Storm signs forward Castro Marques

The Storm is one piece from returning its core from the 2006 season.

On Thursday, the team announced the signing of forward Iziane Castro Marques to a multi-year deal, leaving only point guard Sue Bird unsigned. Karen Bryant, Storm chief operating officer, said the only thing holding up Bird's contract is length.

The Storm's future is Seattle is contingent on the new owners securing a deal for a new arena in Renton. Although Bird has not stated she wouldn't relocate with the team if it were to move to Oklahoma City, the uncertainty could factor into the number of years for which she signs.

But Bird, like Castro Marques and center Janell Burse, who re-signed earlier this offseason, is amped about the upcoming season. The Storm should be healthy, and four of its starters have played together since the 2004 championship season.

"[Castro Marques] was Brazil's finest player at the World Championship this past fall," Storm coach Anne Donovan, who coached the U.S. team, said in a statement. "Izi really is starting to come in to her own as a player."

The 6-foot Castro Marques started 26 games last season and averaged 7.2 points and 2.1 rebounds. She was pulled from the starting lineup for rookie Barbara Turner because of poor offense and began grumbling about her future in Seattle. She contemplated playing for another team, but because she was a restricted free agent, Seattle had the right to match any offer.

Terms of her deal were not announced.

Donovan likes Castro Marques' speed and defensive capabilities, along with her slashing capabilities. With Turner, Shaunzinski Gortman and Tanisha Wright, the Storm will have a strong perimeter rotation.

The Storm is in need of a reserve point guard, with Edwige Lawson-Wade deciding to take a break from playing basketball year-round and not return to Seattle. A backup could be acquired in Wednesday's draft, in which the Storm has the seventh pick.

"We've looked at a lot of different scenarios, but at this point it looks like we'll keep [pick] seven and get a quality player," Donovan said.

Jayda Evans: 206-464-2067 or jevans@seattletimes.com