Pros and Consequences

An expansion team. Eight new head coaches. Key player movement during the free agency. Some WNBA draft surprises. A brutal pre-season, which saw some of our favorite players get waived. 13 teams looking for a championship. What could possibly go wrong?! Oh yeah, there’s still a trade deadline we haven’t reached yet, so let’s try to make sense of the chaos before the regular season play begins.

Atlanta Dream

Rhyne Howard wants to win, and picking up a healthy and lean Brittney Griner and Brianna Jones is definitely a step in that direction. They’re both incredible under the basket and can stretch the floor. I’m very happy they kept Te-Hina Paopao; she was great in the pre-season. But good grief, get them in an actual stadium. Hopefully, Jordin Canada will be back on the court soon after a knee injury.

Chicago Sky

Chicago wanted that old thang back, and Courtney Vandersloot has not disappointed. She’s the “floor general” for a reason, and the ball movement on offense was singing in their preseason games when she was on the floor. The starting 5 looks great together, and they have a solid bench to help keep the momentum going. Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso had a fruitful offseason developing their unique skillset, so I think they’re spacing is going to continue to gel. All this and an all Black coaching staff? Yes please.

Connecticut Sun

They gutted my team. A new head coach and a new starting 5. Even Marina Mabrey tried to leave. I’m happy with the veterans mixing with the younger players like Jaycee Sheldon and Aneesa Morrow. Overall, I still like many of the players who made the roster, but many of them simply haven’t played together for very long outside of the 3 pickups from Chicago. I like that Lindsey Allen is starting. I like that Aneesa Morrow will be able to learn from Tina Charles. But overall, I’m not sure the fighting spirit the franchise is known for will be able to carry them to the playoffs, let alone their first championship title. This could be a different story in a few years, once the franchise is sold to new ownership that could provide better practice facilities and a bigger home arena.

Dallas Wings

One of the teams I’m most excited for. Dijonai Carrington and Ty Harris have found a good home with a coach and general manager they have extensive and positive experience with. The starting 5 is singing and already making an identity for themselves - defense leading to offense and tons of ball movement. They even kept two incredible rookies that I’m excited to see get some playtime this season, in addition to Paige of course.

Golden State Valkyries

They’re taking their lumps early. They didn’t keep any of their drafted rookies and waived Toure and Amihere after incredible performances during the pre-season. In the court of public opinion, they’re already starting from behind. They have lived up to Kate Martin’s characterization of them as “killers,” a team that works hard and never gives up on a play. I don’t see them making the playoffs, but I’m happy to see Monique Billings getting the playtime in the starting lineup.

Indiana Fever

Bringing back Coach Stephanie White and ex-Fever player Natasha Howard is one thing. Bringing in Dewanna Bonner and Sydney Colson is a whole other thing. Given that Dewanna Bonner is on the team, I would like to see them play better together, to be honest. I still have some concerns defensively. I still think one of their starting players could be more efficient. Kelsey Mitchell is by far the most efficient playmaker on the team right now next to Dewanna Bonner. I can’t count them out, because of Stephanie White and Dewanna Bonner, but I can’t give them my full nod of confidence. I think they made the right moves in the offseason, now it’s just time to see if they execute. Yes, it was hard to see them waive Bree Hall.

Las Vegas Aces

Now that they’ve felt the sting of failing to 3-peat, I think they’re returning with some renewed energy. A’Ja looks well-rested, Jewell Lloyd is fitting nicely in the starting lineup, and Chelsea Gray and Tiffany Mitchell seem to be ready for a full, healthy season. I have concerns over Megan Gustafson being out, and two of their veteran players’ ability to positively contribute to their game. Bench depth was their Achilles heel down the stretch, so let’s see if that changes this season. If their starters can’t adequately rest, that’s going to be a problem.

Los Angeles Sparks

I’m glad they signed Odyssey Sims to a 1 year contract. Outside of her and Kelsey Plum, they are a tall team. Tall teams are hard to defend, especially when many of the players can stretch the floor. Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby have reconnected and aren’t new to winning, so they bring something great to the floor and locker room. Rickea Jackson seems poised for a good season after her Unrivaled debut. But with a new coach and some loss of talent, I’m unsure how things are going to go for them.

Minnesota Lynx

I’m sad they waived Reigan Richardson, but I’m interested to see how they utilize Alissa Pili this season. We haven’t seen Kayla McBride in the preseason games, but it’s safe to say that after her Unrivaled season, she’s still up for the starting lineup task. They have most of their starting lineup back, and one of the top coaches in the league. I think they’ll be in rhythm soon as they start their revenge tour.

New York Liberty

They look poised to make a championship run. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton’s season-long injury spot is being filled by Natasha Cloud. So far, I’m liking the placement. Cloud comes with so much good energy and a championship title under her belt. Let’s see how they respond to the repeat pressure this year. They have all the parts in place to be a top contender (investment, partnerships, facilities, arena, mascot, and players).

Phoenix Mercury

I wasn’t aware how similar the temperaments of the big three were until I saw them on the court together. Very irreverent and unafraid of contact and tough buckets. I think that toughness will have to spread to the rest of the team, as there will be some gritty moments down the stretch. I like their new big three, I’m just not convinced they’ve had enough time to play together and establish a team identity. I’m concerned about injuries (namely Kahleah Copper) and bench depth. I also don’t think Nate Tibbetts coaches like he’s the highest-paid in the league. I would personally like to see Monique Makani or Celeste Taylor in the starting lineup up but we’ll see how things shake out over the season. It would be weird to say “playoffs” without Playoff AT, but the competition is stiff this year.

Seattle Storm

The only Black woman head coach has a really solid starting lineup. Ezi Magbagor is one of my favorite players to watch, and now Skylar Diggins and Nneka Ogwumike have a season of play under their belts. Gabby Williams is also back to start the season, so they won’t get hit with a post-All-Star break weathering period like they were last year. Alysha Clark returns to the franchise after some championship wins in Las Vegas. There’s also a lot of excitement around their French post-player, so I think she’ll give Ezi and Li some well-needed rest on the bench.

They’ve been suffering from some injuries. 3 of their players have ACL injuries and are out for the season. I’m concerned that Nika Muhl having two seasons with so few minutes is going to impact her ability to have a fruitful return. They are also going to severely miss Jordan Horston on defense.

They’re an older but experienced team, so I’m interested to see how they weather the storm (slight pun intended) of a longer regular season and longer playoff season.

Washington Mystics

I saved the closest WNBA team to me for last. Well, technically, they’re also last alphabetically, so it just worked out. The Mystics are a great team to watch. They’re a scrappy team, and that isn’t stopping now with all their new players. They don’t have a ton of vets with playoff experience, mainly Slim, who looks super healthy and ready to go, and Stefanie Dolson. As with last year, they’re going to be a hard team to beat, but not an immovable object. In 3 years time, I will likely be singing a different tune and fighting for tickets to see them in a bigger arena. I think Sonia Citron is going to make the All-Rookie Team.

Playoff predictions, in alphabetical order:

1. Atlanta Dream

2. Chicago Sky

3. Dallas Wings

4. Indiana Fever

5. Las Vegas Aces

6. Minnesota Lynx

7. New York Liberty

8. Seattle Storm

Wildcard: LA Sparks

(Unofficial) Post-season Contender Playbook:

• systems over scrappy

• identity stifles indecision

• ball movement + bench depth = winning season

All-Rookie Team Prediction:

1. Paige Bueckers

2. Sonia Citron

3. Te-Hina Paopao

4. Hailey Van-Lith

5. Dominique Malonga