats. They also have the third-best defensive rating of 105.1.
Although Napheesa Collier was out for the first half of the season, Olivia Miles stepped up and despite being a rookie, has led the team from the backcourt for most of the season. In fact, the rookie is now among the MVP candidates.
Meanwhile, Napheesa Collier has returned to action just ahead of the All-Star break and looked like she didn’t skip a beat. There is no denying that her elite, two-way play elevates the team’s championship ceiling dramatically.
Alongside veterans like Courtney Williams and Natasha Howard, guard Kayla McBride has been lethal, recently setting a WNBA record by sinking 10 three-pointers in a single game and achieving her career high score in the same game.
So there are plenty of reasons for the Minnesota fans to be hopeful for silverware this season. They have not won a championship since 2017.
However, even the Lynx have looked vulnerable at times. Following their latest loss against the Los Angeles Sparks, coach Cheryl Reeve expressed her frustration.
“46 points in the paint. Literally, a team can get whatever they want on us… That’s what I watch for 40 minutes. Every player at every position was terrible.”
And that’s why coach Reeve wants to lug every hole before the playoffs. However, since then, the Lynx have already won two games and would want to continue their winning momentum as they take on the Portland Fire next on August 12.