EASTERN CONFERENCE
Atlanta Dream
Dream all you like, but Atlanta are going nowhere. Just like their big-three of Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and now Cheyenne Parker-Tyus. Joined by Jordin Canada, Nia Coffey and legend Tina Charles from the off-season, the super team race is on. As is the future, led by ruling Aussie rookie Nyadiew Puoch. The A is about to usher in a new era.
Chicago Sky
Just a few years removed. The game has changed since Chicago were champs. Franchise and famous faces are long gone and now Finals MVP of their champagne campaign, Kahleah Copper, needs to be replaced too. Not to mention one of the Williams (Courtney) names they bared on their back.
They still have Elizabeth (Williams) and Marina Mabrey, and they also welcomed back Diamond DeShields after some time in Dallas. The Windy City future belongs to LSU’s Angel Reese, though. Not to mention Kamilla Cardoso, with the third pick in the 2024 draft. We have no idea how Angel fell to the seventh spot, but her potential is sky-high.
Connecticut Sun
Like a clear sky on a Sunday morning, it’s clear to see the Sun shines through DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas and Tiffany Hayes. Losing their connect in Brionna Jones hurts Connecticut, but drafting Leila Lacan out of France with the last pick of the top ten in this year’s draft will help heal all that. The Sun came close to winning it all a few schedules ago. There’s still a chance of reign.
Indiana Fever
Don’t expect much out of Indiana this year. Of course, we’re joking. You can’t even say that about the Pacers anymore. Speeding through the NBA Playoffs in an all-star year behind Tyrese Haliburton. On the Fever’s court, you have the two top picks in the last two drafts. Big Aliyah Boston and someone called Caitlin Clark. With Bird and Magic like exposure to the women’s game that everybody watches.
Get ready for more records to be broken down the road as Indiana look to race to the playoffs and maybe even take a trip to the promised land. Having the likes of Erica Wheeler and Katie Lou Samuelson in reserve will sure help, the best fuel-change in Indy history. Pole position is set.
New York Liberty
With all the big rookies and free-agent signings highlighting the W’s off-season, don’t forget the NY Liberty are still the closest to the LV Aces crown. They still deal in dynasty ready status behind stars like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (congratulations are in order for another Eastern Conference player just married) and veteran gunner Courtney Vandersloot.
The future is also fresh, with Marquesha Davis leading the draft board. Expect a rematch of last year’s finals as New York and Las Vegas become the WNBA’s version of the Celtics and Lakers in these marquee cities. But the same result? I wouldn’t bet against the Aces, but then again, isn’t it time for justice for the Liberty?
Washington Mystics
As long as Washington still have Elena Delle Donne, there remains a chance they can capture it all again. But the closer EDD gets to the hall, the narrower the Mystics’ window gets. That’s why drafting Aaliyah Edwards with the sixth slot was huge for D.C.’s future down the line.
The Mystics still mystify you with talent. Brittney Sykes answered more Defensive Player of the Year snubs than Anthony Davis by adding to her offensive repertoire (way to take offence). Ariel Atkins, Stefanie Dolson, Myisha Hines-Allen and the other Samuleson sister (Karlie), now in this conference, bolster the roster. But just like Karlie or Katie Lou from downtown with the game on the line, the time is now.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Dallas Wings
With rookies Jacy Sheldon (fifth) and Carla Leite (ninth) both taken in the top ten of the 2024 draft class, you can’t stop these maverick top guns. Only Los Angeles drafted better out west. Add that to the tails of the high-flying Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan and Crystal Dangerfield, and the most “super” team this year may be the most balanced one. As they should be. Watch the Wings score and soar as they scorch the nets. They have some hot ones.
Las Vegas Aces
In this wilder West, we have a warning for Seattle. There’s another Storm coming. The MVPs, DPOYs and rings of the great A’ja Wilson just added some silver hair like the X-Men hero made famous by Halle Berry. Now it’s about to get animated, like Marvel rebooting that famous cartoon from the 90s. Get ready to hum along to their theme tune.
Becky Hammon still leads the best show in maybe all basketball. Drafting well to give Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young and Kiah Stokes even more help. Those who drop chips in casinos must be excited about the games to come this year. The Seattle Storm super team in the Western Conference Finals? A rematch with the New York Liberty for the big one? Who’s winning the Commissioner’s Cup? Because when it comes to the WNBA championship, if you think Vegas won’t ace a three-peat, then you must be looking at a mirage.
Los Angeles Sparks
Like Lisa Leslie, former Los Angeles Sparks legend Candace Parker joins her in iconic infamy now she’s hanging them up. Nneka Ogwumike will one day accompany them too, retiring her jersey to the rafters with all those banners. Before all that, one half of the sister, sister double-act (Chiney is gone too) has broken the Sparks heart by signing with Seattle. If that didn’t hurt enough, star Jordin Canada and the sharpshooting Samuelson sisters are purple and gold memories too.
Good thing the Sparks still start with Dearica Hamby, Lexie Brown, Layshia Clarendon and Rae Burrell. Adding Canadian Kia Nurse surely soothes too. But it’s in the draft where LA did damage. Sure, they missed out on Caitlin Clark, but with the next pick they selected Cameron Brink second. Then went fourth with Rickea Jackson. With sophomore star Zia Cooke, the Sparks are lighting the fuse of something special that just requires a little seasoning. Let ’em cook.
Minnesota Lynx
One of the most legendary franchises in the W have been taking L’s over the last few years. Even if they can celebrate the careers of retired legends and others entering the hall. But enough is enough, you all know the names of the greats, their legacy is cemented in retired jerseys, record books, banners and surely statues to be crafted.
The time is now. It reads, “look to the future.” And no further than the eight wonder of draftee Alissa Pili, whose ready to deliver promise with the pill. Napheesa Collier and Bridget Carleton are bound for a breakout, and now the Lynx are ready to sharpen their claws again. They’re only built for Cuban cigars.
Phoenix Mercury
Are the Mercury falling? Are you kidding me? Just because the Suns set on a playoff disappointment that had Bradley Beal damned, doesn’t mean the Mercury are. Sure, they lost Skylar Diggins-Smith to Seattle, but that seemed like a foregone conclusion, waiting for the other sneaker to drop.
Instead of hitting the draft, they made pitches to big free agents like champion Kahleah Copper and the sky-high shooting of Natasha Cloud. Now the Mercury have risen to heaven with plenty in reserve from old favourites (Sophie Cunningham) to new (Rebecca Allen). Better than ever, Brittney Griner is well and truly back after overcoming it all, and GOAT Diana Taurasi is talking her ‘ish about Caitlin Clark. This is the stacked team that doesn’t give a damn about your one.
Seattle Storm
Let’s finish strong with one of the best ones, though. When fellow GOAT Sue Bird retired and then superstar Breanna Stewart left for New York, people thought it was over for Seattle like the Sonics. Then a new super team stormed back in an off-season they birthed for their big 25th anniversary in the W.
Like Wade in Miami when decisions were made, ‘Gold Mamba’ Jewell Loyd finally has some help. We just mentioned that Skylar Diggins-Smith just left Phoenix. Well, here she is. And if that wasn’t enough, former Los Angeles Spark Nneka Ogwumike is now in Emerald City to bring some Hollywood to the Pacific Northwest. Sure, their depth chart could do with some needling, but Seattle are in their own space. Oh, and Bird is back in an ownership position. Outstanding. Seattle skies high as it flies again.
