Let the countdown to the 2026 WNBA season begin.
Eighteen months of marathon CBA negotiations culminated in a historic deal early March, and the resulting condensed WNBA offseason has been a sprint. Between the expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, free agency and the WNBA draft, some rosters look starkly different than last season. Others look much of the same.
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As the league’s 30th anniversary season rapidly approaches on May 8, USA TODAY Sports analyzed each roster and compiled its first WNBA Power ranking of the season:
1. Las Vegas Aces
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2025 record: 30-14 (WNBA Finals champions)
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Notable additions: Janiah Barker (draft), Chennedy Carter (free agency), Jordan Obi (draft), Stephanie Talbot (free agency), Brianna Turner (free agency)
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Key departures: Megan Gustafson (Portland Fire), Aaliyah Nye (Toronto Tempo), Kiah Stokes (Golden State Valkyries)
The defending champion Aces are the team to beat. Las Vegas retained its entire starting lineup from last year’s championship run and are in prime position to run it back. The franchise kept Big 3 of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, who are all got seven-figure deals under the new CBA after leading the Aces to three WNBA titles in four years. The big paydays, however, won’t sacrifice Las Vegas’ depth. The Aces re-signed Dana Evans and Jewell Loyd, who were key contributors off the bench last season, and added defensive specialist Brianna Turner and shooter Stephanie Talbot. Catch the Aces if you can.
2. New York Liberty
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2025 record: 27-17 (lost in first round of 2025 playoffs)
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Notable additions: Satou Sabally (free agency)
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Key departures: Kennedy Burke (Connecticut Sun), Isabelle Harrison (Toronto Tempo), Nyara Sabally (Toronto Tempo)
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The Liberty lost one Sabally, but gained another in the offseason. After Nyara Sabally was selected by the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft, New York landed her older sister Satou Sabally, one of the biggest names available in free agency. Satou Sabally will team up with the Liberty’s trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, who limped to the finish line last season due to injuries. Stewart, Ionescu, Jones and Sabally have a combined 19 WNBA All-Star nods. And it shouldn’t take long for Sabally to gel with her new teammates, as she played with Ionescu in Oregon. It remains to be seen if the Liberty re-sign Natasha Cloud, but first-year head coach Chris DeMarco will have plenty with which to work.
3. Atlanta Dream
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2025 record: 30-14 (lost in First Round of 2025 playoffs)
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Notable additions: Isobel Borlase (2024 draft), Madina Okot (draft), Angel Reese (trade)
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Key departures: Brittney Griner (Connecticut Sun)
The Dream kept their core players in free agency bringing back four starters (Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Bri Jones and Jordin Canada) and the 2025 Sixth Player of the Year (Naz Hillmon) as it pursues the franchise’s first championship. The Dream had franchise-best 30 wins and No. 3 seed in the playoffs last season and hope to build on that success. The Dream did lose veteran center Brittney Griner in free agency, but acquired Angel Reese, one of the WNBA’s best players (and rebounders), via trade. Adding Reese to the roster boosts Atlanta’s offensive profile and adds a strong defender to the Dream’s stacked roster. If Atlanta can get over the playoff hump, it has a great chance to make it to the WNBA Finals.
4. Indiana Fever
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2025 record: 24-20 (lost in the semifinals of 2025 WNBA Playoffs)
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Notable additions: Monique Billings (free agency), Tyasha Harris (free agency), Raven Johnson (draft)
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Key departures: Chloe Bibby (Portland Fire), Natasha Howard (Minnesota Lynx)
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Injuries were major storyline in Indiana last season. Caitlin Clark was limited to 13 games, yet the Fever were one win away from the team’s first WNBA Finals appearance since 2012. That was due in large part to Kelsey Mitchell, who took a big step last season and averaged a career high 20.2 points en route to a first-team All-WNBA selection. Indiana’s ceiling will again be contingent on the team’s health. Clark looked close to 100% for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she walked away with MVP honors. Aliyah Boston remains a steady presence and hasn’t missed a game in three seasons. The Fever re-signed Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham and added Monique Billings to its frontcourt. Indiana also added Ty Harris in free agency and drafted Raven Johnson for some much-needed guard depth (especially after last year).
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2025 record: 21-23 (missed the playoffs)
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Notable additions: Ariel Atkins (trade), Nneka Ogwumike (free agency), Erica Wheeler (free agency)
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Key departures: Julie Allemand (Toronto Tempo), Sarah Ashlee Barker (Portland Fire), Rickea Jackson (Chicago Sky), Azurá Stevens (Chicago Sky)
The Sparks are in a season of change after losing three starters (Rickea Jackson, Azurá Stevens and Julie Allemand) and several bench pieces during the offseason. However, they have remained committed to winning sooner rather than later by retaining veterans Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby. Los Angeles also made noteworthy moves in free agency by signing Nneka Ogwumike, who previously spent 12 seasons with the franchise, and Ariel Atkins, who came over in the Jackson trade. The Sparks might need some time to gel with the new starters and figure out what Cameron Brink’s role (after she started 15 games in 2024, but none last year after returning from injury). Still, they easily have one of the WNBA’s most intriguing lineups this season and could compete for a playoff spot.
6. Minnesota Lynx
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2025 record: 34-10 (lost in the semifinals of 2025 WNBA Playoffs)
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Notable additions: Natasha Howard (free agency), Olivia Miles (draft)
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Key departures: Bridget Carleton (Portland Fire), DiJonai Carrington (Chicago Sky), Natisha Hiedeman (Seattle Storm), Jessica Shepard (Dallas Wings), Alanna Smith (Dallas Wings)
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The Lynx took a major hit this offseason and lost key pieces − forwards Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton and Jessica Shepard − that contributed to Minnesota’s franchise-best record. The injury statuses of Naphessa Collier (ankles) and Kayla McBride (eardrum) are also unknown as season approaches. Minnesota added Natasha Howard to provide some size inside for the Lynx and picked up an elite passer in Olivia Miles in the draft. Still, the Lynx’s success will come down to Collier’s availability after she had surgery on both ankles.
7. Phoenix Mercury
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2025 record: 27-17 (swept in WNBA Finals)
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Notable additions: Valériane Ayayi (free agency)
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Key departures: Lexi Held (Toronto Tempo), Kitija Laksa (Toronto Tempo), Satou Sabally (New York Liberty)
The offseason was not kind to the Mercury. While Phoenix did retain several starters, including Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, it lost Satou Sabally. Phoenix spent two seasons pursuing Sabally and needed a three-team trade to complete the deal − and then had her for one season. The Mercury, who made it to the WNBA Finals last season, likely have an uphill battle getting back. The question becomes who will step up in Sabally’s absence and can they make it to the postseason without her? It wouldn’t be shocking to see the Mercury later attempt a midseason trade to help their chances.
8. Golden State Valkyries
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2025 record: 23-21 (lost in first round of 2025 playoffs)
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Notable additions: Kiah Stokes (free agency), Marta Suárez (draft), Gabby Williams (free agency)
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Key departures: Monique Billings (Indiana Fever), Carla Leite (Portland Fire)
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Golden State set a WNBA record for the most wins by an expansion team in its inaugural season, thanks to its one-two punch from Veronica Burton and Kayla Thornton. Thornton’s All-Star season was cut short due to a knee injury, but she’s set to return after working out with Team USA basketball in the offseason. Burton is also returning. They’ll be joined by defensive specialist Gabby Williams, who personifies the Valkyries’ brand of gritty basketball. Williams led the league in steals per game (2.3) and total steals (99) last season. The Valkyries traded Flau’jae Johnson (selected No. 8 overall) to the Seattle Storm for Marta Suarez (No. 16th), who led the Horned Frogs in 3-point shooting last season.
9. Chicago Sky
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2025 record: 10-34 (missed the playoffs)Notable additions: DiJonai Carrington (free agency), Skylar Diggins (free agency), Rickea Jackson (free agency), Gabriela Jaquez (draft), Jacy Sheldon (trade), Azurá Stevens (free agency)
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Key departures: Ariel Atkins (Los Angeles Sparks), Angel Reese (Atlanta Dream)
All signs pointed to a rebuild in Chicago following Angel Reese’s departure via trade. However, the Sky maintain they are in “win now mode” and made a splash in free agency with moves that elevate the struggling franchise into a possible contender. Adding veteran help from Skylar Diggins, Azurá Stevens (who won a title with the Sky in 2021) and DiJonai Carrington says Chicago plans to play fast on both ends of the floor. Getting Rickea Jackson in a trade and drafting Gabriela Jaquez indicates the Sky are banking on both to be glue players. It remains to be seen if the additions will work, but Chicago at least tried to remain competitive after significant turnover.
10. Dallas Wings
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2025 record: 10-34 (missed the playoffs)
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Notable additions: Alysha Clark (free agency), Azzi Fudd (draft), Jessica Shepard (free agency), Alanna Smith (free agency)
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Key departures: Tyasha Harris (Dallas Wings)
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Despite Paige Buecker’s stellar Rookie of the Year campaign, the Wings finished at the bottom of the standings. After allowing the second-most opponent points per game last season, the Wings made moves to shore up the interior with the addition of Alanna Smith, the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, and Jessica Shepard. Dallas selected Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick of the WNBA draft to add depth at the guard position alongside Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale. First-year head coach Jose Fernandez’s tenure is off to a good start.
11. Washington Mystics
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2025 record:16-28 (Missed the playoffs)
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Notable additions: Lauren Betts (draft), Angela Dugalić (draft), Rori Harmon (draft), Cotie McMahon (draft), Michaela Onyenwere (Chicago Sky)
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Key departures: Alysha Clark (Dallas Wings), Stefanie Dolson (Seattle Storm)
The Mystics have made it clear they are building their team through the draft. The team used six picks to have plenty of options when constructing a roster that will be viable for the future and mesh with veterans Shakira Austin, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron and Georgia Amoore. Washington managed to get UCLA teammates Lauren Betts and Angela Dugalić, plus Ole Miss star Cotie McMahon, in the first round. The Mystics then found great value by selecting Texas guard Rori Harmon in the third. There’s a high chance every draft pick won’t make the final roster, but Washington has set a solid foundation moving forward.
12. Toronto Tempo
Notable additions: Julie Allemand (expansion draft), Temi Fágbénlé (free agency), Isabelle Harrison (free agency), Lexi Held (expansion draft), Kitija Laksa (expansion draft), Marina Mabrey (expansion draft), Aaliyah Nye (expansion draft), Kiki Rice (draft), Brittney Sykes (free agency)
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With head coach Sandy Brondello leading the charge, the Tempo will, at minimum, be competitive. Brondello brings a winning culture to Toronto and that should help a team that will be figuring it out along the way. Veterans Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes could be one of the top-scoring backcourt duos in the league.
13. Seattle Storm
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2025 record: 23-21 (lost in first round of 2025 playoffs)
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Notable additions: Stefanie Dolson (free agency), Awa Fam (draft), Natisha Hiedeman (free agency), Flau’jae Johnson (draft)
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Key departures: Skylar Diggins (Chicago Sky), Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks), Brittney Sykes (Toronto Tempo), Erica Wheeler (Los Angeles Sparks), Gabby Williams (Golden State Valkyries)
Seattle isn’t in win-now mode. The franchise signaled a full rebuild following the departures of Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike. Instead, the Storm are playing the long game with a stash of young talent, including Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson. Seattle signed Stefanie Dolson and Natisha Hiedeman to provide a veteran presence.
14. Connecticut Sun
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2025 record: (missed the playoffs)
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Notable additions: Nell Angloma (draft), Kennedy Burke (free agency), Brittney Griner (free agency), Gianna Kneepkens (draft)
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Key departures: Marina Mabrey (Toronto Tempo)
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The Sun won 11 games last season, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. Connecticut plays tough defense and can score enough points to keep up with teams in most games. Finishing matchups was a major issue, and that will have to change if the Sun don’t want the same result. Newcomers Brittney Griner and Kennedy Burke are the only players who have won a championship, and the team will need their leadership.
15. Portland Fire
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Notable additions: Chloe Bibby (expansion draft), Maya Caldwell (expansion draft), Bridget Carleton (expansion draft), Carla Leite (expansion draft), Iyana Martín Carrión (draft), Megan Gustafson (free agency), Sug Sutton (expansion draft)
It’s hard to know what Portland will develop into with so many new faces and only three players with more than five years of experience. It could be a rough first season, despite franchise player Bridget Carleton leading the group and plenty of athletes with international experience.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA power rankings: Aces, Liberty lead 2026 preseason title contenders
