In less than two weeks, the WNBA held an Expansion Draft for its two newest franchises in Toronto and Portland, opened Free Agency with over 100 players on the market, and completed the 2026 WNBA Draft.

While the dust has yet to settle from this whirlwind offseason, here is a snapshot of how things stand with the opening of training camps arriving soon. Of course, at this point, not all free agents have signed with a team, so we will revisit these initial rankings as we get closer to the start of the season.

1. Las Vegas Aces

Chelsea Gray #12 and Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces

• Key Signings: Dana Evans, Chelsea Gray, Jewell Loyd, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, NaLyssa Smith, Stephanie Talbot, Brianna Turner, Jackie Young
• Trades: None
• Draft Picks: Janiah Barker (29th overall), Jordan Obi (44th overall)

The defending champs are ready to run it back. Headlined by the re-signings of Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd, Las Vegas is returning nearly its entire core from the franchise’s third title run over the past four years. One name that does not yet appear on the Key Signings list above is reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, but all indications point toward her return to the desert, with her sights set on a fourth title and fifth MVP. The Aces were quiet at Monday’s draft, with only two picks late in the second and third rounds. This is a team built to win now, hence the veteran presence in the Aces’ signings.

2. New York Liberty

• Key Signings: Pauline Astier, Rebecca Allen
• Trades: None
• Draft Picks: Manuela Puoch (41st overall)

Centerpiece stars Sabrina Ionescu (cored) and Breanna Stewart have indicated their plans to return to New York. Assuming that Ionescu and Stewart both return, the Liberty will look to return to title contention, one season removed from the franchise’s first-ever championship run in 2024. Similar to the Aces, the Liberty did not have much draft capital, with only one pick late in the third round, and are in win-now mode.

3. Indiana Fever

• Key Signings: Monique Billings, Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, Tyasha Harris, Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell
• Trades: None
• Draft Picks: Raven Johnson (10th overall), Justine Pissott (25th overall), Jessica Timmons (40th overall)

While injuries derailed Caitlin Clark’s sophomore season in 2025, the Fever still came within a game of reaching the WNBA Finals. Powered by veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever fell to the eventual champion Aces in a fifth and deciding game in the semifinals. Mitchell’s efforts helped her earn a one-year supermax deal to return to Indy, where the Fever hope to make more noise in 2026 with Mitchell playing beside Clark. Indiana brought back Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull and added free agents in Monique Billings, and Tyasha Harris to bolster its depth.

4. Atlanta Dream

• Key Signings: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones
• Trades: Acquired Angel Reese and the right to swap 2028 2nd round picks (from CHI) for 2027 & 2028 1st round draft picks
• Draft Picks: Madina Okot (13th overall), Indya Nivar (28th overall), Kejia Ran (43rd overall)

The Dream made one of the biggest moves of the offseason before free agency even got underway, acquiring two-time All-Star Angel Reese in a trade with Chicago. The Dream now boast four 2025 All-Stars, with Reese joining the re-signed trio of Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and Brionna Jones, as well as two-time champ Jordin Canada. The Dream added three players in the draft, led by first-round pick Madina Okot – a 6-foot-6 center who Reese called “another walking double-double” – and will look to fill the void left by the departing Brittney Griner. Atlanta made a 15-win improvement last season and will look to maintain that upward trajectory in 2026.

5. Minnesota Lynx

Olivia Miles of TCU poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft

• Key Signings: Emma Čechová, Nia Coffey, Eliška Hamzová, Natasha Howard, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams
• Trades: None
• Draft Picks: Olivia Miles (2nd overall), Lani White (45th overall)

The past two weeks saw the Lynx lose a number of key players from last year’s league-best 34-10 squad, including Bridget Carleton (expansion draft), as well as Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, and reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith (free agency). However, Minnesota did re-sign All-Stars Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, added former Lynx forward Natasha Howard, and cored 2025 WNBA MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier. And thanks to a trade with Chicago last year, the Lynx entered Monday’s draft with the No. 2 overall pick, selecting LSU point guard Olivia Miles, who has drawn comparisons to Chelsea Gray for her court vision and playmaking skills. How quickly Miles is ready to contribute, along with how the team fills the void left by departing players, will be key for Minnesota early in the season.

6. Los Angeles Sparks

• Key Signings: Rae Burrell, Emma Cannon, Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum, Erica Wheeler
• Trades: Acquired Ariel Akins via sign-and-trade (from CHI) for Rickea Jackson
• Draft Picks: Ta’Niya Latson (20th overall), Chance Gray (24th overall), Amelia Hassett (35th overall)

Coming off a franchise-low eight wins in 2024, the Sparks made a 13-win improvement in 2025, but still missed the postseason for a fifth straight season. With eyes on making another leap, L.A. brought back a legend in Nneka Ogwumike after the former league MVP played the last two seasons in Seattle. The Sparks also re-signed Dearica Hamby, Erica Wheeler, and Kelsey Plum (on a team-friendly deal), while acquiring Ariel Atkins from Chicago via sign-and-trade. In the draft, the Sparks were without a first-round pick, but added a pair of scoring guards – Ta’Niya Latson and Chance Gray – in the second round to help complement the team’s veteran nucleus.

7. Phoenix Mercury

• Key Signings: DeWanna Bonner, Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, Sami Whitcomb
• Trades: None
• Draft Picks: Inès Pitarch-Granel (27th overall), Eszter Ratkai (42nd overall)

While the Mercury lost Satou Sabally in free agency, they did re-sign perennial MVP contender Alyssa Thomas for her second season in Phoenix. In addition to racking up league records in triple-doubles, AT is a proven winner. She has won fewer than 20 games only twice in the past decade. The Mercury also brought back Kahleah Copper (who missed the first month of last season, but enters 2026 healthy), sharpshooter Sami Whitcomb, and Mercury legend DeWanna Bonner, who won a pair of championships in Phoenix. The Mercury will remain active in free agency to build around this core. Armed with only two late-round picks in Monday’s draft, Phoenix drafted a pair of young European players who may not make an impact quickly.

8. Dallas Wings

• Key Signings: Lindsay Allen, Alysha Clark, Awak Kuier, Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith
• Trades: Acquired Rayah Marshall (from CON) for Diamond Miller
• Draft Picks: Azzi Fudd (1st overall), Zee Spearman (31st overall)

Last season, the Wings finished second-to-last in both defensive rating and 3-point percentage. This offseason, they addressed both issues. First, they signed reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith to anchor their defense alongside fellow signing Jessica Shepard. Next, they selected sharpshooter Azzi Fudd (who shot 44.7% from beyond the arc at UConn last season) to help bolster their perimeter shooting. In case a backcourt of former college teammates Fudd and reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers wasn’t enough, the Wings re-signed Arike Ogunbowale to create a potentially dangerous three-guard lineup. Will it be enough to catapult the Wings from the cellar (10 wins in 2025) into playoff contention?

9. Golden State Valkyries

Key Signings: Veronica Burton, Kaila Charles, Iliana Rupert, Janelle Salaun, Kiah Stokes, Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Cecilia Zandalasini

Trades: Acquired rights to Marta Suarez and 2028 2nd round pick (from SEA) for the rights to Flau’jae Johnson

Draft Picks: Flau’jae Johnson (8th overall), Ashlon Jackson (23rd overall), Kokoro Tanaka (38th overall)

Coming off the most successful inaugural season for an expansion team in league history, the Valkyries are ready to begin Year 2 of Bay Area WNBA hoops. In addition to re-signing many of their own free agents – including reigning Most Improved Player Veronica Burton – the Valkyries made a splash with the addition of Gabby Williams, a defensive ace on the wing who earned her first All-Star nod last season in Seattle. On draft night, the Valkyries selected LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson with the eighth overall pick before making a stunning trade, sending her draft rights to Seattle for the rights to Marta Suarez and a 2028 second-round pick. After a historic start in 2025, can the Valkyries build off that success in 2026?

10. Chicago Sky

Skylar Diggins

Key Signings: Rachel Banham, DiJonai Carrington, Skylar Diggins, Azurá Stevens, Courtney Vandersloot, Elizabeth Williams

Trades: Acquired 2027 & 2028 1st round draft picks (from ATL) for Angel Reese and the right to swap 2028 2nd round picks; acquired Jacy Sheldon (from WAS) for 2028 1st round pick; acquired Rickea Jackson (from LAS) for Ariel Atkins

Draft Picks: Gabriela Jaquez (5th overall), Latasha Lattimore (21st overall), Tonie Morgan (32nd overall)

The Sky have been busy over the past couple of weeks. They swung two of the biggest trades of the offseason – sending Reese to Atlanta for future draft picks, and sending Atkins to L.A. for Rickea Jackson. They added talent in free agency – seven-time All-Star guard Skylar Diggins, versatile big Azurá Stevens (who returns to Chicago after three years in L.A.), and 2024 Most Improved Player DiJonai Carrington. The Sky also re-signed veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot, who played seven games with the Sky last season before suffering a torn ACL, and former two-time All-Defensive forward Elizabeth Williams. Then, in the draft, they added Gabriela Jaquez, fresh off an NCAA title run with UCLA, with the fifth overall pick. How quickly all these pieces come together will be key to Chicago’s success this season.

11. Washington Mystics

Key Signings: Shakira Austin, Michaela Onyenwere

Trades: Acquired a 2028 1st round draft pick (from CHI) for Jacy Sheldon

Draft Picks: Lauren Betts (4th overall), Angela Dugalić (9th overall), Cotie McMahon (11th overall), Cassandre Prosper (19th overall), Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (30th overall), Rori Harmon (34th overall)

In the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Mystics made back-to-back lottery picks with No. 3 pick Sonia Citron and No. 4 pick Kiki Irafen – both were named All-Stars as WNBA rookies. A year later, even with a new GM, the Mystics continued to build through the draft, with No. 4 pick Lauren Betts leading six Washington selections. While it’s unlikely all six picks will make the roster, expect fellow first-rounders Angela Dugalić (9th) and Cotie McMahon (11th) to contribute as the Mystics look to continue to build off last year’s 16-28 record.

12. Seattle Storm

Key Signings: Stefanie Dolson, Natisha Hiedeman, Ezi Magbegor, Jade Melbourne, Katie Lou Samuelson

Trades: Acquired rights to Flau’jae Johnson (from GSV) for the rights to Marta Suarez and 2028 2nd round pick

Draft Picks: Awa Fam Thiam (3rd overall), Taina Mair (14th overall), Marta Suarez (16th overall), Grace VanSlooten (39th overall)

After seeing their three All-Stars from last season – Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, and Gabby Williams – sign elsewhere, the Storm are rebuilding their roster through free agency and the draft. In free agency, they added Stefanie Dolson, Natisha Hiedeman, and Katie Lou Samuelson, and re-signed Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne. Then, on draft night, the Storm used the third overall pick to select Awa Fam Thiam – a 19-year-old 6-foot-4 center from Spain with an incredibly high ceiling in terms of talent and potential. Teaming her with last year’s second overall pick, 20-year-old 6-foot-6 center Dominique Malonga of France, gives the Storm a frontline to build around for the long term. 

13. Connecticut Sun

Key Signings: Kennedy Burke, Brittney Griner, Olivia Nelson-Ododa

Trades: Acquired rights to Taylor Bigby and a 2027 3rd round pick (from POR) for the rights to Serah Williams

Draft Picks: Nell Angloma (12th overall), Gianna Kneepkens (15th overall), Charlisse Leger-Walker (18th overall), Serah Williams (33rd overall)

This will be the Sun’s 24th and final season in Connecticut, as the team has been sold and is set to relocate to Houston for the 2027 WNBA season. As the Sun-set begins, how will the roster take shape? Connecticut added 10-time All-Star, former two-time scoring champ, and eight-time blocks leader Brittney Griner in free agency, along with Kennedy Burke, while re-signing former UConn star Olivia Nelson-Ododa. In the draft, the Sun held three of the night’s top 18 picks, choosing Nell Angloma of France with the 12th pick, followed by the UCLA backcourt of Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker fresh off a national title run. They also acquired the rights to Taylor Bigby and a future pick from Portland for the rights to Serah Williams. 

14. Toronto Tempo

Expansion Draft Picks: Marina Mabrey (signed two-year deal), Julie Allemand, Nyara Sabally, Aaliyah Nye, Alexa Held, María Conde, Maria Kliundikova, Adja Kane, Nikolina Milić, Kitija Laksa, Kristy Wallace

Key Signings: Julie Allemand, Temi Fagbenle, Isabelle Harrison, Marina Mabrey, Kia Nurse, Brittney Sykes

Trades: None

Draft Picks: Kiki Rice (6th overall), Teonni Key (22nd overall), Saffron Shiels (26th overall), Charlise Dunn (36th overall)

The two expansion teams begin at the bottom of the power rankings and must work their way up over the course of the season to build the on- and off-court chemistry that more established squads already possess. For the Tempo, they signed guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes to multi-year deals to lead their backcourt. They tried to add Shakira Austin on the frontline, but Washington matched Toronto’s offer to the restricted free agent. Plus, the WNBA’s first Canadian team signed its first Canadian player, with Kia Nurse joining the squad. Toronto’s draft was headlined by the selection of UCLA guard Kiki Rice with the sixth overall pick. Training camp and preseason will be critical for the Tempo (and these rankings) to see where this expansion team truly sits at this point.

15. Portland Fire

Bridget Carleton

Expansion Draft Picks: Bridget Carleton (signed three-year deal), Carla Leite, Luisa Geiselsöder, Emily Engstler, Maya Caldwell, Chloe Bibby, Haley Jones, Nyadiew Puoch, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Sug Sutton, Nika Mühl

Key Signings: Bridget Carleton, Luisa Geiselsöder, Megan Gustafson, Haley Jones, Nyadiew Puoch, Karlie Samuelson

Trades: Acquired rights to Serah Williams (from CON) for rights to Taylor Bigby and a 2027 3rd round pick

Draft Picks: Iyana Martín Carrión (7th overall), Frieda Bühner (17th overall), Taylor Bigby (37th overall)

With the first overall pick in the Expansion Draft, the Fire selected Bridget Carleton – a 6-foot-2 forward who played the past six-plus seasons in Minnesota – and signed her to a three-year max deal. In addition to Carleton, the Fire added free agents Megan Gustafson and Karlie Samuelson before shifting focus to their first WNBA Draft. Portland used its first two picks on European players, Iyana Martín of Spain at No. 7 and Frieda Bühner of Germany at No. 17, with Martín not coming over until 2027. Later, they selected Taylor Bigby and traded her rights to Connecticut for the rights to Serah Williams out of UConn. Similar to the Tempo, there will be intrigue around how these expansion teams perform out of the gate – especially after seeing the success that Golden State had last year.