With the Unrivaled League coming to a close and the WNBA season approaching, the Minnesota Lynx are looking to continue the high level of play that saw them in the semifinals last season, where they ultimately lost to the Phoenix Mercury.
With a slew of injuries and overall shakeup due to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and the WNBPA, the Lynx will have to work hard to return to their regular-season greatness.
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Which five players will step up the most to help the Lynx return to their winning ways?
Starting with more of a projection than a definitive star player for the team, Juhász sat out all of last season because she overworked herself playing year-round, but she will presumably return to form in 2026. The UConn product was productive in her two seasons with the Lynx prior to her hiatus, averaging 6.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in 38 games during her rookie season.
Juhász projects to be the tallest on the team, at 6-foot-5, and will be a force down low with two other members of this list. She dominated the FIBA Women’s World Cup this year as well, with big stat lines against Argentina, Turkey and Japan.
Juhász was one of the better rebounders when she was in college, averaging 11.1 RPG in her final season at Ohio State and 9.9 RPG in her final collegiate season. The Lynx ranked middle-of-the-road among the league for total team rebounds, so they could use Juhász’s ability in the paint this upcoming season.
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It will be interesting to see if the Lynx protect Juhász when the WNBA expansion draft happens on April 3, but if they do, she will likely be the team’s starting center. If she can replicate even some of the statlines from the Women’s World Cup, she projects to have a dominant fourth season, one which the Lynx will really need.
One of the longer-tenured players on the Lynx roster, McBride has been very productive in her five years in Minnesota. One of the league’s best three-point shooters, McBride shot over 40% in 2024, en route to her fourth All-Star game appearance and a top 15 finish in MVP voting.
She has been a pivotal cog in a lot of great Lynx teams, and ever since landing in Las Vegas in 2018, she has been one of the winningest players in the league — she’s just missing that elusive title.
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So far in her career, McBride is a five-time All-Star, a member of the All-Rookie team and placed third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2014. The 33-year-old will turn 34 early this upcoming season, meaning her time on the court isn’t going to last much longer. But, she has proven enough in her career so far and in her time with the Lynx for her to be a protected player in the expansion draft.
Provided they decide to keep McBride, expect a lot of the same from her: good three-point shooting, consistent scoring in double-figures and the ability to take over games on limited dribbles. There are truly times she’s the best player on the court for the Lynx, making her a valuable asset to any good team.
Speaking of court, one half of the notorious ‘Stud Budz‘ projects to be a top player for the Lynx once again. Courtney Williams, the Lynx de facto point guard and All-Star talent from last season will undoubtedly be protected in the expansion draft.
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The 31-year-old has made her way around the league in her 11 years, but has seemingly found a home in Minnesota. In two seasons with the Lynx so far, Williams has averaged double figures in points and over five assists each season, and placed fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, losing to a teammate of hers.
Williams is one of the realest players in the league. She will come down the court and either splash a three or run the pick and roll to perfection, and then clamp up the opponents best guard on defense. She is outspoken, especially when surrounded by teammate and fellow Stud Bud Natisha Hiedeman, and has one of the best attitudes in the league, making her an infectious player on and off the court.
This upcoming season, expect her to elevate her play on all ends, and continue the high-level defense that had her 11th among all players in defensive rating last season.
Agurably the best player on the Lynx last season due to a lot of different injuries, Alanna Smith had the best season of her career, averaging nearly 10 points and over five rebounds per game en route to a Co-Defensive Player of the Year award with the Aces A’ja Wilson.
Smith, a first-round pick by the Mercury back in 2019, has elevated her play every year of her career, by far having her best seasons in Minnesota. She, alongside Wilson, finished second and first respectively in defensive rating alongside many of her teammates, showing how dominant the Lynx are on both ends of the ball.
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Her sheer defensive presence makes her one of the scariest players in the league, even with her limited offensive game.
Just like Juhász, Smith has been playing great basketball in the FIBA Women’s World Cup, highlighted by 18 points and 10 rebounds in a crucial win over Turkey. She has been very busy during this offseason, as she also competed in the Unrivaled league where she finished as a champion with the Mist.
Even if she’s unable to continue the high level of play that she’s displayed this offseason, her defense and presence in the paint make her one of the most valuable assets on the roster.
Was there any doubt who would top this list? Napheesa Collier, the former Defensive Player Of The Year, is not only the Lynx franchise player but one of the best players in the league.
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Outside of Wilson, there isn’t really anyone else in the WNBA that compares to Collier. Her mix of elite defense and scoring ability make a fun player to watch and an easy player to build around. Collier was on her way to her first MVP award if it weren’t for an ankle injury that saw her sit out three weeks towards the end of last season, ruining her odds.
On top of the ankle injury, Collier had to get surgery on both ankles following a collision with Alyssa Thomas in the playoffs, giving her no timetable for return.
The UConn product has elevated her play every year of her career, and will likely be back on the court early in the season. With a major injury like the one she sustained, it remains to be seen if she will return to form.
But, if she can, the league will need to be on lookout, as she is coming for vengeance.
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The post Who Will Be the Five Best Minnesota Lynx Players This Season? appeared first on The Lead.
