The Whips have traded Zed Williams to the Waterdogs in exchange for Matt Brandau, along with swaps of third-round picks in the 2025 draft, as the Whips end up with the 17th overall and the Waterdogs with the 23rd. This move, which came days after being reported by the one and only Dan Arestia, has generated more discussion among fans and analysts alike. It would make sense for both sides to agree to the deal, since both teams have convincing reasons to do so; they address specific needs and strategies going into the 2025 season.
For the Waterdogs, Zed Williams is a dynamic addition to fill a very critical gap in their offensive lineup. The team has hinted at his role already by teasing on social media that he will start at attack alongside Kieran McArdle and Michael Sowers. This is a tantalizing trio, as both McArdle and Sowers have been two of the more consistent and skilled attackmen in the league. McArdle posted 22 goals and 12 assists on 28% shooting a season ago, while Sowers had 18 goals and 19 assists, shooting at a slightly more efficient 29% rate. Throwing Williams into that mix gives the Waterdogs more physical, goal-scoring ability to go along with the playmaking skills of his new linemates.
Since Zed joined Whipsnakes in 2020, he has been one of the most dangerous offensive players in the league, posting consistency year in and year out. He had 31 points in 10 regular season games last season, where he tallied 28 goals off 80 shots for a shooting percentage of 35%. He was averaging three points a game, but it came on some tremendous ball security on 17 touches per turnover – that number, against good teams, is solid. Slated to come in at No. 15 of the current Top 50, adding a scoring punch who can create an advantage will offer much needed consistency the Waterdogs attack is craving. Their struggles in 2024 struggled from solidifying a reliable third attackman which highlights why this trade makes sense for them. Williams’ physicality and scoring prowess are likely what the Waterdogs had originally hoped to see in Matt Brandau but couldn’t fully unlock during his rookie season.
It was a very underwhelming rookie campaign by Brandau with the Waterdogs, but it has to be put into perspective. He played in just six games, scoring four with two assists for six points while shooting a paltry 20% on 20 attempts. However, he did a good job of protecting the ball, turning it over just three times in 76 touches, which equates to a turnover every 25 touches. As rough as his professional debut was, Brandau’s collegiate career at Yale was nothing short of spectacular. He posted 101 points in his final season, scoring 44 goals with 57 assists for the combination of being a pure scorer to also being able to facilitate the ball on offense. Picked seventh overall by the Waterdogs, Brandau was big coming-into-the-league guy, but that fit certainly wasn’t right. The trade to the Whipsnakes gives him a fresh start and an opportunity to rediscover his form that made him such a highly regarded prospect.
The key for the Whipsnakes might just be Brandau’s potential versatility. He projects as an attack starter next to Rookie of the Year Tucker Malone and team cornerstone Matt Rambo. Malone had a great rookie season, posting 37 points in 10 games, and Rambo is an established goal-scorer, chipping in 18 points in nine games. This trio brings a great mix of scoring and playmaking that could make things easier for Matt Brandau to fit in and maximize his strengths. While Brandau’s assist numbers were low in his limited appearances for the Waterdogs, his collegiate statistics suggest he could evolve into a complementary playmaker for the Whipsnakes. That is particularly interesting with the dynamic of the current lineup, with Malone’s dual-threat ability and Rambo’s scoring focus providing a great foundation.
The decision to trade Williams for Brandau also raises questions regarding strategy by the Whipsnakes. On paper, it looks a bit risky to replace someone as proven and goal-oriented as Williams with a rookie still trying to find his legs in the PLL, but maybe the Whipsnakes are banking on Brandau’s ability to bring that same level of collegiate production into this new environment. His history as an “assist merchant” at Yale would suggest the team sees him as a facilitator, and he makes space and opportunity for both Malone and Rambo. The movement of the draft pick provides better positioning in the upcoming draft to continue bolstering the roster.
For the Waterdogs, the trade fills an immediate need but also helps solidify their offensive identity. Adding Williams brings a proven scorer into the mix for an attack last season that was inconsistent from game to game. Though the Waterdogs now have six attackmen on their roster, the physicality and scoring presence of Williams make him decidedly a priority in their construction. Matching him with McArdle and Sowers completes a unit that can test even the best defenses in the league. A disappointing 2024 season by the Waterdogs drove the need for change, and this trade might be exactly what they need to get better in 2025. This ultimately reflects the difference in priorities of the two teams in regard to the trade: the Whipsnakes banking on the potential and flexibility Matt Brandau brings to their attack, while the Waterdogs are doubling down on proven talent to solidify their core on offense.
Which team benefits more from this exchange will be seen only with time, but undeniably, this trade has great potential to impact the 2025 season.
