Courtesy of Richard Bagan
No. 1: The New York Liberty – As reigning champions, the Liberty get the top spot. Stars Stewart, Ionescu, and Jones are all returning this season, along with key players Laney-Hamilton and Fiebich. While they did lose starting point guard Vandersloot, Ionescu is expected to fill the role. Younger players like Martinez and Correra will also be asked to step up. Despite not having any notable draft picks, the Liberty return most of their championship squad and are poised to make another deep run.
No. 2: The Minnesota Lynx – Last year’s runners-up return with minimal roster changes. Their starting five is returning, including the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and Unrivaled 1v1 champion, Naphessa Collier. Along with Williams and McBride, expect another strong team defense and a high-scoring offense. The only significant loss for the Lynx was quality bench player Hines-Allen. However, with a nearly identical roster to last season’s and a mentality of revenge, the Lynx will be a force to be reckoned with.
No. 3: The Las Vegas Aces – After failing to complete the three-peat last season, Vegas has had a busy off-season. The team lost starting guard Plum to the Sparks, along with Hayes, Alysha, and Colson, thinning their bench. However, they have gained a six-time WNBA all-star, Loyd, from the Storm, along with players like Parker-Tyus and Mitchell. While weaker than their championship teams in 2022 and 2023, the Aces still have the reigning unanimous MVP in A’ja Wilson. Along with Young and Gray, this team, with a new chip on their shoulder, is poised to go on a revenge tour.
No. 4: The Indiana Fever – The Fever made the playoffs for the first time since 2016, losing to the Sun in the first round. The core trio in Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston, are returning. Indiana had a busy offseason, adding veterans Bonner, Howard, and Cunningham to boost experience and defensive talent. With Stephanie White as head coach and a more versatile squad, expect the Fever to make a deeper playoff run.
No. 5: The Phoenix Mercury – Last season’s seventh seed is tricky to rank after significant roster changes. They lost 10-time all-star Brittney Griner, along with starters Cunningham and Cloud. The legendary Taurasi also retired this offseason. However, they retained their star, Copper, and signed top-tier players Thomas and Sabally. These moves should boost the defense and open up the floor with Thomas’s exceptional passing. Despite lacking an established point guard, Phoenix filled the gaps necessary this offseason.
No. 6: The Atlanta Dream – This team snuck into the playoffs last season with a 15-25 record. They lost two starters in Charles and Parker-Tyus, but have brought in major replacements, signing all-stars Griner and Jones. Howard and Allisha Gray continued to raise their value with exceptional performances in the Unrivaled League this winter. Expect this offense to be aggressive and high scoring. Their new coach, Karl Smesko, is experienced in the college game; time will tell if that success translates to the pros.
No. 7: The Seattle Storm – Despite finishing as the 5th seed, the Storm traded perennial all-star Loyd for the second overall pick, signaling a focus on the future. They selected 19-year-old French player Dominique Malonga, one of the unique talents in recent memory. Paired with veteran Diggins-Smith and Ogwumike, the offense should stay strong even with the Loyd departure. Expect this team to lean heavily on defense while Malonga acclimates to the league.
No. 8: The LA Sparks – After finishing with the league’s worst record, the Sparks have committed to their rebuild. Two starters were lost this offseason in Brown and Nurse, but signing point guard Plum instantly makes this team better. A prolific point guard who can score from anywhere, Plum should improve the team’s offense both with her scoring and by assisting former Aces teammate Hamby and sophomore Jackson. The team’s 2024 second overall pick prospect, Brink, tore her ACL early last season. With her recovery, the defense should be stronger. This year’s ninth overall pick, Ashlee Barker, should add some strength to the wing as well.
No. 9: The Dallas Wings – Despite finishing near the bottom in 2024, the Wings could contend for a playoff spot this year. They lost great players in Sabally and Howard, but are building around 4x All-Star Arike Ogunbowale. Players like Smith and Hines-Allen should help raise scoring, while bringing in Carrington, last year’s Most Improved Player, and a member of the All-Defensive First Team, should bolster the defense. With Bueckers, the top pick, joining the team, the Wings’ chance of improvement looks strong if she meets the hype.
No. 10: The Chicago Sky – The Sky missed the playoffs last year and likely aim for a low seed this season. They lost two of their starters in Allen and DeShields, and did not re-sign their leading scorer in Carter. However, with the addition of veteran point guard Vandersloot, the sophomore bigs, Reese and Cardoso, can further develop and enhance their scoring capabilities. With rookie guard Ban Lith joining the backcourt, new head coach Tyler Marsh has promising talent to work with, although the team could struggle without a clear top scorer.
No. 11: The Washington Mystics – The Mystics were strangely quiet in the offseason after missing the playoffs by one game. The team has veteran talent in Sykes and Atkins, and after a successful Unrivaled season, sophomore Edwards is likely to be asked to take on a bigger role. Washington had three first-round picks, choosing top prospects in Citron (3), Iriafen (4), and Ammore (6). As a young team, the Mystics are likely to start the season slowly as they develop.
No. 12: The Connecticut Sun – After ending the 2024 season as the third seed, the Sun face a tough road. They became the first team in WNBA history to lose their entire starting five in a singular offseason. Their head coach, Stephanie White, and their best remaining player, Mabery, also want out. On the positive side, they signed prolific defender Cloud, added DeShields, and drafted top prospects Morrow and Rivers. But given all the moving pieces and loss of established talent, the Sun might want to start planning for 2026 now.
No. 13: The Golden State Valkyrie – As a first-year expansion team, it seems inevitable that the Valkyrie will struggle. They picked up some solid players in the expansion draft, including Martin, Vanloo, and Thornton. In free agency, they also picked up Hayes, the reigning Sixth Woman of the Year from the Aces, reuniting her with former Aces assistant and current Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase. While this will be an interesting team to watch, being the first expansion team since 2008, it may take some time for them to find their footing.
