Storm Waive Third-Round Pick Grace VanSlooten
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Former Seattle Storm forward Grace VanSlooten looks to rise up for a jumpshot in the Storm’s 89-78 loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday, May 17, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Credit: Courtesy of Seattle Storm [/caption]
The Seattle Storm are preparing for the arrival of No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam following her championship win with Valencia in Spain, and they waived third-round pick Grace VanSlooten on Monday to make space on the roster.
VanSlooten, who has played in all four regular-season games, was the 39th overall pick in this year’s draft out of Michigan State. She likely would have landed in a developmental roster spot initially if Fam was with the Storm to begin the campaign, but the second spot is now filled by Taylor Thierry. Of course, if she clears waivers, the Storm could always let go of Thierry and re-sign VanSlooten to a developmental contract.
In four games this season, VanSlooten has averaged 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks in 12.0 minutes per game. Her most extensive action came in the Storm’s most recent game against the Indiana Fever, an 89-78 loss, playing 18 minutes and totaling five points, two rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
With Dominique Malonga sidelined by a concussion, VanSlooten and Mackenzie Holmes — two of the Storm’s reserve posts — were called upon to play extended minutes. However, VanSlooten’s increased time against the Fever seemed to suggest she may be higher in the rotation than Holmes and preferred.
Instead, Holmes, a 2024 third-round pick, is sticking around. VanSlooten should have a market to potentially be snagged by another team if she doesn’t return to Seattle in some capacity.
Why Holmes over VanSlooten?
Holmes impressed this offseason while playing in Australia, and she was an MVP finalist for the WNBL’s Geelong Venom. Although she still hasn’t seen massive success in the WNBA, the Storm appear committed to developing her skill set. Holmes played a season-high 23 minutes against the Connecticut Sun in the second game of the season, totaling five points, six rebounds, two assists and one block. That was her best performance yet.
VanSlooten has shown more potential as a rim protector, and she can move surprisingly well with the ball in space and create off her own dribble. But the Storm already have multiple players who will fill that role, particularly whenever Ezi Magbegor returns from her injury. With that in mind, it’s the most likely explanation for general manager Talisa Rhea’s decision.
At this point, the Storm’s roster has so many pending changes and potential lineup adjustments that it’s hard to predict their next move. In this case, VanSlooten was deemed expendable.
The Storm (1-3) have had an expectedly rough start to the 2026 season, but they will have a much easier matchup on Wednesday, May 20, when they host the Sun — their second game against the team in five games.
