The Minnesota Lynx quietly signed one of the WNBA’s most impactful free agents

In a Saturday afternoon game between the Minnesota Lynx and Chicago Sky — a game that included Skylar Diggins, Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Kamilla Cardoso, and Olivia Miles, among other stars — the best player on the floor was Natasha Howard.

Howard tallied 26 points on 11-15 shooting alongside 14 rebounds and 5 assists. In her 33 minutes, the Lynx outscored the Sky by a game-high 16 points. No other player in the ball game scored more than 16 points or grabbed more than 9 rebounds.

The 34-year-old was a relatively low-key free agency acquisition this past summer. Howard was a starter for the Indiana Fever last year, but flew somewhat under the radar, averaging 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.

This season, however, she’s been one of the most important factors in the Lynx’s 4-2 start to the season, anchoring Minnesota’s defense while also being one of the team’s most important offensive players.

Natasha Howard has helped the Lynx survive several frontcourt offseason departures

The Lynx lost two of their most important frontcourt players — Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard — in free agency. Both players signed bigger contracts with the Dallas Wings. Smith signed a 3-year, $3.7 million contract, while Shepard signed a 2-year, $2.05 million contract.

On top of those two free agency losses, Napheesa Collier, last year’s MVP runner-up, has yet to make her season debut as she recovers from ankle surgeries. So, one would assume the Lynx’s frontcourt would be at a major disadvantage. But, Howard, along with guards Williams, McBride, and Miles, has effectively steered the ship.

The 14-year WNBA vet has carried the load offensively before; this is her fourth season averaging at least 16 points per game.

There were plenty of impactful free agency additions this past offseason. Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey have been awesome for the Toronto Tempo. Chennedy Carter has been hugely impactful off the bench for the Las Vegas Aces. Bridget Carleton is having a breakout season for the Portland Fire.

But no matter how you look at it, Howard has been among the most impactful. So far this season, she’s even been far more effective than Smith. Last year’s co-Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 4.3 points in just 17.8 minutes per game.

Howard, who signed a two-year, $1.4 million contract with the Lynx, is averaging 17 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Saturday’s big-time performance over the Chicago Sky was the latest reminder she’s been one of the most underratedly impactful free agency signings.