EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlanta Dream
The Dream rebounded from last season with a monster off-season trade for Chicago Sky star Angel Reese. Combine the Bayou Barbie with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray and the A could go all the way. Especially with an Angel being a nightmare for opponents on the boards. The internet trolling needs to be squashed as much as the beef with Caitlin Clark. Basketball is better than all that. As soon as Reese pieces it all together and works on her me-buckets, the ATL has a shot.
A glut of rookies led by Madina Okot (the 13th pick) join more in reserve with pick-up Brionna Jones and Naz Hillmon looking to make that climb. But you know when it comes to Atlanta, we just love Jordin Canada. One major move and more rehires than a company doing the business, welcome back to Atlanta. Let’s sing it like the new anthem from Jermaine Dupri and Cee-Lo Green. This city is magic again. Just don’t tell the Atlanta Hawks’ Luke Kornet.
Chicago Sky
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On the other hand, or state, an Angel may have fell from the Sky, but Chicago still have hope. What fifth pick Gabriela Jaquez (sister of the Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr.) did in the NCAA finals for UCLA was inspired. “All Gas” and no breaks from Gab. Chi-city’s sisterhood may be a long way from the 2021 championship (that coming out of COVID time seems like a lifetime ago now) led by Candace Parker, who’s about to take to the Hall, but at least Courtney Vandersloot is back from an injury that spoilt her comeback campaign last year.
Adding superstar Skylar Diggins from Seattle, and one to be in super sophomore Rickea Jackson, are major moves. As is getting Azura Stevens back from the Sparks. Jackson was all action in LA during Cameron Brink’s absence. Despite sharing the floor with a couple of former Aces (Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby). Last year’s top ten pick Ajsa Sivka is ready to go, too. Ariel Atkins is gone, mind you, and Chicago Sun-Times legend Scoop Jackson is not convinced. But that’s what happens when you have to put up with Bulls and Bears.
Connecticut Sun
How close do the Sun have to come before they make it? They have continued to exceed expectations in a league that expects great. This Spring off-season, mind you, they’ve dropped most of their stars that had them flying close. Say goodbye to DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones and DiJonai Carrington. The desert is looking dry.
Yet, Connecticut did connect with one of the biggest names and players in the league in Brittney Griner. After Atlanta and her tenured time with the Phoenix Mercury. This year will decide whether she will become the player she was before that awful imprisonment in Russia, or a valuable veteran whose glory days still echo. There’s help (Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Kennedy Burke, Saniya Rivers), but the future hinges on what the latest talent from France, rookie Nell Angloma, can do.
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Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever came thermometer needle-line close last year. And they did that with face of the league Caitlin Clark on the bench like Luka for the Lakers. Pacers brother Tyrese Haliburton knows that type of pain, but the hub remains (most notably Myisha Hines-Allen and Sophie Cunningham). When it comes to basketball, the team, and the state of it, is Boston big. Aliyah Boston big, who was the talk of this town until CC was added to the group chat.
Rookie Raven Johnson and supermax star Kelsey Mitchell join a squad so set, even bucket getter Odyssey Sims could only get a training camp invite (Lexie Hull made it though). That’s so like the Fever that even took Monique Billings off the expansion Valkyries. Everyone wants to race with the Indy team guaranteed to be above .500. But the Aces are still holding all the cards, and the Liberty haven’t passed the torch…yet.
New York Liberty
From champions to first-round knockouts is nothing to sniff at. Just call it a whiff. New York sports teams are famous like the Yankees, and these Liberty women are no Mets. They gave the city its first basketball championship since players that dressed like pimps and Black Jesus were running the Big Apple. Last season took a turn for Knickerbocker luck, but the glory is still in sight for a team with only a slight scuff on its crown. Although what’s up with not bringing back Natasha Cloud?
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You’re not going to bet against a team with a big-three of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones. Especially when they play super-team superstar pick-up with the Aces. Nabbing Satou Sabally from Phoenix in a revenge move against the Mercury team that showed them the K.O. like ‘Tekken’. Rebecca Allen, Leonie Fiebich, Marine Johannes and Han Xu complete a core that gives them so much more. And with Bethnijah Laney-Hamilton back, all bets are off for the Aces.
Toronto Tempo
Canada, your new WNBA franchise is ready to play. Following the expansion Golden State Valkyries (who did better than expected) and joining the return of the old Portland Fire. Even if, like Golden State, their logo and uniforms look like something straight out a custom Converse catalogue (nothing wrong with that though), the temperature of the Toronto Tempo is set to grow on you like those baby dinos that came to the city thirty years ago.
With the sixth pick, Kiki Rice, out of UCLA, The 6 beat out Portland (seventh) and Golden State (eighth) in the actual draft. When it came to the expansion one, the Tempo went shopping. Picking up Marina Mabrey (and then later, adding her sister Dara), Satou Sabally’s younger sister Nyara and Nikolina Milic, to name just a few. Then they acquired free agents like Julie Allemand and defensive dog Brittney ‘Slim’ Sykes. Yet the best move has to be for Canada’s own Kia Nurse. Now, that’s CN Tower big for the T-Dot.
Washington Mystics
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Whilst the Washington Wizards wonder if Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Alex Sarr will be the future of their franchise, the Mystics know they have magic on their hands that could take them back to the days of September Hall of Famer to be Elena Delle Donne. They cast a spell in the draft by banking on NCAA champion Lauren Betts with a steal at fourth. Then they swung a draft day trade with the Seattle Storm for Lauren’s UCLA alumnus teammate Angela Dugalić with the ninth pick.
In the middle Shakira Austin is a frontcourt force in herself. And alongside Betts you know who you’re rolling with. Sonia Citron moves like the car her second name sounds like and Kiki Iriafen at forward runs with numbers that could increase to an average of 15 and 10 this season. It seems like ball players in the US capital are taller than the Lincoln Memorial. There is hope across the Mall going into the next campaign.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Here comes the Fire
Dallas Wings
The Wings are cooking out in Dallas, whilst the Flagg flying Mavericks are still licking their wounds from certain moves. The talk of the Texan town is on Dallas doing the double, like an A1 Indiana with Boston and Clark, as consecutive number one draft picks changing the face of the franchise’s future. Last season the Dallas Wings selected Paige Bueckers as the next great point guard and this year they’ve just drafted UConn superstar Azzi Fudd. Truly hitting the lottery. Rumour also has a romantic interest on the cards for tabloid gossip. But that’s Fudd and Bueckers’ business. Not ours.
Adding sauce to the Wings are Amy Okonkwo, Odyssey Sims, Maddy Siegrist and Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith. Also expect the likes of Li Yueru and Grace Berger to make that jump. This is still Arike Ogunbowale’s team, but a changing of the guard is definitely happening in Texas. They only lost two players in the Spring, cleaned up by the Portland Fire’s expansion pack, but if the Wings want to spread themselves, and not thinner, it’s time to get bigger.
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Golden State Valkyries
Expansion teams aren’t meant to be this good out of the gate. Yet the Golden State Valkyries, led by reigning Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase, had a Jordan like 23 regular-season wins. Setting a single-season WNBA record for an expansion team, not to mention the first-ever playoff berth for an expansion franchise in its inaugural season. The Fire and Tempo will look to match these battle tested warriors in their own rookie seasons.
Led by a balanced attack, as all things should be, of Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton. These heroes have depth with Janelle Salaun and Cecilia Zandalasini putting up digits across the box-score. Losing Monique Billings was tough, but picking up Gabby Williams, and those memories of how much heart she had for France in the Gold medal game of the Paris Olympics, was smart as Seattle continues to shed stars from last year’s experiment. These Valkyries, with a lightning bolt struck, sharpened sword, are riding a horse with wings all the way to the clouds.
Las Vegas Aces
Before the pink, there was silver hair like X-Men’s Storm for Las Vegas Aces and the WNBA as a whole’s best player, A’ja Wilson. This year, for the reigning champion, regular-season and finals MVP and Co-Defensive Player of the Year (with Alanna Smith of the Dallas Wings), it’s Jean Grey red. Proving she really is the Phoenix with more styles than Jimmy Butler on media day. Her Miami heat boyfriend Bam Adebayo recently surpassed Kobe’s point-total with 83 points, behind only Wilt Chamberlain. Guess who could make a mark like that in the W?
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Elsewhere, after bringing out the brooms, Becky Hammon’s women, back on the throne, boast a wealth of talent to match their trophy cabinet. Jackie Young (with her own sweet style) and the Gawd and the Gold of Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd respectively. The real wild-card, x-factor that could take the Aces back to the table lies with former out of favour player Chennedy Carter. She used to be a plug for the Sparks and was put on an exhibition as the Vegas Aces hosted Japan’s national team. Rise like the sun.
Los Angeles Sparks
In 30 years of the W, Los Angeles remains a legacy team with the legendary likes of Lisa Leslie and this year’s Hall of Famer Candace Parker hoisting championships to the rafters, alongside their jerseys. You can bank on Nneka Ogwumike’s number three being up there one day, too. And now one of the most decorated Sparks greats is back in the city of stars. It was always just “see you later”, like the WNBPA President’s Instagram Hollywood sign homecoming announcement. Also returning is the flame-thrower of Erica Wheeler to the wheelhouse.
Was this what Kelsey Plum had in mind when she declined the supermax extension so the Sparks could sign more big players? She’s back with fellow former Vegas star Dearica Hamby. Although they’ll need a few more in the hole to take the Aces. Especially with the Wings spreading, as they refuse to be like Dallas and LA in the NBA. Signing Ariel Atkins gives Hollywood a steady diet with Rae Burrell back. But losing the amazing Azura Stevens and sophomore sensation Rickea Jackson is a killer. It all depends on the health and growth of big Cameron Brink. If it’s her year, it’s LA’s.
Minnesota Lynx
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For the three-decade mark, the Minnesota Lynx want to return to those Maya Moore and company days of champagne. They’ve done this by giving Napheesa Collier the supermax deal. With averages of 22.9 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per and 3.2 APG, Collier may just be the best Lynx player built since Moore. Being outspoken against commissioner Cathy Engelbert might make her the next WNBPA President once Sparks rival (oh, it’s back on) Nneka Ogwumike calls it a career and term.
Losing Alanna Smith, who shared DPOY honours with MVP and champion A’ja Wilson sucks for a team that was just getting used to the retirement of Sylvia Fowles. The expansion draft picked them apart more, but seasoned vet Kayla McBride and bucket getter Courtney Williams are back. Although Courtney’s SLAM cover ‘StudBudz’ partner Natisha Hiedeman is now in Seattle. Never mind, Natasha Howard has signed on and their second pick in the draft, via Chicago, Olivia Miles is set to take them sky high. These princesses won’t let the elevator bring them down. Oh no, let’s go!
Phoenix Mercury
You’ve just got to feel sorry for the Mercury. After getting swept by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA Finals, they just lost their star player, Satou Sabally to the Liberty. Here’s guessing there isn’t justice for all. Then again, it’s all about how you look at it. The Mercury, like a Phoenix, of course, rose all the way to the finals one year removed from the end of their GOAT era. Losing not only Diana Taurasi to retirement. But superstar Brittney Griner, returning from all that happened in Russia and former poster-star Skylar Diggins.
Sabally, Maryland’s Alyssa Thomas and Chicago champion Kahleah Copper took them there, and two out of three aren’t bad. Sami Whitcomb and DeWanna Bonner bolster the roster and this season, Natasha Mack could bring even more. Let’s hope South Korean rookie Lee Seul Kang can do for basketball what her country does for film, drama and pop music. The Phoenix Mercury don’t want to come close but no cigar like the Phoenix Suns. They want to be more like the Connecticut Sun with a light ahead.
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Portland Fire
The second of two expansion franchises to follow in the sneaker steps of last year’s Golden State Valkyries’ success story might not move (we) the north quite like the Tempo out in Toronto, but the Portland Fire are setting their own Oregon city alight. Originally RIP City wanted to call this new team, “Rose City Royalty” (nice) until the commish put the nix on this like a Chris Paul trade to the Lakers (not so). That being said, the Portland Fire brings legacy to the WNBA’s 30th anniversary. As this franchise played in the W back in the early 2000s.
Expansion drafts don’t always yield much, especially two in the same off-season, following another a year prior. Yet the Fire didn’t come up with just the remnants of slim pickings. They have Haley Jones, Carla Leite, Maya Caldwell, the Fever’s Chloe Bibby (no relation to Mike) and Katie Lou sister sharpshooter Karlie Samuelson. Not to mention Canadian Bridget Carleton. The future lies in the draft though, with Spain’s Iyana Martín Carrión being the seventh seal.
Seattle Storm
When it rains it pours. Seattle have gone from a reigning super-team to a light drizzle. If you though losing GOAT Sue Bird to the rafters and big Breanna Stewart to the statue of Liberty was bad. Not to mention the Aces taking their Gold Mamba. Then how about this? In the same off-season the Storm have weathered the losses of Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Erica Wheeler and Brittney Sykes. Meanwhile Stefanie Dolson has gone from winning Tokyo Olympic gold at 3×3 to averaging 3.7 points per game. She deserves more. No parasol can stop that downpour. But are the Storm this year’s Phoenix rise?
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Well, maybe the rain is just being replace by the wind for this changing weather, because look what the draft blew in. Spain seems to be a source for the WNBA, like France is for their basketball brotherhood in the National Basketball Association, right now.
Not only have Seattle selected Awa Fam Thiam, from Valencia Basket, via a draft night trade with the LA Sparks for Ogwumike. They’ve also taken Duke’s Taina Mair from the LV Aces’ number fourteen draft choice.
Minnesota’s Natisha Hiedeman. And a couple of former Sparks sharpshooters in Zia Cooke, Lexie Brown and Katie Lou Samuelson. With LSU rookie (8th overall) Flau’jae Johnson, the J’s could flow like water. But this green team would need Celtic Jaylen Brown (not just Jalyn and Jaelyn Brown) in order to really reign again.