2026 WNBA Preview
The WNBA begins its 30th season on Friday and the league is stronger than ever, thanks to two expansion teams in the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. They also reached a new CBA in the offseason where players will now make competitive salaries with 12 player rosters in this 15-team league. The NY Liberty (+220) are the favorites to win the WNBA title, while Portland (+40000) and Toronto (+20000) come in after an expansion draft, but they aren’t in the bottom of the picks according to Draft Kings. That would be the Connecticut Sun (+50000).
Let’s start with a short preview of each team with last year’s record and their odds to win the title
Atlanta Dream (31-16 SU, 29-17-1 ATS, 21-24-2 O/U in 2025). Odds to win WNBA: +850
The Dream add 6-3 forward Angel Reese, but lost Briona Jones to knee surgery to the early part of the season. Reese has to finish better around the rim, as she made just 42% from the field in her first two seasons. She’s the best rebounder in the league, averaging 12.6 last season. Jones averaged 12.8ppg and 7.3rpg last season.
Chicago Sky (10-34 SU, 21-23 ATS, 21-22-1 O/U in 2025). Odds to win WNBA: +10000
This squad is a mess right now after going 0-2 in the preseason and with Skylar Diggins, Rikea Jackson, and rookie Gabriela Jaquez getting playing time. Tyler Marsh takes over for Teresa Weatherspoon as head coach. Diggins, DiJonai Carrington, and Jacy Sheldon arrive along with Natasha Cloud. Diggins and Cloud give the team two veteran point guards who can also play defense. They also may lose an edge on the boards with Angel Reese traded to Atlanta.
Connecticut Sun (11-33 SU, 23-21 ATS, 21-21-2 O/U in 2025). Odds to win WNBA: +50000
The Sun add 6-8 Brittney Griner but lost star Marina Mabrey in the expansion draft. They added Diamond Miller via trade, which should help. This team is still about their young stars: Saniya Rivers, Aneesha Morrow, Leila Lacan and Aaliyah Edwards. They also just picked up Hailey Van Lith, who was picked up off waivers because Chicago waived her to make room for Natasha Cloud. Could be another long season for the Sun.
Dallas Wings (10-34 SU, 20-24 ATS, 24-20 O/U in 2025). Odds to win WNBA: +3000
Dallas, just like the Mavs, had the first pick of the draft and they took Azzi Fudd from UConn to join former teammates Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale in the starting lineup. First-year coach Jose Fernandez will have a lot of talent to deal with, adding Jessica Shepard and Alana Smith from Minnesota to add to the frontcourt. This should be a team to watch.
Golden State Valkyries (23-23 SU, 28-17-1 ATS, 17-29 O/U in 2025). WNBA Odds: +4500
The Valkryies are in their second season after making the playoffs in their first year (a first in the W). They landed Gabby Williams in free agency, which should improve one of the best defenses in the league. He led the league with 2.3 steals per game. The biggest concern is up front, where they lost Monique Billings and Temi Fagbenle.
Indiana Fever (28-24 SU, 27-25 ATS, 24-28 O/U in 2025). WNBA Odds: +450
Caitlin Clark returns from an injury-prone season, but they had a chance to go to the Final if star Kelsey Mitchell hadn’t gotten injured. Clark and Mitchell are the best backcourt in the game right now. They add Raven Johnson, Monique Billings and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough to improve a defense that ranked eight in points allowed per game and ninth in field goal percentage defense (44.9).
Las Vegas Aces (37-17, 28-25-1 ATS, 27-27 O/U in 2025). WNBA Odds: +390
The Aces have the best player in the game in A’ja Wilson, the 6-6 center, who won her third championship trophy and second WNBA Finals MVP award. The Aces also have Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray, who are great players in their own right. That’s not to forget Jewell Lloyd, a six-time All-Star and three-time all-WNBA player. They will be tough to beat again.
Los Angeles Sparks (21-23 SU, 18-25-1ATS, 27-16-1 O/U in 2025). WNBA Odds: +1400
The Spark were 2-0 in the preseason, but didn’t really play anybody. At least they played better defense, which was a problem last season as they ranked last in allowing 88.2 points. The good news is that 6-4 center Cameron Brink is back to help with the rim protection. They also add Ariel Atkins and Nneka Ogwumike to improve their D.
Minnesota Lynx (37-13 SU, 27-22-1 ATS, 25-23-2 O/U in 2025). WNBA Odds: +800
The Lynx had a rough offseason, losing starters Bridget Carleton to the expansion draft and Alanna Smith to free agency. They also lost star Napheesa Collier until June due to ankle surgery. Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams are back, and they have an elite coaching staff led by Cheryl Reeve.
NY Liberty (28-19 SU, 16-29-2 ATS, 18-28-1 O/U in 2025). WNBA Odds: +220
If anybody can challenge Las Vegas, it’s the Liberty. Breanna Stewart is back after knee issues hampered her. New coach Chris DeMarco will also have Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu. They also get Betnijah Laney-Hamilton back from missing 2025 due to injury.
Phoenix Mercury (32-21 SU, 27-25-1 ATS, 23-28-2 O/U). WNBA Odds: +3000
Phoenix needed to get young after losing Diana Taurasi (retired) and Brittney Griner, who left in free agency. Veteran forward Alyssa Thomas arrives to join Kahleah Cooper, who averaged 18 points in 18.7 minutes per game in the preseason. If she can stay healthy, this will be a very dangerous team.
Portland Fire (Expansion team). WNBA Odds: +40000
Not a lot of expectations here for the Fire in their first season. They struggled in the preseason but that’s to be expected. Bridget Carleton was their first pick in the expansion draft and they also signed veteran guard Karlie Samuelson in free agency.
Seattle Storm (24-23 SU, 19-28 ATS, 25-22 O/U in 2025). WNBA Odds: +25000
Seattle brings in No. 3 pick Awa Fam to join last year’s No. 2 pick Dominique Malonga in what basically is a rebuild. That’s because they lost their top five scorers in free agency (82.2% of their scoring from last season). Guard Fla’jae Johnson arrives from LSU as a high-scoring guard, and she showed promise in preseason by scoring 20 points in her second game.
Toronto Tempo (Expansion team). WNBA Odds: +4000
Toronto has a chance to be better than Portland because they have a solid backcourt led by Brittney Sykes, Marina Mabrey and Kia Nurse. They also selected Kiki Rice of UCLA with the sixth pick. With former New York coach Sandy Brondello at the helm, they could surprise some.
Washington Mystics (16-28 SU, 21-23 ATS, 19-24-1 O/U). WNBA Odds: +15000
Washington, like the Wizards, has been stuck in a long rebuild. They are run by Wizards Team President Michael Winger, who took over for Mike and Eric Thibault. Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen had an outstanding rookie season and will be joined by 6-5 center Shakira Austin. They also added 6-7 center Lauren Betts with the No. 4 pick and 6-4 Angela Dugalic with the No. 9 pick, so this will be a very big team.
Picks:
NY Liberty over Las Vegas Aces in the Finals.
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