Seattle Storm general manager Talisa Rhea told The Seattle Times that Sonia Raman will return as the club’s head coach in 2027, a continuity decision after Raman’s first season ended with an 8–36 record.
The report, published Sept. 26, says Rhea was pleased with Raman’s work building relationships, trust and respect with players. It is a report of a return, not a newly announced contract extension, and the Storm has not publicly detailed new contract terms in the source material.
The roster is the stated priority
Asked about the club’s foremost offseason need, Rhea told the Times that Seattle must improve the talent on its roster. The report identifies several possible avenues—including the draft lottery and free agency—but none is a completed transaction or a promise of a particular player move.
The Times reported that Seattle has the fourth-best odds for the No. 1 selection in the 2027 draft under the WNBA’s two-season lottery formula, subject to the league’s expansion-team rules. Lottery positioning is an odds-based status, not a guaranteed draft slot.
Personnel and defensive questions remain
The report identifies restricted free agent Jade Melbourne as one of Seattle’s pending decisions after her career-high 9.1 points and 3.7 assists per game. It also points to the team’s defensive results, including a league-high eight games allowing 100 points, as an area Raman will examine.
The confirmed update is narrow but meaningful: Raman is expected back, and Rhea has identified talent improvement as the organization’s priority. The source does not establish who Seattle will draft, sign, trade or retain, nor does it set a timetable for an injured player’s return.