The Seattle Storm are a team in transition. The young side, featuring multiple talented future superstars like Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam, and Flau’jae Johnson, has not quite found its footing. They are 3-9 to start the season under a new coach, Sonia Raman. But the team wants to move in a forward direction, which has caused a roster change featuring Lexie Brown. 

Brown could not get real minutes in this guard rotation at the Storm. Jade Melbourne, Zia Cooke, and Natisha Hiedeman were ahead of her in the rotation. Lexie Brown could only come off the bench for 14.8 minutes per game. She averaged 3.8 points and 1.1 assists per game in the time she did get, but shot 45% from the three-point line. However, now the Seattle Storm are moving on from her for a previous developmental player. 

According to Underdog WNBA, the Seattle Storm have waived Lexie Brown. She had been listed as “not with the team” for the Storm’s previous two games, which may have hinted at her impending departure. As a replacement, the Storm have converted Taylor Thierry’s developmental contract to a permanent contract. 

Thierry was drafted at No. 36 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream. She played in 17 games for the team for just 2.1 minutes per game. This season, she played 5 minutes per game for the Storm in 3 games, averaging 2 points and a rebound per game. However, moving on from an experienced star like Lexie Brown raised eyebrows among some fans, while others even expected it. 

Lexie Brown’s Storm Departure Draws Divided Opinions From Fans

“Saw this coming a mile away. She better get back to that podcast!” wrote a fan. “I’m only surprised Lexie Brown didn’t get waived sooner. That’s it,” added another. Brown has been a controversial personality off the court this offseason. She was rumored to have been dating Klay Thompson while he was involved with Megan Thee Stallion. 

However, Brown completely denied the allegations but not everybody from the Stallion fan base believes her. Beyond that incident, Brown has been involved in plenty of controversies via podcasts. For example, she was accused of mocking Li Yueru for her English when they were teammates at the Sparks. However, her on-court exploits in the past warrant a place, according to some.  

“Shooting on and off but I’ll put ha wit the best of em when she hot sky better grab her,” wrote a fan. “Could be a really good addition to a good team to add some good 3-point shooting off the bench,” pitched in another. 

Brown has been in the league for 8 years and has always been a sharp shooter. Her best year came in 2023 when she averaged 12.4 points, 2.4 assists and 2.1 rebounds while shooting 41.5% from the three-point line. However, her minutes have been limited after 2024. However, her lack of game time suggests that her time in the WNBA could be running out as more talent from Europe arrives. But there is a reason for her on-court drop-off, as she is dealing with a chronic problem. 

“I think she’s battling a health issue so she’s not been with the team for awhile prolly why they waived her,” wrote a fan. She has been dealing with Crohn’s disease for the last two years and struggling with her fitness. While Lexie Brown clarified before the start of the season that she was fit, the condition is such that it can re-emerge at any point. 

“There are daily things that I have to be cautious of, knowing where the bathrooms are or not eating too much food during the day if I’m out somewhere and having my gauze pads and everything on me,” she has said. “I always have to carry a purse. So it’s actually kind of nice because when I go to sporting events, I get to carry my bags inside.” 

Nevertheless, it remains unconfirmed whether it played any part in this decision, but it can’t be discounted either. With teams looking for impactful players to come from the bench, Brown could find herself back in the WNBA. Or, her WNBA career could be nearing its end at age 31.