Before the 2024 draft class even stepped into the WNBA, the league saw their potential. Not just what they could do on the floor but also how their game would lure more fans. However, despite all the eyes on America’s professional basketball league, many believe that they have not been able to utilize the potential to its maximum. This is mostly because of the controversial narrative of the veterans hating Caitlin Clark and the rookies for their effect. But isn’t the overall growth great for them? And how will A’ja Wilson benefit the most from it all?

The WNBA has experienced a surge in all of its numbers over the past 26 years. This is what the rookies like Caitlin Clark have done within a month of their presence in the league. Talking about how it would affect the salary cap of the league and ultimately its players, Gilbert Arenas shares his views on his podcast ‘Gil’s Arena, “You need to now position yourself to be the one that’s making the money. So, the girls who are the best in this league right. So, we’re talking about A’ja. I can tell you what’s gonna happen. A’ja is the 17th highest-paid player right now.”

Arenas also added, “She’s in the type of position to see and now she has to really smarten up and realize I might need to take a one-year deal, two-year deal. When it explodes, she’s the first one to benefit from it. Because the money’s coming. A’ja needs to be the first one to say hey, 4-year, 5-year, twenty, whatever that’s gonna be. You have to start thinking business because the people that’s up here are doing that.”

He further explained that when A’ja Wilson gets her new contract, she should try to stay in for a lesser time or higher value. Something that the business owners will think about. However, pushing the salary cap is not the only thing that Caitlin Clark and the draft class have done.

Rashad McCants supports Caitlin Clark and the rookies

The former NBA star made his point quite clear on why the veterans should follow the truck and reap the benefits. But that was not the only point he made. He also stated that the attention that the WNBA and its players are now garnering came because of what Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and other rookies have achieved in college. To support his claim, he thrashed the veterans saying that the new players brought the eyes along with them and now the older players want everyone to see them.

He praised Caitlin Clark by saying, “She doesn’t give a f*** about the spotlight. She’s like just watch us all. I love women’s sports. She likes softball, she likes all of the women’s everything. But it’s not just Caitlin, because I know she doesn’t really address none of this.” McCants also talked about how Angel Reese would address the topic, “I know Angel will. But I know she’s not going to address it in a way that it should be addressed where we’re helping y’all. Which in turn helps us all. We are helping us.”

This group of men has certainly spoken a few facts that can be quite useful for the WNBA. The players too can gain a lot of financial advantages moving forward. However, it still remains to be seen if players like A’ja Wilson will really go down this road. Until then, we know how Caitlin Clark and the rest of the draft class have affected this season.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.