Esports Update: With the Overwatch League getting underway last week, there is already plenty of speculation over the moves that are likely to be made by the many different teams involved.
Here are five players that could find themselves involved in trades in the coming months.
Houston Outlaws – Mendokusaii
Mendokusaii is the obvious odd man out on a Houston Outlaw squad filled to the brim with talented DPS players. Clockwork covers the need for a Tracer player, while the combination of Jake and LiNkzr, one of the best DPS duos in the league, leaves little room for Mendokusaii to find playing time. Mendokusaii’s best asset has long been his versatility, but the likelihood he would see play even within a three-DPS composition is fairly limited.
A possible trade destination for Mendokusaii would be the Florida Mayhem, a team lacking in overall depth, given the presence of only six players on their roster. Joining a team comprised of mostly fellow Swedish players, Mendokusaii would slot in nicely into a three-DPS composition or as a specialist (with the likes of Mei, Bastion, etc.), although Florida could equally also look to add a Support.
San Francisco Shock – Danteh
Danteh could be on his way out of the San Francisco Shock during the transfer window, given the presence of sinatraa on the roster. While currently a more than adequate DPS and Tracer player, Danteh’s value for the Shock will reduce significantly when sinatraa – considered one of the best Western Tracers – enters the fray at the end of Stage 2 when he turns 18.
The Shock could also look to sell high on iddqd, who had a resurgence during the preseason and vastly outperformed expectations, although his versatility will likely keep him on the roster at the expense of Danteh.
Philadelphia Fusion – Snillo
Snillo is an interesting young talent for the Philadelphia Fusion, whose playing time appears to be halted before it has even started by being behind the DPS trio of Carpe, Eqo, and ShaDowBurn. Unfortunately for Snillo, the Tracer player role is firmly in the hands of Carpe, who appears to be one of the best players in the league.
Snillo will be eligible for the third stage, as he is currently too young, leaving him open to be traded to a team looking to replace their Tracer player. A possible landing spot is the Boston Uprising. While Boston do not currently lack a DPS player, their long-term approach to the Overwatch League could lead them to pick up a young up-and-comer. Snillo also has played with Boston’s Mistakes before while on team 123, giving them a pre-existing relationship and synergy.
Boston Uprising – Avast or Kellex
Boston is one of the few teams with an excess of Support players, with Avast and Kellex appearing to fill the same role as the dedicated Lucio player. While currently out of the meta, Lucio was such a dominant force for an extended period of time that most teams within the OWL still have a dedicated Lucio player, with most adjusting to playing Mercy or Zenyatta, depending on other members of the team.
Where Avast and Kellex differ is their voice within the team, as Kellex is known as a quiet member while Avast is a shot-caller. Depending on which teams are in need of an upgrade, Avast joining a team lacking a vocal leader or Kellex joining a team needing a higher ceiling both make sense. Avast could also look to become a coach if no team appear in need of his services within the server.
LA Valiant – Grimreality
The Los Angeles Valiant are four-deep at DPS, with Grimreality having the least upside for the team. Soon is the dedicated Tracer player, joining primary Genji player Agilities in the starting lineup, with Silkthread appearing to be the versatile third DPS player when needed. Grimreality is mostly known for his McCree play, a niche hero with limited play in today’s meta. The concern for Grimreality is his poor performance on Tracer during the preseason, which lowers his overall value to both the LA Valiant and any possible future team.
This, ironically, opens the door to Silkthread being traded as his overall value is higher, yet it is more likely that LA will want to hold on to the more versatile and useful player in Silkthread. The best case scenario for Grimreality is that he moulds himself into a hitscan specialist, finding playing time with specific map and hero combinations such as Soldier 76 on Numbani, for example.
About the only thing that is certain with the OWL is a first-season shakeout, as teams figure out what works, and more importantly, what doesn’t. The OWL is a very high profile entry into the eSports world and it will be fascinating to see how the first season unfolds.
