Loree Moore, Alison Lacey among players trying to make Storm roster

Keeping an eye on the WNBA is nothing new for Loree Moore.

Moore understands the business side of the league and knew she could end up somewhere other than her New York home. And she thinks one team emerged as the perfect fit — the Storm.

"I always saw that Sue (Bird) never had that backup type of point guard, that can alleviate her not having to play so many minutes and put so much on her shoulders," said Moore, who played for the Liberty since being drafted in the first round in 2005. "That was a reason why this became a very interesting situation for me. I've always felt I could fit in here and it was a great opportunity."

Moore and the Liberty mutually agreed to release her from the final year of her contract, clearing her to sign a training-camp deal with Seattle. Moore is one of 10 players in camp and is competing with rookie Alison Lacey for a position.

Yet neither can look at the other as their sole competition.

After the retirement of backup point guard Shannon Johnson and the decision of veterans Suzy Batkovic-Brown (marriage), Janell Burse (rest) and Katie Gearlds (knee) to not return, the Storm has 12 newcomers vying for five spots on the roster.

Six players have guaranteed contracts. One — dispersal draft pickup Chelsea Newton — has reported to camp on time. Bird (Russia), Tanisha Wright (Poland) and Le'Coe Willingham (Spain) are in the midst of playoffs series overseas and their return date isn't certain.

Forward Lauren Jackson is training with her Australian national team and could arrive Sunday. Forward Swin Cash was in Miami and is expected this weekend.

"All I really know is that I'm here and I'm trying to get on that roster," Moore said. "I'm just getting used to the terminology and how things are run. It's adjusting to that part and seeing why he (coach Brian Agler) is doing things that way. Once I get that ... I think everything else will fall into place for me."

Agler, also director of player personnel, wasn't expecting to lose the bulk of his bench. Still, with production that ranked among the worst in the league in 2009, he anticipated needing to improve the area.

Evaluating two practices, he was equally impressed with Moore and Lacey, who developed into a point guard at Iowa State.

"Nothing is given," Agler said.

Notes

• Agler is undecided how he'll run a scrimmage against China's national team in Portland on Wednesday, but the game could determine if there are any cuts before Sunday's exhibition debut at KeyArena. The Storm will host China in Seattle in May.

"We'll make decisions when they're obvious," Agler said of cuts. "We don't have any that are obvious right now."

• Seattle hasn't reached a television deal for the 2010 season. The Storm had its games carried on FSN last year. The team will have four games covered by ESPN2 this summer.

• The annual "Stormin' the Lake" kickoff at Green Lake will be 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Players practice until 2 p.m., so they'll arrive late, but fans will be able to participate in games and activities suitable for all ages.

• Third-round draft choice Tijana Krivacevic, a 20-year-old post player from Serbia, will not report this season.

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