With other teams in the conference making moves, the Storm have stood pat

Taken a gander at the WNBA transaction wire lately?

All of the potential Western Conference playoff teams have added punch except Seattle, which is three games behind conference leader Phoenix. But Storm coach and director of player personnel Brian Agler is standing pat.

Meanwhile the Mercury re-signed forward Penny Taylor. San Antonio re-signed center Ann Wauters, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2000. And Minnesota signed center Tasha Humphrey and forward Anna Montanana while cutting LaToya Pringle and Christi Thomas.

"I'm definitely open to anybody stepping up and helping us," Agler said. "It's something we talk about with our team all the time and each individual."

Agler may have to alter his position, however.

In Tuesday's overtime loss to Phoenix, Storm forward Katie Gearlds suffered an injury after slipping and landing hard on her left knee while driving the baseline. She was evaluated during halftime and did not play in the second half. On Wednesday she was diagnosed with a torn posterior cruciate ligament and is expected to be out four to six weeks.

Gearlds didn't travel with the Storm (12-8) to Los Angeles for tonight's game against the Sparks at Staples Center. The Sparks (6-11), who have lost six of their past 10 games, will most likely play without guard Betty Lennox (left knee) but return center Lisa Leslie (right knee).

"I like what we have in the locker room," said Storm forward Swin Cash, who has had three consecutive double-doubles. "We have enough to get it done. Teams go through different phases. We're going through a phase where there's a little adversity and how do you get over that?"

With Gearlds and Walker out, the Storm has nine active players. Center Ashley Robinson has not played in the past three games while center Suzy Batkovic-Brown (illness) has not been used in five of the past six games.

Center Janell Burse and guard Shannon Johnson have been the Storm's most active reserves, averaging 13.0 and 16.5 minutes, respectively. The Mercury, Silver Stars and Lynx all distribute more minutes to their bench.

"It's going to be a collective process to get to that point, but the objective is to get to that point," Agler said of playing his bench more.

The Storm could add to its roster with quality veterans like guard Anna DeForge available. Seattle has some room under the $803,000 salary cap.

The WNBA trade deadline is Aug. 17. "Do we have anything on the burner? No, we don't," Agler said. "There's a lot more that goes into trades than calling somebody up and making a trade. Even if two teams want to make a trade, it's still got to work under the cap. That's what makes it so difficult ... our plans are to stay pat. That doesn't mean things can't change either."

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