Lynx sign European veteran Katerina Elhotova but team 'has more work to do'

The free agent signing of Czech guard Katerina Elhotova on Thursday was key for a Minnesota Lynx team trying to retool its roster after winning the 2015 WNBA title. But Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve quickly added that her team "has more work to do."

The 5-11 Elhotova, 26, has played professionally in Europe for 10 seasons. She also played for the Czech Republic in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and in the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World championships; in 2010 the Czech Republic, which hosted the event, finished second to the United States.

"We spent a lot of time combing through our options," Reeve said. "She's played in the Euro League since she was 17. She shoots the ball well, has a nice pullup, and she can shoot the three."

Elhotova, in her 10th season with USK Praha, also has a history with a couple of Lynx. Lindsay Whalen played with her on USK Praha for five seasons, starting in 2007. Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson played with Praha in the 2012-13 season.

Reeve sees Elhotova fitting in right away on offense and likely getting substantial minutes as Seimone Augustus' backup.

This offseason has been a busy one for the Lynx, who have had to make some salary cap-related changes. The team is also looking to build a roster that will allow Reeve to take some minutes off her starters because four of them — Whalen, Augustus, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles — likely will play for the U.S. team at the Olympics in Brazil.

Spanish guard Anna Cruz — so important to the Lynx in 2015 — won't start the season with the Lynx while she plays for the Spanish national team, and Reeve said Cruz might not play in the WNBA this season. With that in mind the Lynx re-signed Renee Montgomery and now have signed Elhotova.

Reeve said Whalen was involved in getting Elhotova to sign. She hasn't played in the WNBA before, primarily because of national team commitments.

• Reeve, who will be an assistant on the U.S. team in Rio, just returned from a national team minicamp in Connecticut. She said Whalen, who is taking the year off from playing in Europe, was one of the best players in the camp. Whalen was hampered by injuries last season, but Reeve said the Lynx star looks to be in great health and great shape.