On Friday night, the WNBA is set to kick off its 30th season with a flurry of matches to ring in the new season. While teams have had all offseason to make moves to put their best foot forward this season, it doesn’t stop in the days leading up to the action, as front offices around the association are hard at work.
The Storm make some roster moves
The Seattle Storm has waived guard/forwards Jaelyn Brown and Rennia Davis.
This was the case on Wednesday evening, when the Seattle Storm announced the waiving of two players, Jaelyn Brown and Rennia Davis.
Brown was signed to a training camp deal with Seattle after being waived by the Connecticut Sun in the middle of the 2025 campaign. The 27-year-old dropped 14 points across her two appearances with the Storm in their preseason slate of games.
Similar to Brown, Davis was brought on to the Storm’s squad in April through a training camp contract. In her two preseason appearances, Davis put up 13 points and six rebounds, showing flashes of scoring and rebounding for her team.
Now the two former Storm players will have the opportunity to float offers to the other teams in the associations as the season continues to get started.
All eyes will be on Seattle this season to see if they can make it beyond the opening round of the playoffs, dropping to the eventual WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces, in a three-game fashion last season.
The Storm are set to kick their season off on Friday night, with tip-off against the Golden State Valkyries slated for 10:00 p.m. EST.
For some WNBA players, 17 months of negotiations was worth seven figures.
In March, the WNBA and its players struck a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement. Among the several groundbreaking elements of the historic CBA, it paved the way for players to get paid — big time.
The salary cap — the total amount of money each team is allowed to spend on player contracts — more than quadrupled, jumping from $1.5 million last year to $7 million this season. League minimums for salaries were increased from $67,000 to $300,000. With that, the average player salary went from $105,000 to about $600,000.
And, for the first time, the WNBA now has players earning more than $1 million per year. The new annual supermax is $1.4 million — a salary figure that three players will earn this season: A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx, and Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever.
In all, 31 players will make at least $1 million this season. And four-time All-Star guard Kelsey Plum will earn just a hair under at $999,999 with the Sparks.
These are the highest-paid players in the WNBA:
A'ja Wilson | $1,400,000 (Las Vegas Aces)
Napheesa Collier | $1,400,000 (Minnesota Lynx)
Kelsey Mitchell | $1,400,000 (Indiana Fever)
Ezi Magbegor | $1,250,000 (Seattle Storm)
Kahleah Copper | $1,200,000 (Phoenix Mercury)
Alyssa Thomas | $1,200,000 (Phoenix Mercury)
Marina Mabrey | $1,200,000 (Toronto Tempo)
Allisha Gray | $1,190,000 (Atlanta Dream)
Brittney Griner | $1,190,000 (Connecticut Sun)
Jonquel Jones | $1,190,000 (New York Liberty)
Kayla McBride | $1,190,000 (Minnesota Lynx)
Alanna Smith | $1,190,000 (Dallas Wings)
Breanna Stewart | $1,190,000 (New York Liberty)
Brittney Sykes | $1,190,000 (Toronto Tempo)
Courtney Williams | $1,190,000 (Minnesota Lynx)
Gabby Williams | $1,190,000 (Golden State Valkyries)
Several professional women’s basketball leagues have emerged since the WNBA’s recent rise. Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull thinks those leagues will merge in the future.
Hull, who has played in Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled, tells Front Office Sports that the schedule and structure of the different offseason leagues work at the moment because of the WNBA’s limited roster spots and relatively short schedule.
But as the WNBA continues to expand, the Stanford graduate believes other leagues may need to consolidate.
“It is great to have other options in Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled to give players the opportunity to play in the offseason,” Hull said. “I think down the line, I would envision some of those leagues merging together and giving players the opportunity to actually have a full offseason.”
The WNBA season currently runs from May to September. Both Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled run near the start of the calendar year. Athletes Unlimited runs for about a month, and Unrivaled lasts for about two months.
“The length of those leagues and the length of those seasons are short in the whole scheme of things that we still do get a good amount of time off,” Hull said. “We get a chance to rest our body and recover … I think in the foreseeable future, they’ll definitely still be around and bringing in a lot more eyes for the offseason people that want to watch.”
The WNBA season can be pushed into late November under the new CBA. After this year’s 44-game season, the schedule can max out at 50 games in 2027 and 2028, and 52 games from 2029 to 2032.
Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled are inherently different leagues. The former plays a traditional 5-on-5 format, while the latter is 3-on-3 basketball. And they also have differences from two other leagues launching this year: The Upshot League and Project B.
Startup League Boom Continues
The Upshot League is a professional league launching May 15 and will run simultaneously with the WNBA season. The four-team league will play in cities without a WNBA franchise: Jacksonville, Savannah, Greensboro, and Charlotte. It’s already been announced that two expansion teams will be coming next year in Baltimore and Nashville.
The league’s commissioner is Donna Orender, the former president of the WNBA. She told Front Office Sports that Upshot can be a “complementary” league to the WNBA.
“We believe that there is a place for us to be partners in a meaningful and impactful way,” Orender said.
Project B is a global basketball league that will run from December to March and will make seven stops across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It’s already signed more than a dozen players, including Nneka Ogwumike and Kelsey Mitchell.
Bigger Salaries, Different Choices
FOS reported late last year that Project B is offering players salaries starting at $2 million, which is more than the supermax salaries in the WNBA, even under the new CBA.
Salaries will also play a factor in players’ interest in joining offseason leagues. The primary reason players played overseas or in other domestic leagues was to supplement their earnings, given the WNBA’s low salaries.
But increased income may change players’ offseason decisions. For example, WNBA superstars A’ja Wilson and Caitlin Clark, both of whom have multi-million-dollar shoe deals, have never played in Athletes Unlimited or Unrivaled.
Martin joined Golden State in the team's 2024 WNBA expansion draft ahead of its first season in 2025. She averaged 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds for Golden State during its inaugural campaign.
Martin started off her career with the Las Vegas Aces as a second-round pick in 2024, the same draft as her Iowa teammate and close friend Caitlin Clark.
Why did the Valkyries waive Martin, who held a valuable bench role with the franchise last year? Well, Martin had been battling a Grade II right quad strain. However, the team shared she'd been improving from the injury and was being reevaluated on a day-to-day basis leading up to the season.
It's also possible that the Valkyries have found depth guards that they prefer over Martin. It's possible Golden State could bring her back on a developmental deal, but it's possible she'll continue her career elsewhere on a 12-person main roster. We'll have to see how Martin progresses from her injury to determine what's next for her.
Could she reunite with Clark in Indiana with the Fever?
It's possible! The Fever could sign her to one of their developmental contract spots that is currently open.
The WNBA's first tipoff always sneaks up on fans due to the little time between the Women's NCAA Tournament and the league's draft. This year, the league's first tipoff falls on May 8, with the Connecticut Sun and New York Liberty scheduled to kick things off.
No other sport moves this quickly from the draft to its regular season, and teams are forced to make quick decisions about their roster. The WNBA also added two expansion teams this year in the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. With another couple of teams in the mix, the league could see a sizeable amount of roster movement as players are waived and relocated prior to the 2026 season beginning.
Which WNBA players failed to make the cut in 2026? The Sporting News details the rookies on opening day rosters, as well as the players who fell just short before the season tips off on May 8.
Every WNBA team is required to cut down the size of its roster by the start of the regular season on May 8. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams are allowed an increased minimum roster size of 12 players, compared to the traditional 11 players, plus two more roster spots for developmental players, and salary cap exceptions for injured or pregnant players.
In order to follow these requirements, teams must cut players from their rosters, which means sending players to the league's waiver system.
Once a player is waived, the team removes her from the roster and places her on the waiver wire. In the ensuing 48 hours, other teams can claim a player's contract. If multiple teams submit a claim, then the league will award the contract to the team with the highest waiver priority. This is similar to what the NFL does.
If one of the 15 WNBA teams does not claim a player off waivers, she gains the "cleared" status and moves on to become an unrestricted free agent. After that, she can negotiate with a new team and sign a new contract there.
WNBA roster cut updates
Wednesday, May 6
5:10 p.m. - Two days after being let go from the Chicago Sky, Hailey Van Lith will be signing with the Connecticut Sun, according to Alexa Philippou. Van Lith was put on waivers after the team made the decision, which was based on a "style of play preference." Last season, the Sun went 11-33 and finished second-to-last in the Eastern Conference.
2:56 p.m. - After being waived on Sunday by the Golden State Valkyries, rookie Marta Suarez is signing a developmental contract with the Phoenix Mercury, according to Sabreena Merchant. Suarez was involved in a draft night trade after Golden State originally drafted Flau’jae Johnson with the No. 8 pick, but traded her to move down and select Suarez.
1:46 p.m. - The Indiana Fever announced their first batch of waives during the offseason, with Megan McConnell leaving the franchise. The sister of Indiana Pacers guard TJ McConnell is one of three players to be waived, with Jessica Timmons and Kayana Traylor also out, per Underdog.
Tuesday, May 5
12:13 p.m. - Madison Scott has been waived by the Washington Mystics, per Yahoo Sports. Scott was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and had signed with the team in September. In two games this preseason, Scott gathered a rebound and two steals for her team.
Monday, May 4
12:28 p.m. - Despite beginning to improve during her career, the Chicago Sky has announced the team is waiving Hailey Van Lith. According to Kendra Andrews, Chicago's decision was based on the team's “style of play preference.” Van Lith is in active conversation with several different teams.
Sunday, May 3
6:07 p.m. - The Golden State Valkyries announced their rounds of waives, one of those being No. 16 overall pick Marta Suarez. The team originally drafted Flau’jae Johnson with the No. 8 pick, but traded her on draft night to move down and select Suarez. The former 2025 NCAA champion should receive some attention from other teams.
WNBA players waived before 2026 season, by team
Here's a full list of the players waived ahead of the 2026 regular season.
After months of deliberations, weeks of anticipation and two preseason games, the 2026 WNBA regular season is mercifully here.
It figures to be a memorable campaign. There are a host of gifted standouts in new jerseys, with Angel Reese, Satou Sabally and Nneka Ogwumike all headed to new homes in 2026. There are new teams, too; the Fire and Tempo are set to join the party, hoping to drum up interest in their respective enclaves a la the Valkyries.
The rookie class is fascinating. The veterans are enchanting. And the paychecks are a whole lot bigger. The 2026 season is shaping up to be one for the record books. And we haven't even gotten started yet.
With that, here are our expert picks on end-of-season awards, the Commissioner's Cup champion, the top contenders in this year's playoff hunt and, as always, a prediction for the 2026 WNBA Finals.
Finals prediction: Las Vegas Aces over Atlanta Dream
Angel Reese should slot nicely into Karl Smesko's lineup in 2026. I'm interested to see if she can take a Naz Hillmon-like leap as a shooter. If she can improve upon her career 18.4% three-point percentage, the Dream could emerge as the W's most well-rounded outfit.
Beyond that, I think the Aces' decision to sign Chennedy Carter could prove to be the smartest deal of the offseason. She has her detractors. But few players are quite as accomplished an isolation scorer as she is. Carter — and A'ja Wilson — will be the difference as Las Vegas downs Atlanta in seven to pick up its fourth title in five years.
Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Carlan Gay
MVP: Allisha Gray, Dream
Rookie of the Year: Olivia Miles, Lynx
Defensive Player of the Year: Gabby Williams, Valkyries
Coach of the Year: Karl Smesko, Dream
Commissioner's Cup champion: New York Liberty
Top four teams: New York Liberty, Atlanta Dream, Las Vegas Aces, Indiana Fever
Finals prediction: Dream vs. Fever
I’m banking on the Dream finally getting over the first-round hump and into the Finals. I’m also banking on better health for a Fever team that almost made the Finals without key cogs last year. An Atlanta-Indiana best-of-seven Finals matchup would be a Fever Dream.
Also, I can’t wait to see Gabby Williams lock up defensively on one of the better defensive teams in the league, fresh off winning her third (!) Defensive Player of the Year in the EuroLeague.
Thoughts: How good can the Tempo be in their first year? Sandy Brondello has never missed the playoffs in 13 seasons as a WNBA head coach. The Tempo has two good players in Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey, who might get them to a more respectable level than most expansion teams. Toronto is a great basketball city, and they'll probably have a great home court advantage at the very least.
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Daniel Yanofsky
MVP: A'ja Wilson
Rookie of the Year: Lauren Betts
Defensive Player of the Year: A'ja Wilson
Coach of the Year: Sydney Johnson (Mystics)
Commissioner's Cup Champion: New York Liberty
Top four teams: Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream
Final prediction: Las Vegas Aces repeat as champions
Thoughts: Last season, I predicted the New York Liberty would repeat as champions. This year, I'll continue that trend by predicting the Las Vegas Aces will win it all. The Aces have the league's best player, A'ja Wilson, and top-tier role players. They have enough talent to cement their status as a true dynasty.
Chicago may not go far in the playoffs, but it will be fascinating to see how everyone gels post-Angel Reese. Also, will Skylar Diggins confront Sky management before the season ends?
The Wings fascinate me. Caitlin Clark may be considered the star, but Paige Bueckers will be the player to watch. Penciling Wilson as MVP once again, but year two for Bueckers could be one to remember.
Lauren Betts, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and a healthy Georgia Amoore? I believe the Mystics will be a problem.
The Hall of Famer was one of the investors in the WNBA’s $75 million capital raise for a 16% equity stake in the league. Other investors include former NBA star Baron Davis, and NBA and WNBA owners Joe and Clara Tsai (Nets & Liberty), Herb Simon (Pacers & Fever), and Ted Leonsis (Wizards and Mystics).
At the time of the raise, it was widely reported that the investment valued the league at $1 billion. But FOS reported earlier this year that valuation of the league was closer to $475 million after the capital injection.
The league is far more valuable than that just four years later.
The WNBA’s popularity has skyrocketed since 2024 after the arrival of the rookie class led by Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Team valuations have skyrocketed, and the three latest expansion teams—all coming by 2030—each paid $250 million to join the league. The league’s existing teams are approaching $1 billion valuations, with CNBC estimating that the Golden State Valkyries are already there.
FOS previously reported that the WNBA is interested in buying back the 16% stake, which would cost far more than the $75 million the investors paid for it in 2022.
“It’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made,” Cash tells Front Office Sports. Other investors include Heat owners Micky and Nick Arison, Spurs minority owners Michael and Susan Dell, NBA legend Pau Gasol, and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The deal further complicated the WNBA’s already-muddled ownership picture.
Before the capital raise, half of the league was owned by the 30 NBA owners, while the other half was owned by the WNBA’s owners. The two side’s portions were cut to 42% following the raise—but Leonsis, Simon, and the Tsais have a hand in all three stakes.
Cash, who will be an analyst on Amazon Prime Video’s WNBA studio coverage this season, defended the league’s decision, saying it was difficult to predict such explosive growth.
“I don’t think anybody had a globe or a ball to say whether it’s right or wrong,” Cash said. “I think that you can look at it and say the investment has helped tremendously in different ways and the WNBA is hitting right now when it’s supposed to. The league is growing. … So I don’t think that anything is necessarily bad.”
The WNBA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Detroit Expansion Team
One of the league’s expansion teams will be in Detroit, where Cash played for six of her 15 years in the WNBA. Cash was drafted No. 2 overall by the Detroit Shock in 2002, and helped lead them to two of their three championships.
The Detroit WNBA franchise will return in 2029. The team is owned by Pistons owners Tom and Holly Gores and will play home games at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit.
But it’s not clear whether the expansion franchise will be able to revive its historic name.
A trademark for Detroit Shock has been registered to the Women’s Pro League since Feb. 5, 2025. A week earlier, the WNBA filed its own application for the trademark. The trademark application remains pending.
Cash said she’d love for the team to return as the Shock, but knows the team’s history will live on no matter what.
“I don’t care who owns the name of the Shock,” Cash said. “The blood, sweat and tears by the women who played in those jerseys, and it hung those banners—that needs to be there. So whether you own it or don’t, you don’t own what we were able to accomplish.
“So do I want the name to come back? I would love to see it. If the name changes, does it change the history of the game? No.”
The WNBA is back as the league tips off its 30th season in Friday, May 8.
The Las Vegas Aces will be looking to run it back as defending champs with the reigning MVP, A'ja Wilson, leading the way. Lots of other contenders hope to have something to say about that including the Atlanta Dream, New York Liberty and Indiana Fever.
The Fever, who were without floor leader Caitlin Clark for much of last season, are fully healthy. The Liberty, who were also bitten by the injury bug last season, already have Sabrina Ionesco on the sidelines after she rolled her ankle in a preseason game against the Connecticut Sun.
The Atlanta Dream also made the trade of the offseason, getting Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky to add to a roster which won 30 games last season.
Who will win the postseason awards and the WNBA championship? USA TODAY Sports polled its Studio IX reporters Nancy Armour, Callie Fin, Meghan L. Hall, Cydney Henderson, Danielle Lerner and Mitchell Northam and the results are below. Each also made an WNBA Finals prediction.
In true sports legend fashion, A’ja Wilson finds motivation where the mere mortal wouldn’t. From a fourth-place MVP vote in 2023 to being left out of conversations for the award during most of the 2025 campaign, the league’s most decorated player sees the haters and uses it all as motivation. This year, she said she’s using people’s anger as fuel for more domination. There’s no logical reason to add to her personal bulletin board. − Callie Fin
A'ja Wilson has won three of the last four Defensive Player of the Year titles and is poised to win another in 2026. Wilson is a walking mismatch who can guard every position, often forcing teams to game plan around her because she causes that much disruption. In 2025, she helped the Aces to 99.2 defensive rating and led the league in blocks, with a career high 2.3 blocks per game. Wilson was also ranked second in rebounds (10.2) and fourth in steals per game (1.6) − Meghan L. Hall
The No. 1 overall pick of the WNBA draft has gone on to win Rookie of the Year 16 out of 24 times, including each of the past four seasons. Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 over pick by the Dallas Wings, is in prime position to continue that streak. Fudd led the nation in made 3-pointers last season at UConn and will use her perimeter shooting to fill a glaring need for Dallas. However, Fudd can expect a run for her money from Olivia Miles, who went No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Lynx. Miles can impact the game in a variety of ways, as evidenced by her six triple-doubles at TCU last season. Miles will slide right into the starting lineup as the primary point guard and benefit from the veteran leadership surrounding her. − Cydney Henderson
Reigning Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon has a path to win again. The former Michigan Wolverine, who had a 95.8 defensive rating in 2025, has a non-stop motor and a knack for getting timely rebounds, causing turnovers or shutting down top players. She also added a more consistent 3-point shot, which should help lead the Dream's bench unit, which prides itself in causing as much disruption as possible. −Meghan L. Hall
Coach of the Year
Becky Hammon, Las Vegas Aces
With a career winning percentage of 73.1%, it’s difficult to doubt Becky Hammon and the Aces at this point. After a bumpy start last year, the Aces turned it around and finished the regular season on a 16-game winning streak, then went on to win their third championship in four years. All the key pieces are back for Las Vegas, including reigning MVP A’ja Wilson. With her on the court and Hammon on the sidelines, the Aces will always be contenders. This season, the Aces will aim to join the Houston Comets, Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm as four-time champions. − Mitchell Northam
WNBA Finals predications
Las Vegas Aces over New York Liberty
Aces beat Liberty in six. Las Vegas and New York have been a step above the rest of the W the last three seasons and this year is no different. The addition of Satou Sabally gives the Liberty another offensive threat and strengthens their defense. But the Aces are still the Aces, and it’s their title to win until someone says different. − Nancy Armour
Las Vegas Aces over New York Liberty
On paper, this is the matchup that makes the most sense — and a storied one at that. The Liberty are back in super team mode after having retained Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu while making a major free agency addition in Satou Sabally. The Aces are the reigning champions, pursuing their second back-to-back title run in five years. They’ve also retained their core, while adding frontcourt pieces (Stephanie Talbot, Brianna Turner) and potentially making the steal of the offseason by signing electric guard Chennedy Carter back into the league. All of that gives Las Vegas the edge. − Callie Fin
Las Vegas Aces over New York Liberty
There are few teams in this league that have the consistency within their core players that the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty do. Las Vegas and New York will return to the WNBA Finals, with the Aces winning in seven games for their fourth franchise title. − Meghan L. Hall
Las Vegas Aces over Atlanta Dream
The Las Vegas Aces retained its entire starting lineup from last year's championship run and are in prime position to run it back. The franchise kept its core of A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, while also maintaining its depth with Jewell Loyd and the additions of Chennedy Carter, Brianna Turner and Stephanie Talbot. The Atlanta Dream enter this season with a chip on their shoulder after being upset in the first round of the playoffs last year. The Dream also returns its core, plus two-time All-Star Angel Reese to get them over the hump. But the Aces' experience will make all the difference. − Cydney Henderson
Atlanta Dream over Las Vegas Aces
While New York and Indiana are legitimate contenders in the East, Atlanta is a standout title threat after adding two-time All-Star Angel Reese to play alongside a returning core that includes Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones. The Dream boast tenacious interior rebounding to complement their versatile perimeter players, and that balance will ultimately deliver the franchise its first WNBA championship. − Danielle Lerner
Las Vegas Aces over Indiana Fever
Assuming Caitlin Clark stays healthy, Indiana has all the pieces to contend for a championship this year. However, Las Vegas — powered by A’ja Wilson — has everything it needs to run it back and repeat for the second time in five seasons. − Mitchell Northam
Apr 25, 2026; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts during the first half against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Heading into the 2026 WNBA season, there has been a lot of discourse and debate about where Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark ranks among the best players in the league. One WNBA legend, however, has a pretty clear opinion on the matter.
Diana Taurasi is one of the greatest and most accomplished women’s basketball players of all time. After 20 years in the league, she retired as the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer and is a six-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA. Needless to say, she knows a great player when she sees one.
Taurasi hasn’t always spoken highly of Clark. Ahead of Clark’s rookie season, Taurasi infamously warned the young phenom that “reality is coming” once she gets to the WNBA and begins playing against professional-caliber players.
“Reality is coming,” Taurasi said before Clark entered the league. “There’s levels to this thing. And that’s just life, we all went through it. You see it on the NBA side and you’re going to see it on this side, you look superhuman playing against 18 years olds but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”
It did not take long for Taurasi to change her tune. Less than two months later, Taurasi had nothing but praise for Clark after the rookie posted a triple-double against Taurasi and the Phoenix Mercury.
“I mean it’s amazing. What Caitlin’s been able to do in her short career so far has just been nothing short of remarkable,” Taurasi said back in June of 2024. “And the one thing that I really love about her is she really loves the game. You can tell she’s put the work in.
“Even throughout her short WNBA career, it’s been a lot of pressure, a lot of things thrown at her. She keeps showing up and keeps getting better every single game, so her future is super bright. Being a veteran, being in this league for a long, long time, it’s pretty cool to see that and going into the future.”
Taurasi went as far as to give Clark her stamp of approval when the Fever star chose to wear No. 12 for Team USA – the number Taurasi wore with the team for all six of her gold medals.
“It’s so cool to see Caitlin not only wear the USA jersey, but number 12. I spent two decades wearing that jersey and that number, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to take it and put it on and just have an amazing career,” Taurasi told Sports Illustrated back in March.
Heading into the 2026 season, however, there has been some debate about just how well Clark stacks up against some of the other players in the league. After winning the league’s Rookie of the Year award in a landslide with a record-breaking rookie season, Clark’s stats dipped across the board in her second season, which was also cut short by an injury.
With the dropoff in production last season, coupled with the injury, her reputation around the league seems to have taken a bit of a hit. Clark was left off of The Athletic’s preseason first-team All-WNBA list and was ranked just No. 10 on ESPN’s list of the top-50 players in the WNBA.
Taurasi, however, does not share that skepticism of Clark’s game.
Recently, the women’s basketball legend was asked which WNBA player is currently on Clark’s level. Taurasi had a pretty clear and blunt response: “Nobody.”
While she was once a critic of Clark and her game, Taurasi is now one of Clark’s biggest and most outspoken supporters. And she’s made that very clear.
Sophie Cunningham continues building her profile both on and off the court as the Indiana Fever prepare for one of the most anticipated WNBA seasons in franchise history. Just days before Indiana opens the regular season against the Dallas Wings, Cunningham revealed another major addition to her growing list of partnerships.
The veteran guard announced Wednesday that she has partnered with European Wax Center, adding another national brand collaboration to what has already been a busy offseason. Cunningham shared the news through Instagram alongside a promotional video discussing confidence, preparation and self-care as part of her game-day routine.
The timing of the announcement comes as excitement continues building around the Indiana Fever entering the 2026 season. Indiana’s revamped roster, led by Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, has brought massive national attention to the franchise, and Cunningham has become one of the team’s most recognizable personalities since arriving from Phoenix.
Sophie Cunningham Shares Message About New Partnership
“look good, feel good, play good✨. @europeanwax helping me to feel amazing so I am confident in every situation life throws at me”
In the campaign video, Cunningham explained why confidence and comfort matter to her as a professional athlete.
“When I walk into a game, and everything just feels right, what got me there is all the behind-the-scenes that no one ever gets to see,” Cunningham said. “And that’s what some people need in the world, just a little bit of confidence.”
New Fever teammate Monique Billings is also part of the partnership.
Sophie Cunningham’s Popularity Continues To Grow In Indiana
Cunningham has seen her popularity surge since joining Indiana ahead of the 2025 season. Playing alongside Clark helped introduce her to an even larger audience, but her personality, social media presence and growing brand portfolio have also made her one of the league’s more visible players away from basketball.
In recent months, Cunningham has expanded her reach through partnerships with Adidas, Quest Nutrition and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. She also launched her “Show Me Something” podcast alongside West Wilson.
The Fever re-signed Cunningham on a one-year deal worth $665,000 after injuries cut short the end of her 2025 campaign. Despite suffering an MCL tear late last season, she returned healthy for preseason play and started all three exhibition games for Indiana.
She averaged 10.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists during the preseason while shooting 50 percent from the field.
Fever Ready For Season Opener Against Dallas Wings
Indiana will officially begin the 2026 regular season Saturday afternoon against the Dallas Wings and rookie star Paige Bueckers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
With expectations surrounding the Fever continuing to rise, Cunningham figures to remain an important veteran presence both on the floor and within the team’s growing spotlight entering the new season.
Hailey Van Lith’s time with the Chicago Sky ended far sooner than many expected, but the former first-round pick is already getting a fresh opportunity elsewhere in the WNBA. Just days after being waived by Chicago before the regular season, Van Lith was claimed by the Connecticut Sun, giving the former college star another chance to establish herself at the professional level.
The move quickly became one of the more talked-about roster developments around the league, especially considering Van Lith had already participated in the Sky’s preseason games and media obligations. Chicago’s decision reportedly came down to a “style-of-play preference,” according to ESPN, as first-year head coach Tyler Marsh continues reshaping the franchise’s roster and identity heading into the 2026 season.
While the split raised eyebrows around the WNBA, Connecticut’s response showed there was still strong interest in Van Lith around the league. The Sun moved quickly to bring her aboard, and one of the team’s biggest stars wasted no time welcoming her to the organization.
Brittney Griner sends a message to Hailey Van Lith
Shortly after the Sun claimed Van Lith off waivers, veteran center Brittney Griner posted a public message showing excitement about the addition.
Van Lith also appeared energized by the move. After Connecticut shared the announcement on Instagram, she reposted it to her story and added her own reaction:
“Oh we love the Sun over here.”
The quick support from both Griner and Connecticut fans gave Van Lith a noticeably different atmosphere after what had been a difficult week professionally.
Chicago originally selected Van Lith with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft after a standout college career that included stops at Louisville, LSU and TCU. Despite her popularity and offensive résumé, her transition to the WNBA has been uneven so far.
Van Lith appeared in 29 games during her rookie season and averaged 3.5 points per game. The Sky later chose to replace her roster spot with veteran guard Natasha Cloud, who arrives from the defending champion New York Liberty after averaging 10.1 points and 5.1 assists last season.
The move signals Chicago is prioritizing experience and pace entering Marsh’s first season leading the franchise.
Connecticut could offer a cleaner path for Van Lith
For Connecticut, Van Lith represents a low-risk addition with upside. The Sun are entering a new era with several roster changes and appears focused on blending veteran leadership with younger talent.
That could create a more natural developmental opportunity for Van Lith, who remains one of the most recognizable names from recent women’s college basketball. Her confidence, shot creation and scoring ability made her a star at the NCAA level, and Connecticut now becomes the latest team to see whether those skills can translate more consistently in the WNBA.
The Sun will open the regular season against the defending champion New York Liberty at Barclays Center, where Van Lith could make her first official appearance with her new team.
Sophie Cunningham stands out as one of the most popular WNBA players today. The Indiana Fever star’s tenacity on the court and fashion off of it fuels her rising popularity.
She embraces the enforcer role for her team, which endears her even more to fans. Cunningham has also collaborated with different brands and debuted for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit this month.
The 6-foot-1 guard boasts a huge swimsuit collection. She confidently posts photos of herself in different swimwear on social media. On Wednesday, Cunningham expressed her fondness for them on her Instagram story
“Another thing that I don’t think a lot of people would be surprised about is the amount of swimsuits that I have,” Cunningham said.
“I’m not mad about that. I know you can only wear one swimsuit at a time, but I have a pretty good collection, and I’m proud of that.
“Do I need to buy more? Absolutely not. Will a swim brand want to work with me and be wanting to share more swimsuits? I would say yes. That’s when I feel most alive.
“It’s a little ridiculous, though. Life is all about awareness. I’m realizing that I need to live a more simple life in a swimsuit.”
Sophie Cunningham is ready for the Indiana Fever’s 2026 season
Cunningham and the Fever will open their 2026 regular season on Saturday by hosting the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The 29-year-old is looking to bounce back after being limited to 30 games last year. She dealt with a right knee injury and missed the entire playoffs.
Cunningham, along with Caitlin Clark, is expected to play a significant role for Indiana. The team is one of the favorites to win the title, but health will be a key factor in its championship quest.
The fast-paced offseason presented some unique challenges for each team's front office, with Phoenix Mercury general manager Nick U'Ren summing it up with a this thought: "Few other leagues have gone through what this league just went through in terms of doing everything in a 3-4 week period."
Some teams were able to thrive in the chaos. The Las Vegas Aces (A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray) and New York Liberty (Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones) kept their cores in tact, while the Liberty took it a step further with the addition of three-time All-Star Satou Sabally.
The same can't be said about some rosters that were decimated in free agency, like the Seattle Storm. USA TODAY Sports breaks down the winners and losers of the truncated offseason.
Winners
Dallas Wings
The Dallas Wings finished 10-34 last season, tied for last place in the WNBA standings with the Chicago Sky, despite a sensational Rookie of the Year campaign from No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers. The Wings used its 2026 No. 1 pick to select UConn's Azzi Fudd to improve the team's perimeter shooting after finishing second-to-last in 3-point percentage (30.4) last year. The Wings also allowed the second-most opponent points per game last season and made moves in free agency to shore up their interior with the addition of Alanna Smith, the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, and Jessica Shepard.
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty's shocking first-round playoff exit just one season after winning a title meant the team needed to retool its roster and get healthy. New York was able to do both in the offseason, returning Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, plus adding three-time All-Star forward Satou Sabally. The Liberty also re-signed Betnijah Lany-Hamilton, a former starter for the franchise and a glue player that they will utilize on both ends of the floor. New York also added head coach, Chris DeMarco, who should bring his experience with individual skill development and systems to the team.
The Atlanta Dream had a disappointing end to their 2025 season. After a franchise-best 30 wins in the regular season, Atlanta lost its first-round playoff series to Indiana. Still, the Dream remained confident in their core players and knew they wanted to run it back with the same group. Atlanta emerged from free agency victorious with four of its five starters, plus two-time All-Star Angel Reese, following a trade. That kind of feat is hard to pull off, but Atlanta seems poised to not only redeem its playoff loss but also the top-five defense that helped it cement the franchise as a contender.
Los Angeles Sparks
After missing the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season, things aren't looking so bad for the Sparks heading into the second season of coach Lynne Roberts' tenure. Kelsey Plum — who was fourth in the league in scoring last season — returned to LA on a team-friendly deal, taking a discount to allow the Sparks to bring in other talented players. And the team took advantage of its cap space, bringing in Nneka Ogwumike, who won an MVP and led the Sparks to a championship in 2016. LA gave up Rickea Jackson in a trade to the Chicago Sky, but received two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins in return. The Sparks also re-signed Dearica Hamby, added Erica Wheeler in free agency, and potentially got the steal of the draft by picking up South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson in the second round.
Losers
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm will look completely different after losing five players that accounted for 67.5 points per game last season in Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Brittney Sykes, Gabby Williams and Erica Wheeler. The Storm returned Ezi Magbegor (9.7 ppg) and Dominique Malonga (7.7 ppg), who will both have to take the next step offensively to replace the lost production. Seattle signed Natisha Hiedeman (7.3 ppg) and Stefanie Dolson (3.7 ppg) in free agency, drafted Awa Fam third overall and acquired Flau'jae Johnson in a draft-day trade with the Golden State Valkyries, but losing over 82% of your total scoring will be hard to replace.
Chicago Sky
The core of the Chicago Sky's roster has changed for the third consecutive season, and while the team has managed to add new pieces like Rickea Jackson, Natasha Cloud and Skylar Diggins to help recoup losses like Ariel Atkins and Angel Reese, continuity matters when trying to win a championship. Chicago is also dealing with several injuries to begin the 2026 season, and that's just never good for a team that needs as much time to get as possible. Courney Vandersloot is still out after a season-ending ACL injury, and Azurá Stevens and DiJonai Carrington are also out with unclear injury timelines.
Unlike last season, when the Mercury had two returning players, Phoenix has nine back for this season, including MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper. But Phoenix wasn't able to re-sign Satou Sabally as the three-time All-Star walked in free agency after one season. Sabally was the team's leading scorer last season, and Phoenix hasn't brought in a replacement for her production. Instead, Mercury general manager Nick U'Ren said they will take a by-committee approach. That's easier said than done. The Mercury drafted international prospects Ines Pitarch-Granel and Eszter Ratkai, who won't play this year, and signed French forwards Valériane Ayayi and Noémie Brochant, who are not with the team yet.
Portland Fire
In this expansion franchise's first season, there's simply not a lot on this roster that inspires optimism about the Fire's immediate future. It is largely a collection of players who are either young, unproven or have failed to find a consistent role with past teams in the WNBA. Perhaps the exception is Bridget Carleton, the team's highest-paid player at $1.19 million, but even she has yet to prove she can carry an offense — averaging 9.6 points per game in her best season with the Minnesota Lynx. The hope here is a few of these players — from Haley Jones and Emily Engstler to Megan Gustafson and Sug Sutton — can seize opportunities and have breakout seasons.
After an unprecedented offseason that saw players' salaries leap into new stratospheres, the 2026 WNBA season is mercifully here.
That's a welcome sight for masses of women's basketball enthusiasts, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the best talents the sport has to offer.
A'ja Wilson sits at the top of the ladder after a glint 2025 season that saw her capture nearly all there was to offer in 2025. The Aces supernova dances with eternals. And with four MVPs and three WNBA titles to her name, there's a real case that the South Carolina product can be considered the greatest's player in the sport's history.
Behind her are a cadre of gemstones, stretching from Minnesota and Indiana to the Big Apple and Los Angeles.
So, just who are the best players in the WNBA heading into the 2026 season? Here's what you need to know.
Mitchell enjoyed the best season of her career in 2025, averaging a career-best 20.2 points per game en route to a first-team All-WNBA appearance and a fifth-place finish in MVP voting. She kept her strong displays going in the postseason, bringing Indiana to the cusp of a Finals appearance before going down in Game 5 with rhabdomyolysis, a rare muscle injury that causes one's muscles to break down, leading to muscle death.
Mitchell will likely see her usage rate decrease as Caitlin Clark returns to health. That shouldn't diminish her shine too much, however; she hasn't averaged fewer than 17.8 points per game since 2019.
Boston, too, dazzled in Clark's absence, producing more points and assists than any other campaign in her still-budding career. Her paint passing makes her a unicorn of sorts among paint talents. So too does her defense -- Boston remains one of the sport's most enchanting rim protectors, leaving attackers forlorn as the anchor to Indiana's defense.
Boston was rewarded handsomely for her exploits, taking home the largest contract in WNBA history in terms of total value.
8. Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings
Bueckers was the league's best guard in her maiden season, wowing audiences with her mid-range game, stout off-ball defense and fluid handle. She was the fifth-leading scorer in the league and ranked joint-eighth in assists per game, capturing Rookie of the Year and All-WNBA second team honors.
With Azzi Fudd, Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard in tow, the Wings could put themselves in postseason contention. If so, Bueckers could end up in MVP consideration.
Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
7. Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
Gray might not command the same level of publicity of some of her counterparts on this year's list. But make no mistake; she is a hooper.
The South Carolina alum was the centerpiece to Dream head coach Karl Smesko's setup in 2026, posting career highs in points, rebounds and assists. Furthermore, she secured her first All-WNBA berth, being voted to the first team. A dogged defender and steady offensive performer, Gray lead Atlanta to its best record in franchise history in 2025. With the nucleus of the team back and Angel Reese set to join the ranks, Atlanta should be in contention for an NBA title come 2026.
Stewart had a down season by her standards in 2025, seeing her scoring and rebounding tail off while missing 13 games with injury issues. She still remains one of the sport's finest two-way talents and enjoyed a wondrous offseason, capturing titles in Unrivaled and EuroLeague with the Mist and Fenerbahce, respectively.
However, it's she'll have to settle for a slightly lower position than she commanded this time last year. Her shooting has been trending downward for the better part of three seasons, a worry for a player set to turn 32 during the season.
(Getty Images)
5. Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
Young is undoubtedly one of the best guards in basketball. She showed as much during the playoffs, tallying 20.4 points per game on 49.4% shooting as the Aces captured their third title in four seasons.
The No. 1 pick in the 2019 Draft, Young has made her mark in Sin City in recent seasons. She should continue to shine in Las Vegas' backcourt, taking on greater responsibilities as Chelsea Gray nears the end of her glittering career.
4. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix Mercury
Thomas is one of the most unique players in WNBA history, serving as an offensive hub despite offering little scoring threat from outside of the painted area. The 34-year-old is getting older. But her production continues to dazzle -- she fell less than one assist and less than rebounds short of averaging a triple-double for the whole of a season.
There are valid concerns about the viability of a Thomas-led offense in the playoffs. Still, she broke the record for most assists in a single season and continues to make plays on both ends of the floor. She is more than deserving of top-four recognition.
Clark's 2025 season was effectively a write-off. The Iowa alum played in just 12 games, suffering injuries to her quad, groins and ankle. She fell way short of her 2024 production in the games she did play, seeing her three-point rate dip beneath 30 percent.
And yet, she remains in the same spot she was this time last year. Why? Well, things couldn't get much worse for Clark than they did in 2025. She is the sport's preeminent playmaker and her gravity opens up the floor for the likes of Boston and Mitchell.
All that amounts to a top-three player in the league. Expect Clark to enjoy a far better go of things in the 2026 season.
Collier will miss the first half of the season after undergoing surgery on both of her ankles. When she returns to action, she'll immediately surge to the top of the league's hierarchy -- right where she belongs.
Collier would have won MVP had it not been for Wilson's sizzling campaign. She has a case for the title of "league's most impactful defender" (alongside Wilson) and can produce highlights across the floor. Minnesota's roster looks a lot different to the title-contending unit it constructed in 2024 and 2025. Nevertheless, Collier should shine in Cheryl Reeve's setup, even if the Lynx do take a step back in 2026.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
1. A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Was it ever a surprise? Wilson returns to the top of the charts in 2026. The South Carolina alum brought the Aces back to the mountaintop after a one-year hiatus, hoisting not only her third career title, but also her second career WNBA Finals MVP.
That was one of several accolades Wilson picked up last season. She collected her fourth MVP and fifth All-WNBA first team appearance. She also claimed the Defensive Player of the Year prize, sharing the achievement with Alanna Smith.
Wilson is the best player in the land. She's probably the best player in league history. We can expect her to sit at the same spot on this list in 2027.
Phoenix Mercury players Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, along with third-year coach Nate Tibbetts and his assistant Kristi Toliver, earned votes in the 2026 WNBA GM survey questions released May 5.
The survey tallied responses from the league's 15 general managers, who were asked 42 questions to assess the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves and more, prior to tip-off of the league’s 30th season. GMs weren't allowed to handpick from their own team or personnel.
Among the questions was, "Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?" Thomas came in No. 2 behind A'ja Wilson of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Wilson came in No. 1 in many categories and is a favorite to win her record-fifth league MVP award this season.
When asked to identify the best defensive player, Thomas came in No. 3, behind Wilson (No. 1) and Gabby Williams (No. 2) of the Golden State Valkyries. Thomas tied with the Seattle Storm's Ezi Magbegor at No. 3 for best interior defender. She also tied with Williams for second as the league's most versatile player, behind No. 1 Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty.
Toliver is tied for No. 2 with Indiana's Briann January for Best Assistant Coach.
Copper received votes in the best perimeter defender and most athletic player questions.
For coach who's the "best motivator/manager of people," Tibbetts finished in a three-way tie for No. 2 with the Indiana Fever's Stephanie White and the Golden State Valkyries' 2025 Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase, trailing the Aces' Becky Hammon at No. 1.
Tibbetts also is No. 2 for, ''Which coach runs the best offense?'' behind the Minnesota Lynx's Cheryl Reeve. He is tied with Nakase for No. 3 in, "Which coach makes the best in-game adjustments?"
After the Mercury training camp ends May 7, they will travel to face the Aces in their season opener on Saturday, May 9. The game will air at 12:30 p.m. (MST) on ABC. The Mercury were eliminated in a four-game sweep by the Aces in last year's WNBA Finals.
The WNBA’s future is loaded with star power, but general managers have a new favorite player to build around.
In the 2026 WNBA GM Survey, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers was voted the No. 1 player GMs would sign if they were starting a franchise today. Bueckers received 33 percent of the vote, finishing ahead of Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark and Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson, who tied for second at 20 percent.
That’s a notable shift from last year’s survey, when Clark led the same category with 50 percent of the vote.
Why WNBA GMs picked Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark
This does not mean Clark has fallen out of the WNBA’s elite tier. She still received votes as a franchise-building player, finished second to Chelsea Gray in the “best point guard” category and was one of the few players mentioned in the MVP race.
But the survey shows how quickly Bueckers’ stock has climbed entering her second WNBA season.
Bueckers’ case is easy to understand:
She gives Dallas a true franchise centerpiece.
She can score, create and play off the ball.
Her game fits with almost any roster construction.
GMs also voted Dallas as the team that made the best offseason moves.
The Wings were picked as the WNBA’s most improved team and most fun team to watch.
Bueckers is not just being viewed in a vacuum. GMs appear to be buying the entire Dallas picture, from the roster moves to the young core to the entertainment value.
Clark remains one of the league’s biggest stars and most dangerous offensive engines. Wilson remains the safest superstar in the sport and was picked by 60 percent of GMs to win MVP.
Still, this category is about one question: If a GM could start from scratch, who would they choose?
In 2026, the answer was Bueckers.
That alone should add even more attention to every Wings-Fever matchup this season.
On Monday, The New York Post reported that Ionescu, who injured her left ankle during a 79-67 victory over the Connecticut Sun, is expected to miss at least two weeks. The Liberty star had an MRI on Monday, revealing a left foot injury. Ionescu, who reportedly avoided "significant injury," is expected to be reevaluated in two weeks.
The Liberty guard drove for a layup around the 7:40 mark of the third quarter and landed awkwardly, rolling her left ankle. Ionescu's feet appeared to get tangled with Sun forward Diamond Miller. After the matchup, Ionescu was seen with a boot on her left leg.
"(Things are) positive right now," Liberty coach Chris DeMarco said of Ionescu's injury postgame. "We're just going to do the test tomorrow, and that's the only update I have."
"Obviously, it wasn't good to see," Liberty center Jonquel Jones said. "Our fingers are crossed, and we'll just kind of handle it as we get more information."
Ionescu finished her day with six points on 2-of-8 shooting in just under 16 minutes of play. She played in 38 games last season for New York, averaging 18.2 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds.
Ionescu hurt the same left ankle during her rookie year, which cut her campaign short. She needed season-ending surgery. In 2026, Ionescu did not play in Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 professional league, due to an injury sustained during the 2025 WNBA season.
The Liberty, who won their first WNBA championship in 2024, had injury issues all of last season and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Phoenix Mercury. Jones (ankle) and Breanna Stewart (knee) missed 13 regular-season games each, while Ionescu (neck, toe) missed six. Former Liberty forward Nyara Sabally played in just 17 games due to a lingering knee injury.
New York will open the 2026 regular season hosting the Sun at Barclays Center on Friday, May 8 (7:30 p.m. ET, ION).
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