You wouldn't normally go WOL-WATLE... If you didn't want the WATLE STAR.
Going WOL-WATLE, vice W543 to BIK from MRY would be the same or worse trackmiles (wild guess).
If you want to go to BK in CTA; then you'd be expected to go via WATLE for a STAR.
Other options would be via NWA-(W144)-TONTO-CN-BK OCTA.
If you want to go in CTA initially via the W144 that would be easily accomodated; provided you did the last 45NM OCTA...
No need to avoid NWA CTA as clearances for transit nearly always available; just call before getting to 23NM NWA (VFR); 121.2 and 125.0 will assist if IFR OCTA/CTA respectively.
Hope that helps.