Storm grades, forecast

The Storm will hold exit interviews today with players, some of whom are departing for their offseason lives as early as tomorrow. An expansion draft to bring Chicago into the current 13-team league will bring some changes to Seattle's roster, but the core should return. Here's a breakdown of how each player's season went and a glimpse at their future, plus an evaluation of coach Anne Donovan:

Suzy Batkovic, center

Didn't arrive from Europe until June 3. Played in 29 games, averaging 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds coming off the bench. Had trouble adapting to American-style post play, constantly committing the same reaching foul when rebounding. Would like to be a starter, but needs improvement on defense to be one.

Final grade: C-.

Next year: Batkovic wanted to start and does so overseas for more money. She could opt to solely play on the international scene but should be protected by Storm in the expansion draft and return next season.

Sue Bird, guard

Spent 25 games in a face mask with her second broken nose in as many seasons and a fractured right orbital bone. Still, Bird took on a stronger leadership role and led the league in assists, averaging 5.9 on a career-low 176 total. But her offense (9 points, 4.3 assists) and defense was horrible in the playoffs.

Final grade: C.

Next year: Under contract to return.

Janell Burse, center

At times Burse was a seamless fit to replace veteran Kamila Vodichkova inside. At other times she left Seattle without options. The yo-yo play made the Storm's interior defense the worst it's been since the early years, even though Burse drastically improved her play to average a career-high 10 points and 5.8 rebounds in 34 games.

Final grade: B-.

Next year: Should be protected by team to return.

Iziane Castro Marques, forward

Has all the attributes to be a star in the league; she just needs development. Izzy's speed is ideal for the Storm's planned transition offense, and she worked hard to learn to defend the league's best small forwards. However, her lack of experience showed in Game 3 of the playoffs.

Final grade: B.

Next year: Should return to her starting role.

Simone Edwards, center

Playing with a sprained ankle much of the season, Edwards fought hard to retain her spot on the roster by doing the little things and keeping herself ready. Her minutes dwindled to a career-low 201 from 810 in 2001. But she may have shown enough to at least stay in the league, if not as the Storm's last remaining original player.

Final grade: A.

Next year: Most likely won't be protected by Storm.

Lauren Jackson, forward

Stubbornness was Jackson's only opponent as she struggled with the demanding leadership role early. She returned from offseason reconstructive surgery on her right ankle and displayed a more well-rounded player. However, her three-point average plummeted to 28.8 percent from a league-best 45.2 in 2004. A sprained lower back hindered her effectiveness in the postseason.

Final grade: A.

Next year: Should re-sign with the Storm, but did commit to Australian national team for some international competition that could conflict with the WNBA.

Betty Lennox, guard

Despite tearing ligaments in her left wrist and missing six games in August, Lennox improved her production for a second consecutive season, averaging 12.4 points. She's the clutch player needed on every roster, even if she rushed and missed a possible winning shot in Game 2 of the playoffs. Improved her leadership skills, but needs consistency to be part of the team's "Big Three."

Final grade: B.

Next year: Should be protected and re-sign with Storm.

Alicia Thompson, forward

Thompson is another player on the Storm bench who had to train herself to remain mentally ready for when Seattle needed an offensive spark or defensive stop. Thompson was consistently ready. But she's not a quick-footed player, which could hold her back as the league evolves.

Final grade: C+.

Next year: Most likely won't be protected.

Natalia Vodopyanova, forward

Vodopyanova had a four-game stretch in July where she really added to the team's chemistry on the court. She slipped back to deep bench but could be a solid reserve next season. She bodies up on defense and has a good shooting range for a 6-foot-3 player.

Final grade: B.

Next season: Should return as a successful experiment.

Tanisha Wright, guard

This versatile guard is the future of the team as long as she stays the course laid this summer. Replacing both Bird and Lennox when the starters were injured, Wright gained confidence in every game that she played, averaging 8.5 points in the final six regular-season matchups and showing glimpses of promise in stretches during the postseason.

Final grade: A.

Next season: Under contract to return.

Francesca Zara, guard

Another successful pickup by the Storm via free agency. Although not her natural style, Zara learned to be vocal in running the team from her position, but the WNBA has moved away from the traditional point guard role of strictly passing, and Zara could have shot more of the opening looks she had.

Final grade: B.

Next season: On bubble, not to be protected.

Anne Donovan, coach

A championship banner is not the ideal tarp to reconstruct a team, but Donovan seemed to hold up the facade, matching last season's 20-14 record, securing second place for the second consecutive postseason, and becoming the first woman to win 100 games in her career. But her champion disguise crumbled in the postseason when a veteran Houston team easily took away the Storm's sole successful move — the pick-and-roll. The Storm was exposed as too inexperienced to find an alternative quick enough to repeat its championship run.

Final grade : C+.

Next season: Could lose one of her assistant coaches, will have stronger team because of stinging first-round playoff loss.

Jayda Evans