2025 WNBA Pre-Draft Power Rankings: Who’s No. 1?

The WNBA offseason has completely changed the dynamic for so many different players and franchises. The league is not how one will remember it in 2024.

There have been a number of new moves, new teams, new coaches and a new setting for players. Some teams are now in a rebuild. Other teams are now contenders and some teams are now in the middle of the pack.

Here’s how the WNBA landscape looks heading into the 2025 season.

*For more breakdowns of the biggest offseason moves, watch on our Moreau Sports Media’s YouTube channel!* 

13. Golden State Valkyries 

Expansion Team – Welcome to the League!

Congratulations to the Golden State Valkyries! They are the newest team in the WNBA. However, that might be the only praiseworthy note to celebrate this season. The Valkyries are officially here, but they are headed for a rough introduction to the league.

Historically, expansion teams always struggle in their first year. This squad will most likely fall into the historical pattern. However, there are a few bright spots. Tiffany Hayes brings veteran leadership and can score the basketball tremendously. Also, we should see the growth of second-year player Kate Martin on this roster. Both Martin and Hayes have worked with their now-current head coach, Natalie Nakase, in Las Vegas with the Aces.

Additions: Tiffany Hayes, Laeticia Amihere

Subtractions: N/A

12. Connecticut Sun 

Rebuild Mode Activated – The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow, Not Today. 

The Connecticut Sun have blown up their core. Their former head coach, Stephanie White, is now with the Indiana Fever. Meanwhile, their entire starting lineup is gone. DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris are now members of the Dallas Wings. Brionna Jones is now with the Atlanta Dream. Alyssa Thomas plays for the Phoenix Mercury. DeWanna Bonner is joining White in Indiana.

This core did not win a championship, which was a difficult task. But that does not take away from the success they had in Connecticut. However, now the Sun are in a rebuild. They brought in veterans such as Tina Charles and Natasha Cloud. They also have Jacy Sheldon, who they are looking to develop. Make no mistake, though—this is a long-term project, and people should expect growing pains.

Additions: Tina Charles, Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, Jacy Sheldon, Diamond DeShields, Nikolina Milić, Lindsay Allen, Leïla Lacan, Kariata Diaby

Subtractions: Brionna Jones, Alyssa Thomas, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, Rebecca Allen, DeWanna Bonner

11. Chicago Sky 

Can Angel & Kamilla Get Some More HELP! Please?!?! 

What is the Chicago Sky franchise actually doing? They are either playing the waiting game until two of their best young players leave in free agency, or maybe they are depending on Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese to become MVP candidates in their second year (which both will have the ability to do—but who knows in their second year though). The moves were virtually nonexistent.

One of the better moves, though, was making sure they signed a pass-first, playmaking point guard. Signing Courtney Vandersloot was a great move. It might be safe to say her best days are behind her, but her experience, leadership, and work ethic are valuable to their locker room. Will she be starting or playing the role of mentor? Or maybe both?

Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso are promising players in the league. However, they need a lot more shooting surrounding this roster. They also need players who can create their own shots off the dribble. Losing a dynamic scorer in Chennedy Carter hurts their depth, and this roster doesn’t inspire confidence quite yet.

Additions: Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse

Subtractions: Diamond DeShields, Lindsay Allen, Nikolina Milić, Dana Evans

10. Dallas Wings 

Arike Free Agency Clock Starts Now

The Dallas Wings have improved a lot this offseason. The problem is, they lost a lot more. Satou Sabally is arguably a top-10 player in the game, and she will not be easily replaced. However, Dallas has made significant improvements defensively on the perimeter. Adding the best perimeter defender in the league, DiJonai Carrington, is a major help. Also, the fact that the team might become the winner of the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes would be a huge boost.

The issue that still remains, though, is their interior defense. Not only did the Wings lose Sabally, but they also lost Natasha Howard. As one of the best scorers in the league, Arike Ogunbowale will still get buckets. The real question is—how far can this team go with the same problems?

Additions: Myisha Hines-Allen, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, NaLyssa Smith

Subtractions: Satou Sabally, Kalani Brown, Sevgi Uzun, Jaelyn Brown, Jacy Sheldon, Natasha Howard

9. Washington Mystics 

Shakira & Aaliyah to save the day?!?

The Washington Mystics low-key have somewhat of a cohesive roster. Although they had one of the worst records in the league for most of the year, they still almost reached the playoffs. Their defensive rating last season was 103.4, which placed them 7th out of 12 in the league—this was while dealing with injuries to key players such as Shakira Austin and Brittany Sykes.

The Mystics are getting both Austin and Sykes back healthy. Also, they are betting on internal growth. Second-year forward Aaliyah Edwards is expected to take on a much bigger role. Having a new coach in Sydney Johnson and a new general manager in Jamila Wideman should help. They barely missed the playoffs last year, and they will most likely be fighting for another playoff spot this season.

Additions: TBD

Subtractions: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough

8. Seattle Storm

Still Solid After Losing a Jewell

The Seattle Storm saw an acrimonious split from their third-leading scorer in franchise history, Jewell Loyd. However, the Storm are still equipped with a good team. Firstly, Skylar Diggins-Smith is still one of the best point guards in the league. Defensively and offensively, she is one of the most complete players in the league as well. Additionally, they still have an elite, top-tier forward in Nneka Ogwumike.

Meanwhile, the Storm continued to re-sign Gabby Williams. They also added more leadership and experience in the forms of Alysha Clark, Erica Wheeler, and Lexie Brown. This roster is still good, but they are no longer contenders.

Additions: Li Yueru, Alysha Clark, Erica Wheeler, Mackenzie Holmes, Lexie Brown

Subtractions: Jewell Loyd, Sami Whitcomb, Mercedes Russell

7. Los Angeles Sparks 

Stay close. In time, Sparks will fly

The Los Angeles Sparks are one of the premier franchises in the WNBA. They have the second-most championships in league history (3). Now, they have a guard who can get them to the mountaintop once again.

For the Sparks, who finished the season by missing the playoffs, their destiny has now changed. Adding Kelsey Plum changes everything, as they are now in win-now mode. Additionally, getting Cameron Brink back fully healthy is a huge plus. Meanwhile, Rickea Jackson, who could become one of the best scorers in the league, should take a huge step in her second year. Also, Dearica Hamby’s continued excellence gives them a great starting five. They have the chance to finish higher than this ranking, but they will still need to prove they can put it all together.

Additions: Mercedes Russell, Shaneice Swain, Kelsey Plum

Subtractions: Li Yueru, Kia Nurse

6. Atlanta Dream 

Sweet Dreams Ahead 

The Atlanta Dream has made it very clear: they want to contend for a championship this year. When they announced they signed Brittney Griner, one of the best centers in the game, they instantly moved into playoff contention. Although the Dream squeaked their way into the playoffs this past season as the 8th seed, there is no doubt that they will finish with a better record and move into a higher seed this season.

Additionally, Atlanta will have a better record as they return a healthy Rhyne Howard. They also have a returning All-Star in Allisha Gray. Moreover, Karl Smesko, their new head coach, gives this team a lot of upside. Add that in with Brionna Jones’ arrival, and throw in a defensive-minded point guard like Jordin Canada, and this team has a lot of room for growth. If everything clicks, don’t be surprised if they are a top-four team.

Additions: Brionna Jones, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Brittney Griner

Subtractions: Tina Charles, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

5. Phoenix Mercury 🔥

How Far Can Star Power Take a Franchise? 

Phoenix might have the best big three in the entire WNBA. The trio of Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper are all All-WNBA-level talents, and Sabally is entering the prime of her career. The issue is, what about the rest of the roster?

The Mercury need to add a lot more quality depth if they truly want to become a dangerous team. They are still contenders—dark horse ones at that. But for now, this is a franchise/team that is banking on their stars to carry the load and get them over the hump. The question is, how good can this trio make this team?

Additions: Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Kalani Brown, Sevgi Uzun, Sami Whitcomb, Kitija Laksa

Subtractions: Brittney Griner, Sophie Cunningham, Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan

4. Las Vegas Aces 

If A’ja is There, There’s a Chance to Win

Any roster that A’ja Wilson is on has an automatic chance to win a championship title. Outside of the trade for Jewell Loyd in exchange for Kelsey Plum, the Las Vegas Aces made a few subtle moves this offseason. Bringing in Dana Evans is a good move, and bringing in Cheyenne Parker-Tyus to play center was an even better one.

The Aces are still in the mix to win a championship. The problem is the rest of the league. The other teams in the league have improved significantly, and the Aces are closer to the end of this core’s window than they are to the beginning. Getting Chelsea Gray back healthy for a full season will be more than beneficial. They are still a top-tier squad, but no longer the undisputed favorites.

Additions: Jewell Loyd, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Dana Evans

Subtractions: Kelsey Plum

3. Indiana Fever 🔥

The Biggest Risers of the Offseason

The Indiana Fever have a lot of positives working in their favor. First of all, they have a new, experienced head coach who will help this team in many aspects. Secondly, they have the best point guard in the league in Caitlin Clark. In her first year, she broke most records imaginable, and her second year should be a bigger continuation of that. Meanwhile, the Fever re-signed Kelsey Mitchell, and pairing her with Clark will continue their dominance as having the best backcourt in the league.

Aliyah Boston is poised for a breakout year in her third season in the league. Additionally, with all of the roster moves they have made, they have more than solid bench depth. They’re the only team with four top-25 scorers from last season. Indiana made serious moves to go from rebuilding to competing, and they could be one of the most exciting teams in the league.

Additions: Sophie Cunningham, Jaelyn Brown, Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner, Sydney Colson

Subtractions: NaLyssa Smith, Erica Wheeler, Grace Berger, Temi Fagbenle

2. Minnesota Lynx 🐺

run it back – Revenge season

The Minnesota Lynx were not happy with the fact that they lost the WNBA Finals. If you ask their roster, they would tell you that they were swindled out of a championship. The front office played it intelligently and decided to bring this battle-tested roster back to run it again. With their core intact, they’re set up for another deep playoff run.

Additionally, look out for Napheesa Collier. The 6’1 forward is arguably the best player in the league, and she will be in peak shape coming into the season. Collier is hungry to prove she belongs among the greatest to play in the WNBA. She literally only needs a ring to cement herself among the league’s greatest players. They’re battle-tested, talented, and ready to make another push for the championship.

Additions: Marième Badiane, Grace Berger

Subtractions: Myisha Hines-Allen

1. New York Liberty 

NEw York State of Mind Dynasty Loading. 

The curse in New York is finally over. The New York Liberty were finally able to break through and win themselves the first title in franchise history. Now, the question is, how many more titles does this core want to rack up?

The New York Liberty almost set the single-season record last year. They are returning 85% of their championship roster from last season. Breanna Stewart might be one of the best winners to ever play women’s basketball. Sabrina Ionescu is in the middle of the prime of her career. Meanwhile, look for Leonie Fiebich to have a breakout year. Fiebich will be starting, and she will have a huge impact on this team moving forward. Additionally, don’t forget Jonquel Jones, who is still in the prime of her career. The way she played in the Finals should not let anyone catch them by surprise next season. Until someone dethrones them, they are the favorites to repeat as WNBA champions.

Additions: TBD

Subtractions: Courtney Vandersloot

Closing Thoughts

This offseason has been full of new changes. The Liberty are still the team to beat in the WNBA. In the meantime, other teams like Los Angeles, Indiana, Phoenix, and Atlanta have made serious moves. Additionally, the middle of the pack is wide open for any team. There will be a new and different playoff picture next season. Buckle up—it’s going to be a fun ride.