Behind the scenes with the Comets

CNNSI.com's Trisha Lucey (right) sat in with the Comets. Bill Baptist

In late April, the 16 WNBA teams filled out their training camp rosters with approximately 93 non-drafted and non-draft eligible players. Each franchise submitted a list of up to six desired free agents to the league which then made allocations based on the teams' preferences and individual needs. For example, if more than one team requested the same player, the club with the worst 1999 record won out.

The Houston Comets, by virtue of being the three-time defending WNBA champs, were obviously not in position to pick up top talent. Nevertheless, the day before they submitted their free agent choices, the Comets' coaching staff held a strategy session to narrow down their choices -- and they let CNNSI.com's Trisha Lucey sit in.

Comets coach Van Chancellor was in his office pacing in front of a giant dry-erase board covered with the names of more than 50 potential WNBA players. He was also cracking up his staff and this reporter with a running commentary on the players as he either erased a name from the board or had an assistant write it on a separate list for special consideration. "She couldn't play dead in a John Wayne movie," he said of one player. "I'd be a head case if we took her," he said of another. Chancellor kept whittling until he and his staff had settled on a tentative group of 12 players they felt they might select. The next day the coaches would reconvene to finalize the list. Chancellor knew that during this second meeting the league would call to remind him to get in his picks. Nevertheless, he was determined not be rushed. Holding up his cell phone Chancellor said, "The league is going to be buzzing me on this but I don't care. They're not going to give me a player anyway."

Chancellor was right, the Comets didn't get much: Paulina Jordan , a center from UNLV, failed her physical, and former Texas guard Nekeshia Henderson is still recovering from an ACL injury. Two guards -- Jawann Kelley Gibson and Dena Head -- will be in camp but both are long shots to make the team. Luckily, the Comets don't need much help.

Here's a look at three teams that were helped by free-agent signings:

Charlotte Sting: Apparently, Charlotte was looking for a backup to Dawn Staley and her aching knees. Looks like they'll get one. E.C. Hill , Erica Jackson and Niesa Johnson will battle it out in training camp.

Utah Starzz: The fact that 6'2" forward Cindy Brown , a two-year starter in WNBA, could not come to terms with the league opens the door for 6'3" forward Katryna Gaither .

Washington Mystics: Kellie Jolly Harper will get a chance to play with former Tennessee teammate Chamique Holdsclaw . But it's more likely that Keisha Anderson , a quicker point guard from Wisconsin, will make the roster.

Trisha Lucey covers women's basketball for CNNSI.com.

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