2026 WNBA predictions: Do Aces, A’ja Wilson have competition?

After a chaotic offseason during which a new collective bargaining agreement was agreed to only 51 days in the past, the WNBA season is lastly again.

Players, groups and followers have not had a lot time to catch their breath, with a two-team growth draft, free company for over 100 gamers, the 2026 WNBA draft and coaching camp all held inside the previous 5 weeks. But, lastly, basketball is again on the forefront of the league, which is able to rejoice its thirtieth season this summer season.

All 15 groups, together with Toronto and Portland, will likely be in motion on opening weekend, with three video games (Connecticut at New York, Washington at Toronto, Golden State at Seattle) slated for Friday. In Saturday’s doubleheader on ABC, the Dallas Wings tackle the Indiana Fever (1 p.m. ET), adopted by a 2025 Finals rematch between reigning champ Las Vegas and Phoenix (3:30 p.m. ET).

Before the season formally ideas, ESPN’s consultants make some last predictions, and award picks.

Jump to: Playoff and award picks

Will the Aces repeat?

Alexa Philippou: The Aces confirmed final yr that they did not even have to be the perfect crew for the primary three months of the season — they usually might nonetheless win all of it. So it is robust to select towards them, particularly given the return of their huge 4 of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd. They additionally introduced again key gamers NaLyssa Smith and Dana Evans, and retooled the bench with the additions of Chennedy Carter, Stephanie Talbot and Brianna Turner. Carter hasn’t been capable of stick to a roster within the WNBA, but when coach Becky Hammon and the Aces’ veterans can carry out the perfect in her on the courtroom and within the locker room, she might actually be a difference-maker.

Michael Voepel: Expect a repeat. Part of what makes the Aces so good is how hungry their core group — Wilson, Young, Gray — and Hammon stay. No malaise or complacency has set in, regardless of all of the success. And the core group’s mindset units the tone for the franchise. Consider Loyd, who had began for nearly all of her profession earlier than signing with the Aces, then willingly got here off the bench for Hammon as a result of she thought it was the perfect technique for the crew. Her determination confirmed a maturity, and a respect for her teammates. That’s what the core group has fostered.

Kareem Copeland: Signs level to sure. The Aces return the one four-time MVP in league historical past, who’s at present in her prime and carving out a legacy that might embody being referred to as the best of all time. The top-six level scorers are again. Loyd took some time to seek out her groove in her first season exterior of Seattle, however finally carved out the right position. Gray stays the perfect pure level guard within the league. Carter was final seen averaging 17.5 factors for the 2024 Chicago Sky. It can be irresponsible to record Hammon exterior of the highest three coaches within the league — and he or she’s in all probability not No. 3. Motivation and well being are actually the one questions. Can Vegas maintain that very same starvation, and may it keep away from the numerous accidents that affected the Lynx, Liberty and Fever in recent times? History is not on the Aces’ facet; solely the Houston Comets have received 4 in 5 years. On the flip facet, this can be a historic roster, with essentially the most dominant participant within the sport.

If not Las Vegas, which crew is your choose to win the 2026 title?

Copeland: If Satou Sabally can keep wholesome, the Liberty have the perfect quartet to rival that of the Aces. Two-time MVP Breanna Stewart performed solely 70.5% of video games final season due to a bone bruise in her proper knee; she had a scope in March. That’s the bottom share of video games she has performed in a season, not counting 2019, which she sat out fully. Stewart additionally matched a profession low in factors per sport (18.3) and had profession lows in rebounds (6.5) and 3-point share (24.1%) final season. A quartet of a wholesome Sabally and Stewart plus Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones is an issue for any opponent. Plus, two-time all-defense choice, 2020 Most Improved Player and 2021 All-Star Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is again.

Philippou: The Liberty might absolutely make a run, however there are some unknowns as they create in new coach Chris DeMarco and a brand new system. History exhibits us that within the WNBA, it’s extremely uncommon for a brand new coach to win a championship — Hammon in 2022 is the one one in league historical past to win a title in her debut season as a head coach.

Voepel: From the expertise, expertise and championship know-how views, the Aces and Liberty are the favorites. But if all of the items fall into place for Atlanta or Indiana, these groups might contend for the title as effectively. Both are creating their core teams. If both hits their stride within the playoffs, they might have a championship run in them.

Who is your preseason choose to win MVP?

Copeland: A’ja Wilson is the perfect participant within the league, however the Aces wanted her to common an unbelievable 26.1 factors and 12 rebounds throughout a 16-0 stretch to shut the common season, after the crew began 14-14. She should not have to shoulder that sort of load this yr. The Aces, Liberty, Dream and Fever have a lot upper-echelon expertise that they could cancel one another out a bit when it comes to the MVP race. But you understand which crew wants its finest participant to have an otherworldly season to stay a contender? Phoenix. Alyssa Thomas has been a top-five vote-getter every of the previous three seasons, and the Mercury really feel a bit underappreciated coming into this season, regardless of taking part in within the 2025 Finals. Thomas would look to hitch Cynthia Cooper as the one gamers to be named MVP at 34 years outdated.

Philippou: Wilson confirmed why she’s clearly finest participant final season after catapulting the Aces to their third title in 4 years. She’s my preseason choose, however I additionally would not be shocked to see a MVP-caliber marketing campaign from Stewart, who after coping with accidents all through 2025 is lastly wholesome. From her Unrivaled season and preseason WNBA motion, she additionally appears to be taking part in a few of her finest basketball.

Voepel: Similar to my reply on why the Aces are once more the title favorites: Wilson’s need to be the perfect is relentless, and he or she’s nonetheless in her prime. She turns 30 in August, and a fifth MVP trophy is more likely to be on her mantle not too lengthy afterward. If all of them even match there.

Who is your preseason choose for Rookie of the Year?

Copeland: In Minnesota, Olivia Miles has the right mixture of expertise and alternative. The No. 2 choose begins from day one on a crew that is ready for Napheesa Collier to get wholesome and likewise misplaced Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Bridget Carleton and Natisha Hiedeman throughout free company. Miles may have been the No. 1 choose had Dallas not already taken reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers in the identical spot final yr. In her last school season, Miles averaged a career-high 19.6 factors, capturing 48.1% from the sphere and 35.1% from past the arc whereas producing quite a few triple-doubles. Even 73% of league GMs predicted she’d win the award.

Voepel: As Kareem stated, Miles will get a ton of courtroom time and be allowed to play by means of any rising pains. The automobile keys are in her fingers. Look for her to turn into the second No. 2 choose in WNBA historical past to win this award. The solely participant to do it beforehand is Elena Delle Donne in 2013, then with Chicago.

What’s the one factor you’re most trying ahead to seeing this season?

Copeland: The level guards. Caitlin Clark and Bueckers earnestly start to stake their declare because the league’s future on the place. Chelsea Gray continues to remind everybody — together with the kids — why she’s nicknamed “Point Gawd.” Miles makes a run at Rookie of the Year whereas Natasha Cloud performs with an excellent larger chip on her shoulder after feeling she was disrespected in free company. We additionally lastly get to see 2025 No. 6 choose Georgia Amoore play her first regular-season video games after tearing her ACL in camp as a rookie. Ionescu fills the position in New York when she will get wholesome.

Philippou: With new coach Jose Fernandez and a revamped roster now that includes Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, Dallas was probably the most thrilling groups to look at this preseason. And there are different optimistic indicators the Wings are able to take an enormous step ahead: Two-thirds of the league’s GMs predicted they’re going to be essentially the most improved crew this yr. After a stellar rookie marketing campaign, Bueckers is poised to thrive much more, with elevated expertise surrounding her and an improved system during which to function.

Voepel: New faces in new locations — though, in Nneka Ogwumike‘s case, she’s again in Los Angeles, the place she spent the primary 12 seasons of her profession. Can her return after two years with Seattle assist the Sparks finish their five-season playoff drought? Can her former Storm teammate Skylar Diggins get Chicago again to the postseason after lacking the previous two years? How huge of an affect will Satou Sabally have on an already gifted New York crew? And how will Angel Reese slot in with Atlanta? Then there’s the rookies. How effectively will the document six UCLA draftees play? Of the rookies who weren’t lottery picks, who will stand out essentially the most? Many eyes will likely be on Raven Johnson, who might show to be an enormous steal, at No. 10, for Indiana.

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Who is your choose for MVP?

Kendra Andrews: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Kareem Copeland: Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix

Charlie Creme: Breanna Stewart, New York

Sean Hurd: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Eric Moody: Caitlin Clark, Indiana

Alexa Philippou: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Andre Snelling: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Michael Voepel: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Who is your choose for Rookie of the Year?

Andrews: Olivia Miles, Minnesota

Copeland: Olivia Miles, Minnesota

Creme: Awa Fam, Seattle

Hurd: Olivia Miles, Minnesota

Moody: Olivia Miles, Minnesota

Philippou: Olivia Miles, Minnesota

Snelling: Azzi Fudd, Dallas

Voepel: Olivia Miles, Minnesota

Who is your choose for Defensive Player of the Year?

Andrews: Aliyah Boston, Indiana

Copeland: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Creme: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Hurd: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Moody: Aliyah Boston, Indiana

Philippou: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Snelling: Angel Reese, Atlanta

Voepel: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas

Who is your choose for Most Improved Player?

Andrews: Dominique Malonga, Seattle

Copeland: Rickea Jackson, Chicago

Creme: Jade Melbourne, Seattle

Hurd: Leila Lacan, Connecticut

Moody: Cameron Brink, Los Angeles

Philippou: Dominique Malonga, Seattle

Snelling: Rickea Jackson, Chicago

Voepel: Dominique Malonga, Seattle

Which 5 gamers will make the All-WNBA first crew?

Andrews: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Breanna Stewart, New York; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Caitlin Clark, Indiana; Paige Bueckers, Dallas

Copeland: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Paige Bueckers, Dallas; Allisha Gray, Atlanta; Caitlin Clark, Indiana

Creme: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Breanna Stewart, New York; Paige Bueckers, Dallas; Jackie Young, Las Vegas

Hurd: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Breanna Stewart, New York; Paige Bueckers, Dallas; Caitlin Clark, Indiana

Moody: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Breanna Stewart, New York; Caitlin Clark, Indiana; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Aliyah Boston, Indiana

Philippou: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Breanna Stewart, New York; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Paige Bueckers, Dallas; Caitlin Clark, Indiana

Snelling: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Breanna Stewart, New York; Caitlin Clark, Indiana; Rhyne Howard, Atlanta

Voepel: A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas; Breanna Stewart, New York; Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix; Caitlin Clark, Indiana; Jackie Young, Las Vegas

Which eight groups will make the playoffs?

Andrews: Las Vegas, New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Indiana, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Golden State

Copeland: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana, Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, Minnesota

Creme: New York, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indiana, Phoenix, Minnesota, Seattle, Los Angeles

Hurd: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix

Moody: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix

Philippou: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Minnesota

Snelling: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana, Phoenix, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Dallas

Voepel: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Dallas, Minnesota

Which 4 groups will attain the WNBA semifinals?

Andrews: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana

Copeland: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana

Creme: New York, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indiana

Hurd: Las Vegas, Atlanta, Indiana, New York

Moody: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana

Philippou: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana

Snelling: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana

Voepel: Las Vegas, New York, Atlanta, Indiana

Which groups will meet within the WNBA Finals?

Andrews: Las Vegas, Atlanta

Copeland: Las Vegas, New York

Creme: New York, Atlanta

Hurd: Las Vegas, New York

Moody: Las Vegas, Indiana

Philippou: Las Vegas, New York

Snelling: Las Vegas, New York

Voepel: Las Vegas, New York

Which crew will win the 2026 WNBA title?

Andrews: Las Vegas

Copeland: New York

Creme: New York

Hurd: Las Vegas

Moody: Las Vegas

Philippou: Las Vegas

Snelling: Las Vegas

Voepel: Las Vegas