After an unprecedented off-season, the WNBA regular season has returned. Where does each team stand as action tips off?
The 2023 WNBA off-season will go down in the history books as league-altering. Multiple former MVPs changed teams, forming super teams in Vegas and New York. Another former MVP announced that she is fully healthy again. Brittney Griner returned after her wrongful detainment.
On top of the talent shift of players already in the league, the 2023 WNBA Draft brought in franchise-altering talents like Aliyah Boston, Diamond Miller, and Haley Jones.
Trades sent players to new franchises for the first time in their careers as teams desperately looked to open cap space for free agents. Legends retired or transitioned to sideline roles. Coaches were fired, hired, or swapped teams.
Now, after such an incredibly busy off-season, the regular season is here. Rosters have been finalized. The dust has (temporarily) settled. Let's take a look at how the league stacks up on opening night.
2023 WNBA Power Rankings: preseason edition
1. Las Vegas Aces
2022 results: 26-10, won WNBA Finals
The reigning champs come back better than they left. Vegas added former champions Candace Parker and Alysha Clark to their rotation in free agency, solidifying them as the best roster in the league. Can they become the third team in WNBA history to repeat?
2. New York Liberty
2022 results: 16-20, lost in first round
After an unbelievable off-season, the Liberty vaulted from "young and upcoming" to "superteam." New York added former MVPs Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart and 2021 champion Courtney Vandersloot to a roster in need of top-tier options. The Liberty have never won a WNBA title, despite being one of the league's original franchises. Is this the year they finally bring home the trophy?
3. Washington Mystics
2022 results: 22-14, lost in first round
The Mystics had a busy off-season by their standards. Mike Thibault transitioned to a front office role, leaving his son, Eric, in the head coach position. Alysha Clark, a member of the Mystics' 2019 championship team, also moved on to join the Aces. Washington responded by bringing back former point guard Kristi Toliver and signing defensive stalwart Brittney Sykes. Oh, yeah, and Elena Delle Donne says she is healthy enough to avoid load management this year. The Mystics have everything they need to compete for another title.
4. Connecticut Sun
2022 results: 25-11, lost in WNBA Finals
The new-look Sun look similar enough to last year's Finals team to think they won't experience much drop-off despite key losses and a new head coach. New coach Stephanie White takes over a veteran roster that makes more sense than previous iterations: it has more spacing, more creation, and still elite defense. This team will be a headache for opponents night in and night out.
5. Phoenix Mercury
2022 results: 15-21, lost in first round
After a tough season in 2022, the Mercury are back at full(ish?) strength for 2023. Brittney Griner is home and back on the court, and Diana Taurasi says she's in great shape. Skylar Diggins-Smith may miss part of the season on maternity leave but could be back soon. After discovering small ball last year, the Mercury stocked up on floor spacers around the big three, adding Michaela Onyenwere, Moriah Jefferson, and Evina Westbrook.
6. Atlanta Dream
2022 results: 14-22, missed playoffs
The Dream feel primed for ascension this year. After four rebuilding seasons, it finally feels like they have a strong core in place to shift gears. Led by reigning Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard and newly-acquired Allisha Gray, the Dream project as a scary defensive team that should make significant strides on offense this season. They have a great blend of youth and experience, but will it be enough to return to the playoffs?
7. Dallas Wings
2022 results: 18-18, lost in first round
Dallas has been slowly trending upward over the last few seasons. 2022 was the franchise's first .500 or better season since moving to Dallas. The Wings made quite a few moves this off-season, moving on from veterans Allisha Gray, Marina Mabrey, Kayla Thornton, and head coach Vickie Johnson. The moves brought Diamond DeShields and Natasha Howard to Dallas, and opened up space for the team to re-sign Teaira McCowan. The overall roster fit looks questionable on paper, but the undeniable talent could help the Wings finally get over the .500 mark.
8. Los Angeles Sparks
2022 results: 13-23, missed playoffs
The Sparks are looking to return to glory. After a tumultuous few seasons, the franchise has brought in Curt Miller to restore order on the court, and Karen Bryant to handle the off-court business. The two revamped almost the entire roster in free agency, signing Azurá Stevens and trading for Jasmine Thomas and Dearica Hamby. The team kept both Ogwumike sisters, Lexie Brown, and Jordin Canada around, too, maintaining the continuity they displayed last year.
9. Minnesota Lynx
2022 results: 14-22, missed playoffs
The Lynx enter a new era in 2023. Sylvia Fowles is gone, Maya Moore officially retired for good, and their 11-year playoff streak has come to an end. Minnesota already has the pieces in place for their eventual return to the playoffs, though. Franchise cornerstone Napheesa Collier is back after playing just four games in 2022. Aerial Powers and Jessica Shepard are still around after strong seasons. New addition Tiffany Mitchell and rookie Diamond Miller are poised to contribute. While they may not be playoff bound, Minnesota is building something that could be special in a few years.
10. Indiana Fever
2022 results: 5-31, missed playoffs
Is it a hot take to not have the Fever at 12? It shouldn't be this year. For the first time in a long time, the Fever have direction and the talent to match. Aliyah Boston fits as their cornerstone piece and future superstar, with NaLyssa Smith, Kelsey Mitchell, and Lexie Hull fitting around her and forming what may become one of the best supporting casts in the league. Erica Wheeler's return adds a great veteran presence from the point guard spot, as well. Sure, they won't be a contender this year, but the pieces are in place to finally be out of the basement.
11. Chicago Sky
2022 results: 26-10, lost in semifinals
The Sky have officially blown it up, just two years after their triumphant championship run. Kahleah Copper is the lone remaining starter from that team, and looks to lead the new-look squad to whatever heights she can. James Wade rebuilt the team with talented veterans, adding Courtney Williams, Marina Mabrey, Izzy Harrison, and Elizabeth Williams, but moved a lot of future assets to do it. Will his investment pay off, or will the Sky come falling down?
12. Seattle Storm
2022 results: 22-14, lost in semifinals
Like the Sky, the Storm have lost almost all of their core from their 2020 championship team. Sue Bird retired after twenty seasons. Breanna Stewart went home to New York. Jewell Loyd, Mercedes Russell, Ezi Magbegor, and Sami Whitcomb are the lone players that remain from the 2020 squad. Unlike Chicago, the Storm have embraced it, bringing in young, talented players to fill out their roster as they search for the next star. Seattle's seven-year playoff streak may come to an end, but they will be getting a jump start on their rebuild by giving their young players plenty of opportunities to prove themselves.
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