The 2024 WNBA season kicks off on Tuesday, May 14. The league will showcase the top overall draft pick, Caitlin Clark, facing Alyssa Thomas and the Connecticut Sun (7:30 pm on ESPN2). The later game will feature the two-time defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces, against Diana Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury (10 pm). The other two games on the opening night schedule, New York at Washington (7 pm) and the Storm hosting the Lynx (10 pm), will be available on ESPN+.
How are all 12 teams looking heading into the 2024 season? Who’s not making the playoffs this season? And are the Aces still the favorite to win the championship again? Here’s a prediction on where each team will finish as well as picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year, and much more.
1. Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas returns their core that has won them back-to-back titles. They added depth through the draft with Dyashia Fair and Kate Martin while adding Megan Gustafson in free agency. The Aces’ losses from last season are Candace Parker (retired) and Cayla George (overseas). Las Vegas has all of the necessary pieces to run it back again.
2. New York Liberty
The Liberty fell short of winning their first title last season in the Finals to the Aces (3 games to 1). New York brought back their entire starting line-up, plus Kayla Thornton and Nyara Sabally. The Liberty needed some depth on their bench and they were able to add Kennedy Burke, Leonie Fiebich, and Ivana Dojkić in free agency.
Lastly, their first-round draft pick, Marquesha Davis, is expected to see significant minutes off of the bench. Not returning from last season are Han Xu (overseas), Marine Johannès, and Jocelyn Willoughby.
3. Seattle Storm
The Storm made the biggest moves in free agency by adding in Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Victoria Vivians. Seattle’s core bench players from 2023 are also returning and they added Nika Mühl in the draft. Does Seattle have a new superteam to contend for a championship this season? There are a lot of new pieces in the Emerald City but they are clearly much improved and a potential darkhorse to win this season.
4. Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota has added a lot of new pieces in the off-season. First, the Lynx added Alanna Smith, Courtney Williams, and Natisha Hiedeman during free agency. Additionally, Cecilia Zandalasini is returning to the Lynx and they also added Alissa Pili via the draft. This could see the Lynx make a run in the playoffs now that they have a solid guard rotation and a much deeper bench.
5. Connecticut Sun
The Sun returned most of their core group for last year. Tiffany Hayes has retired and Hiedeman is now in Minnesota. Newly added are: Moriah Jefferson, Tiffany Mitchell, Rachel Banham, Astou Ndour-Fall, and Queen Egbo. The Sun needed youth on this roster and they acquired the necessary players through free agency. However, no draft picks from 2024 or 2023 are on the Sun’s roster (Leïla Lacan is sitting out this season).
6. Atlanta Dream
Atlanta made the needed improvements this off-season by signing Tina Charles and Aerial Powers and acquiring Jordin Canada and Crystal Dangerfield via trades. The Dream now have some depth off of their bench. However, Canada is expected to miss the beginning of the WNBA season due to a hand injury. Second-year guard, Haley Jones, will be required to run the floor more often this season. Finally, due to overseas commitments, none of Atlanta’s 2024 draft picks will be available this season.
7. Dallas Wings
Dallas was able to retain the majority of their 2023 roster for the season. Additionally, 2023 draft picks Lou Lopez Sénéchal and Stephanie Soares will see their debuts this season. Also, Jacy Sheldon was added through the draft to give them a defensive guard off of the bench. However, Satou Sabally is expected to miss the season’s first half due to shoulder surgery this off-season.
The Wings’ MVP missing half of the season could be a major factor in where Dallas ends up come the WNBA playoffs. Also, Dallas traded Dangerfield, waived Veronica Burton, and didn’t re-sign Odyssey Sims, leaving them a major hole at point guard.
8. Indiana Fever
The Clark-Aliyah Boston era is underway in Indianapolis. During free agency, Indiana also added several new pieces with Katie Lou Samuelson, Temi Fagbenle, and Damiris Dantas. The Fever finally has a deep roster and a strong starting line-up. This is still a fairly young team with the majority of their roster having 3 years of experience or less. A young, energetic team that may cause some trouble this WNBA season and sneak into the playoffs.
9. Chicago Sky
The Sky went through a huge turnover this off-season. Kahleah Copper was traded to Phoenix, while Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith signed with Minnesota. The Sky brought in Chennedy Carter, Lindsay Allen, Diamond DeShields, Brianna Turner, and Michaela Onyenwere. Additionally, Chicago added Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, and Brynna Maxwell in the draft. That’s a lot of new, young pieces for new head coach Teresa Weatherspoon to work around.
10. Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury only added a few pieces in the WNBA free agency with Natasha Cloud, Kahleah Copper, and Rebecca Allen. Brittney Griner is dealing with a foot injury to start the season and her timetable to return is unknown. At the moment, the Mercury’s bench is looking quite thin. Both of the Mercury’s third-round draft picks were waived before the May 13 deadline. I’m not sure this Phoenix Mercury roster can win enough games to slide them into the playoffs for what might be Taurasi’s final season.
11. Washington Mystics
The Mystics return only five players from their 2023 roster. Furthermore, Elena Delle Donne is sitting out this season while Washington’s bench is nearly completely revamped. New additions include Stefanie Dolson, Karlie Samuelson, Didi Richards, Jade Melbourne (via trade), and their first-round pick, Aaliyah Edwards. There are a lot of questions surrounding their new bench, but Mike Thibault recently stated he wants to “acquire young players” in their rebuild.
12. Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks are facing the biggest rebuild of any team in the league. (Nneka) Ogwumike left for Seattle, Chiney Ogwumike is sitting out the season, Canada was traded to Atlanta, Karlie Samuelson went to Washington, and Katie Lou Samuelson signed with Indiana. Additionally, Julie Allemand and Azurá Stevens will miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season due to injuries.
Los Angeles was fortunate in the draft to land Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson while acquiring Kia Nurse and Aari McDonald in free agency. There are a lot of new pieces on this roster for head coach Curt Miller to figure out.
Playoffs
FIRST ROUND
- #1. Las Vegas Aces def. #8. Indiana Fever, 2 games to 0
- #2. New York Liberty def. #7 Dallas Wings, 2 games to 0
- #3. Seattle Storm def. #6. Atlanta Dream, 2 games to 0
- #4. Minnesota Lynx def. #5. Connecticut Sun, 2 games to 1
SEMIFINALS
- #1. Las Vegas def. #4. Minnesota, 2 games to 1
- #2. New York def. #3. Seattle, 2 games to 1
WNBA FINALS
- #1. Las Vegas def. #2. New York, 3 games to 2
AWARDS
- MVP: A’ja Wilson
- Rookie of the Year: Caitlin Clark
- Defensive Player: A’ja Wilson
- Most Improved: Diamond Miller
- 6th Woman: DiJonai Carrington
- Coach of the Year: Becky Hammon
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