Analysis


<div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow">
<p>The WNBA is officially tipping off its 30th season on May 8, with the preseason already wrapped up and fans given a glimpse of what’s to come for several contenders, rookies, and big signings from a tumultuous free agency.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The excitement surrounding this season is reaching a fever pitch, especially with so many moving parts this offseason and with two new teams added to the league ahead of 2026. While there’s likely an infinite number of things that fans are looking forward to this season, we’ll take a look at 10 things that should be on fans’ radars ahead of tip-off weekend.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. <strong>How Dominant will the Aces Be?</strong></h2>



<div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:25%"></div>



<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:50%">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="777" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Aces.png" alt="" class="wp-image-259960" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Aces.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Aces-300x243.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Aces-768x622.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>
</div>



<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:25%"></div>
</div>



<p>The Las Vegas Aces shocked the world in 2025. Sitting at 14-13, the Aces headed into a fateful August 2nd contest against the Minnesota Lynx, where the Lynx had the biggest road victory in WNBA history &#8211; the final score was 111-58.</p>



<p>That loss handed Las Vegas a 14-14 record with just 16 games left in the season. Their response to being on the losing end of that WNBA record? Winning 16 games in a row, blowing by their postseason competition, and sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals to land their third championship in four seasons.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team didn’t shake up their starting lineup much for 2026, and why would they? A’ja Wilson is primed for another MVP run, while their mid-season trade last year that landed NaLyssa Smith ended up paying off in dividends. They also re-signed Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Dana Evans, while also upgrading their bench with Chennedy Carter, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Brianna Turner, and Stephanie Talbot.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It’s hard to imagine a world where Las Vegas gets anywhere close to their lows from their 2025 season &#8211; and that&#8217;s a scary prospect for the rest of the league. This is not to say that there aren’t other contenders, but it sure does feel like the championship runs through Michelob Ultra Arena.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. <strong>Tight ROTY race</strong></h2>



<p>Azzi Fudd went first overall to the Dallas Wings, and that pick immediately re-paired her with former championship backcourt sidekick Paige Bueckers. We’ll get into that momentarily.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Fudd, while an electric guard who can score at all three levels, has some stiff competition ahead for the 2026 Rookie of the Year award. Preseason was a great look into that potential race, with several neophytes proving they’re more than ready for the challenge of WNBA physicality, speed, and competition.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Lauren Betts, the fourth-overall pick in this year’s draft, averaged 15 points per game along with 4.5 rebounds, two assists, and one steal for the Washington Mystics in the preseason. Raven Johnson was a defensive stalwart for the Indiana Fever in preseason, contributing 2.3 steals, 4.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and six points per game in Indiana’s three preseason games. Olivia Miles, who was snagged by the Lynx right after Fudd was off the board, looks like an extremely tidy fit next to Courtney Williams in Minnesota’s backcourt already. She averaged 10.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and three assists in three games. </p>



<p>We haven’t even mentioned Flau’jae Johnson’s preseason performances, which were capped by a 20-point performance against the Portland Fire.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is going to be a ridiculously fun ROTY race.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. <strong>Two New Expansion Teams</strong></h2>



<p>The Toronto Tempo and Fire are kicking off their inaugural seasons during the WNBA’s 30th year, with Portland “reviving” its past franchise and returning to create a neat rivalry with the Seattle Storm. For Toronto, the Tempo’s tip-off marks a major expansion into Canada, with games scheduled in Vancouver and Montreal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As we saw with the Golden State Valkyries in 2025, you simply cannot write off a new team before they’ve even gotten a chance to establish their play style and identity in the regular season. The league is teeming with talent, and Portland and Toronto are offering 24 more roster spots to players who would not have gotten the opportunity to suit up or even start in 2026.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. <strong>The Impending MVP race</strong></h2>



<p>As mentioned, it’s expected that Wilson will continue her dominance over the MVP award in 2026. This could be the year that Napheesa Collier, also, finally, breaks through this wall and wins the award for the first time. She was considered a frontrunner alongside Wilson last year. Alyssa Thomas is also always an underrated force to be reckoned with in this race.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Other names to watch include Caitlin Clark, Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray, or even Paige Bueckers. It’s difficult to imagine this award going to anyone other than a big, but these guards have a shot at making Wilson’s road to a fifth MVP honor a bit shakier.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. <strong>Surprising Contenders</strong></h2>



<div class="wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex">
<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:25%"></div>



<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:50%">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="960" height="640" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Contenders.png" alt="" class="wp-image-259957" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Contenders.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Contenders-300x200.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/05/Contenders-768x512.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></figure>
</div>



<div class="wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow" style="flex-basis:25%"></div>
</div>



<p>The preseason was a nice window into what’s to come for this year, and an even better glimpse into which teams could shock fans with great seasons. The Wings looked fantastic in their final preseason contest against the Aces, with Aziaha James leading the way with 18 points, four rebounds, two steals, two assists, and a block. Their depth could come up huge for them in 2026, especially as much of that depth was added by way of free agency. The more veterans like Alanna Smith and Jess Sheppard to help lead their young core, the better.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Another potential contender could be the Indiana Fever, who now have a healthy Clark back in the fold. With her, Aliyah Boston, and Kelsey Mitchell, their core is set up for a decent run at top seeding this season. Plus, their depth seems to be a strength this year. It depends on how healthy they can remain throughout the season. On paper, the Fever look primed for a return to the postseason.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A third team to watch for a deep postseason run is the Atlanta Dream. They aren’t necessarily a surprising team considering they’ve made the postseason each year for the last three years. But their addition of Reese this offseason changes their makeup. As a team heavily reliant on spacing, lending itself to the effectiveness of its bigs, they made quite the splash acquiring a player who lives at the rim for her offense as well as Reese does.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. The Impact of <strong>Big Free Agency Signings</strong></h2>



<p>Free agency was just as chaotic as the trade market this offseason. There were some notable returns, like Nneka Ogwumike heading back to the Los Angeles Sparks and Azurá Stevens landing back with the Chicago Sky. The Sky also acquired Skylar Diggins on the free agent market, adding some much-needed veteran guard play to a young roster in need of some direction. </p>



<p>Other significant free-agent moves included Alanna Smith heading to the Wings after spending her last two seasons with the Lynx, Gabby Williams leaving the Storm for the Valkyries, and Brittney Griner heading to the Connecticut Sun after a brief stint with the Dream.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These are all hugely impactful signings, and some could even swing teams from having fringe postseason potential to being full-fledged contenders. The Wings and the Valkyries certainly qualify under that umbrella thanks to these signature signings.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. <strong>Fudd and Bueckers Reunited in Dallas</strong></h2>



<p>With Fudd landing with Dallas, the Wings have an opportunity to witness a rookie come into the WNBA and immediately be comfortable with their backcourt company. Fudd and Bueckers finally won an NCAA championship together in 2025, before Bueckers was drafted by the Wings. Their work together as the UConn Huskies’ starting backcourt was must-watch TV, and Dallas is seemingly hoping to replicate their success in the WNBA with their Fudd pick.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In preseason, Fudd&#8217;s play was a mixed bag, averaging just 8 points per game and 1 assist, struggling with the league’s physicality and speed during the transition. However, her upside is obvious from her time with UConn, and the Wings have an opportunity to recreate one of the best one-two offensive punches in women’s college basketball history with her added to the fold. </p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. <strong>Angel Reese in Atlanta</strong></h2>



<p>Reese landed with the Dream following a shocking trade with the Sky this offseason. Following yet another All-Star campaign in 2025, she lands with an Atlanta team that feels a piece or two away from making a Finals push.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Whether or not she is that final piece will be fun to see, especially since the Dream already roster two powerful scoring options in Gray and Rhyne Howard. Atlanta already led the league in rebounding prior to acquiring Reese, who will be aiming to add her 2025 league-leading 12.6 rebounds per game to the fold. Three-point shooting for the Dream will be key to unlocking her potential with this lineup.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. <strong>Sophomore Leaps</strong></h2>



<p>Anyone catching Wings, Mystics, or Sun games was probably impressed by the performances of second-year players headed into the 2026 season. For Dallas, that includes Bueckers, of course, but also Aziaha James, who averaged 17.5 points per game along with 5.5 rebounds, three steals, and 2.5 assists in the preseason. For Washington, both Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen look poised to continue to raise the ceiling of the Mystics after both nearly spoiled Bueckers’ bid for ROTY in 2025.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Saniya Rivers already looks like a huge leader for the Sun on the floor headed into 2026. She was excellent in Unrivaled this past offseason, and her 2nd season with the Sun looks poised to be a launching pad for her to go from an impressive rookie to a borderline star. Her defensive strengths were on display throughout the preseason, and she unlocked Connecticut’s potential on offense thanks to her quick thinking in transition and her speed.&nbsp;</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots" />



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. <strong>Celebrating Season 30</strong></h2>



<p>Of course, in addition to all of these things, the WNBA’s players have to be excited about putting on a show for the league’s 30th year. There have been so many legends that have defined the league in such a short period of time, and we’re also witnessing legendary careers unfold before us in real time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You cannot take the current talent on display this season for granted, especially the performances by players like Wilson, Clark, Collier, Thomas, and so many others. This is a major milestone for the league to have reached, and the momentum for players and fans in 2026 is only getting stronger.</p>
</div>
</div>


10-things-to-look-forward-to-2026

10 Things to Look Forward to in Season 30

Latest

Tip-Off 2026

att2

CarMax+Logo-White

DEL_PRI_ALL_WHT

google-logo-transparent

Nike-Logo-PNG

Get a courtside seat. Every week. With WNBA League Pass, watch live games across the league.

wnba_league_pass_logo_PRIMARY_RGB_fire (3)

PRESS PLAY ON THE WNBA