Fire sign Holly Winterburn after Dream waived her while boarding bus for WNBA debut

Difficult roster transactions are part of the WNBA and all pro sports, but Winterburn deserved better. The Dream could've made the same move before the start of the season. The Chicago Sky did so with guard Hailey Van Lith (now with the Connecticut Sun).

Atlanta's handling of the situation is no way to treat a player, especially one returning from an injury that sidelined her all of last season. The injury was never specified.

Now, that's all in the past for Winterburn, who's aiming to make the most of her return to Oregon. The British guard played for the Oregon Ducks during the 2019-20 season before returning to her home country, where she played at Loughborough University and the University of East London. She also starred for the London Lions and Besiktas J.K. in Turkey's Super League. 

Players on developmental contracts are similar to practice-squad players in the NFL. They don't count against a team's salary cap but receive all the same benefits as other players and can be activated for games. Winterburn may get a shot with the expansion club after scoring 12 points in an 83-72 preseason loss to the Washington Mystics on May 3.

Winterburn's welcome to the WNBA moment was a bitter one. Perhaps she'll use it as fuel when she makes her long-awaited debut for Portland.