Photo courtesy of Hannah Foley ’23
The 2023 WNBA season is set to tip off on May 19 with 12 teams from across the country vying for a championship. In a packed off-season, there have been many changes to players, teams, and coaching staffs. After a record-setting March Madness tournament, there are plenty of new fans looking to find their team, so here are the previews of all 12 teams before the season starts.
Atlanta Dream: A bright rookie class and some key free agency grabs have made second-year head coach Tanisha Wright’s team exciting to watch this year. 2022 Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard is back and is joined by her former U.S. youth national team teammate Haley Jones in what is sure to be insane on-court chemistry. However, while the team has talent, nine of the 14 players have spent three years or less in the league. Combine that with roughly half the team joining the organization this off-season, and I doubt we will see the Dream hoisting a trophy at the end of the year, but give them a few years and they will be a strong contender.
Chicago Sky: The 2021 Champions lost some key players in the off-season including Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, and Azurá Stevens. They make up some of the star power with the additions of Courtney Williams, Isabelle Harris, and Elizabeth Williams, but there is no doubt that head coach James Wade will have his hands full attempting to put together a championship contender. The Sky may take one of the last spots to make the playoffs, but I don’t expect them to make it past the first round.
Connecticut Sun: Our hometown team has had a busy off-season with hiring almost an entirely new coaching staff, including Head Coach Stephanie White, and signing new players to replace those who left in the off-season. However, even with losing some big names, the Sun retained Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones. With those two on the roster, you can never count the Sun out. At the very least, I expect the Sun will make the playoffs at least, if not a deeper run. They’re easily a contender for a championship, though not a favorite amongst many.
Dallas Wings: The Wings have had the most movement in the off-season, losing 5 players but signing some big names, including Natasha Howard, Crystal Dangerfield, Diamond DeShields, and Kitija Laksa. They also had FIVE draft picks, including three first-rounders. The Wings have been building their program for many years, mainly around their all-star, Arike Ogunbowale. I don’t think we should expect a championship from the Wings this year, but they will definitely make a splash. I expect a strong playoff run, but they won’t get past the second round this year.
Indiana Fever: In a very similar boat as the Wings, the Fever also drafted five rookies in the draft, as well as signed two players to replace two players who signed elsewhere. However, the biggest storyline for the Fever is their number 1 draft pick: Aliyah Boston. Boston has too many awards to count, but includes a National Championship, several All-American awards, and both a Player of the Year and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. She is expected to make a big impact in the league, especially for a team like Indiana who have been through several coaches in the past few years as they try to find the right combination to return to the championship. They won’t be champions this year, but give the organization a year or two and they’ll be jockeying for a top spot.
Las Vegas Aces: One of two “super teams” this season, the 2022 Champions are looking to repeat with the addition of Candace Parker and Alysha Clark. Although they only had one draft pick, the Aces didn’t need any new players to be powerful contenders for a repeat. In addition to being a powerhouse team, the Aces also built a brand new practice facility, the first dedicated solely to a WNBA team. With a starting five of A’ja Wilson, Parker, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young, I expect this team to be tough to beat, and it would surprise no one if they cut down nets again this year.
Los Angeles Sparks: A former dynasty, the Sparks have been working the last few years to rebuild a championship-contending team. Newly signed head coach Curt Miller took his former team deep into the playoffs the last few year, and the Sparks expect the same results. Unfortunately for them, they are still a little ways away. Although acquiring several really good players in the off-season, the Sparks haven’t had the time to learn how to play together or play under their new head coach. However, if they can get their chemistry flowing early, they could surprise many with a playoff run due to the many years of experience between the veteran players and solid fundamentals across all the players. I won’t be surprised if the Sparks send out a few shocks this season.
Minnesota Lynx: In the wake of the retirement of Sylvia Fowles (and an official announcement from Maya Moore), the Lynx are going to be rebuilding this year. Developing their rookies, especially their number 2 draft pick, Diamond Miller, will be the focus for the Lynx this year, with the hopes that they can return to the top of the pack soon. I don’t expect a deep playoff run this year, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they made it to the first round just based on the pure talent on the team.
New York Liberty: This is the season the Liberty has been waiting for since the team’s inception. After putting together a “super team” in the off-season by signing Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Courtney Vandersloot to the existing all-star duo of Betnijah Laney and Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty are expecting a championship this season, and they have a really good shot at it. The only predictable hiccup would be the team has no experience playing together or for Coach Sandy Brondello. However, this is a team of veterans who shouldn’t have any problem adapting to the new team. The Liberty is my pick to win the championship this year.
Phoenix Mercury: With Brittney Griner back on the court, Mercury fans are hoping to have a more consistent season this year. Not a ton to comment on here. There were a few trades, but the main storylines are that Griner is back and this might be Diana Turasi’s last season before retiring as one of the most prolific scorers ever. I don’t expect the Mercury to do very well this year, but it will be great to see Griner back on the court.
Seattle Storm: In the post-Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart era, the Storm will be rebuilding this year. The team lost nine players during the off-season via trades, free agency, or retirement. There are still plenty of reasons for Storm fans to be excited about the season, especially with so many new players to watch, but they won’t be a serious contender for a championship this year.
Washington Mystics: The Mystics are not on many people’s championship contender lists, but they are on mine. With a healthy Elena Delle Donne, the return of Kristi Toliver, and the addition of Brittney Sykes and Amanda Zahui B., the Mystics will be tough to beat in any playoff series with how consistent I expect them to be. However, newly-minted head coach Eric Thibault could take some time to get used to the new position. He has been groomed for this job, coaching under his dad, former head coach Mike Thibault, but you never know how things will work out until the season gets going. Despite new leadership though, the Mystics have a very solid chance at not only making the playoffs, but knocking off some big names on their way to the championship.
