The WNBA season is getting closer, as the preseason is underway. Teams are starting to get their final rosters set before the regular season festivities begin, and in what was an active offseason some teams have improved significantly. Or, on the other hand, there are teams that have taken a significant step back. For example, when it comes to a team taking a step back, the Connecticut Sun come to mind. They were a contending team that lost several key players this summer, and now, they are leaning towards a rebuild. A lot of things have happened this summer, and with that said, here are three teams to keep an eye on during the season.
1.) Indiana Fever
The Indiana Fever had a busy offseason. They brought in players such as 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Natasha Howard, two-time WNBA champion DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham and more. The Fever were a rebuilding team last season, and Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark were leading the way. This season, the Fever have more veterans to back their star duo. The Fever are a threat, and in Clark’s second season, this team will continue to rise. They finished last season with a record of 20-20 and chances are, they will improve this time around.
2.) Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream made their share of moves. They brought in 10-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner, 2022 Sixth Player of the Year Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. Recently, Atlanta brought in Shyanne Sellers, who was drafted by the Golden State Valkyries before they waived her. The Dream had an overall record of 15-25 last season, and they earned the eighth seed during the playoffs. They ended up losing to the New York Liberty. The addition of Griner, and having players like Rhyne Howard, put the Dream in a position to succeed. If everyone can mesh, the Dream could give other teams trouble.
3.) Las Vegas Aces
The Las Vegas Aces are no strangers to winning. They won back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023, and they were going for their third before they lost to the Liberty in the semifinals. The Aces went all in during the offseason, and made one of the biggest moves of the summer. They acquired two-time champion Jewell Loyd in a deal that sent Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. This move potentially puts the Aces back in a position to win, and with the reigning MVP in A’ja Wilson leading the way, the Aces may be tough to stop. Teams will be targeting the Liberty this season, and Las Vegas may yet again be one of their biggest challenges.
The WNBA is continuing to grow (as they introduced the Valkyries and they prepare for their first season) , and many of its teams are putting themselves in position to win. These three teams contend, and there are others like the Seattle Storm (with their duo of Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins) or the Minnesota Lynx that deserve to be in those conversations.
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