The 2024 season is over, a champion has been topped, and it is time to flip our consideration to how groups ought to method the offseason.
A whole lot of solutions are nonetheless to return. The draft lottery is Nov. 17. Along with April’s WNBA draft, an enlargement draft might be held on Dec. 6 because the Golden State Valkyries be a part of the league forward of the 2025 season. Every present WNBA crew can shield a most of six gamers who is not going to be eligible to be drafted by Golden State.
The Los Angeles Sparks, one in every of 4 groups that did not attain the playoffs this season, have one of the best odds for the No. 1 decide in April’s draft, at 44.2%.
Within the meantime, we’re breaking down potential strikes for every WNBA franchise, together with a take a look at the state of every roster, crew wants and priorities for every entrance workplace.
Received WNBA championship
2024 document: 32-8 (1st)
Free brokers: Breanna Stewart (unrestricted), Courtney Vandersloot (unrestricted), Kennedy Burke (unrestricted), Ivan Dojkic (reserved), Jaylyn Sherrod (reserved)
2025 draft capital: No. 7 (by way of decide swap with Phoenix) and No. 38 (third spherical).
2024 recap: The mission all season was to erase the reminiscence of disappointment within the 2023 WNBA Finals and win the primary championship in franchise historical past. Mission achieved. The New York gamers talked concerning the improved chemistry that they had over 2023. Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Vandersloot have been not new to the Liberty like they have been a yr in the past, and it confirmed on the courtroom. Stewart wasn’t the regular-season MVP like she was in 2023, however New York needed to depend on her much less. Sabrina Ionescu was higher. So was Jones. Vandersloot’s position was lessened, partially attributable to her time away from the crew as she handled the dying of her mom midseason but additionally in deference to enjoying time for 6-foot-4 German rookie Leonie Fiebich, who flourished within the playoffs and may need been the lacking piece to the title.
State of the roster: With Ionescu, Jones, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Fiebich all locked up, the Liberty brass can deal with bringing again Stewart on a brand new deal. She mentioned this week she’s going to signal a one-year cope with New York for subsequent season. Having position gamers Kennedy Burke and Nyara Sabally additionally beneath contract permits New York to tinker with the finer factors of the roster, maybe discovering a capturing or defensive specialist in free company — though it is attainable Burke or Sabally could possibly be uncovered within the Golden State enlargement draft. What Vandersloot decides to do and the crew’s plan for her in her now smaller position will decide a few of these roster tweaks.
Largest precedence: Including one other ball handler/shooter.
Largest offseason query: How will New York handle being the hunted moderately than the hunter? After profitable their first title, the Aces saved their core collectively, added Candace Parker and Alysha Clark, and retained the starvation that led to a second championship. Re-signing Stewart would accomplish the primary a part of holding the core collectively. There additionally is likely to be some veterans who would need to be a part of the Liberty for a shot at a title. However nobody can measure how sizzling the fireplace burns after profitable a championship. — Charlie Creme
Eradicated in WNBA Finals
2024 document: 30-10 (2nd)
Free brokers: Myisha Hines-Allen (unrestricted), Natisha Hiedeman (unrestricted), Cecilia Zandalasini (reserved), Olivia Epoupa (reserved), Jessica Shepard (suspended-contract expired)
2025 draft capital: Commonplace picks
2024 recap: The Lynx have been among the best tales within the WNBA this yr. Picked to complete sixth after doing precisely {that a} yr in the past, they have been as an alternative the second-best crew within the league almost all season. All of the offseason strikes appeared to work completely, and the Lynx immediately developed a chemistry that carried all of them yr. Alanna Smith came visiting from Chicago and had one of the best season of her profession. Bridget Carleton did the identical after principally toiling on the Lynx bench for 5 seasons. Minnesota was Courtney Williams’ fourth crew in 4 years, however she match proper in, bringing in a component the Lynx had lacked. Natisha Hiedeman left the Solar for Minnesota and offered much more backcourt versatility. After all, a lot of the 11-game enchancment on final season got here from the inspiration constructed by veterans Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride. Collier had her greatest season and would have been the MVP if not for the brilliance of A’ja Wilson in Las Vegas. McBride’s 15.0 factors per sport have been her highest since 2018, and she or he as soon as once more was probably the most correct 3-point shooters within the league.
State of the roster: The whole core group is signed by means of subsequent season, so the Lynx can merely run it again and take one other shot at profitable their fifth championship in franchise historical past. Assuming one other crew does not overwhelm Hiedeman with a suggestion, which appears unlikely, Minnesota ought to have the flexibility to carry her again. The Lynx have been additionally capable of attain this degree of success with out a lot contribution from both of their previous two draft picks. If Diamond Miller and Alyssa Pili can keep wholesome and enhance, Cheryl Reeve would have vital depth at her disposal.
Largest precedence: Get extra bodily.
Largest offseason query: Does this group have a championship in it? That’s what the Lynx’s decision-makers have to determine. If this was one of the best Carleton and Smith will ever be, maybe this season was Minnesota’s ceiling. Some tweaks may then be thought-about in an try and take that subsequent step. Nevertheless, if the changes aren’t the fitting ones, the chemistry that was so instrumental to this season’s run could possibly be compromised. — Creme
Eradicated in semifinals
2024 document: 28-12 (third)
Free brokers: Alyssa Thomas (unrestricted), Brionna Jones (unrestricted), DeWanna Bonner (unrestricted), Tiffany Mitchell (unrestricted), Astou Ndour-Fall (unrestricted), DiJonai Carrington (restricted), Veronica Burton (reserved), Caitlin Bickle (reserved)
2025 draft capital: The twenty first, twenty third and thirty third total picks. First-round decide was traded to Chicago within the Marina Mabrey deal.
2024 recap: For the primary month, the Solar have been one of the best crew within the WNBA. They opened with 9 straight wins and received 13 of their first 14. Then on July 17, they acquired Mabrey from the Chicago Sky, a commerce that addressed Connecticut’s perimeter capturing deficiencies. The Solar additionally had the stingiest protection within the league, giving up 73.6 factors per sport. Regardless of all of that, the Solar weren’t fairly the identical by the autumn. A 4-4 end to the common season was a prelude to a disappointing semifinal playoff exit. Carrington had a breakout season because the WNBA’s Most Improved Participant and was a giant a part of Connecticut’s defensive success. Thomas had three extra triple-doubles, bringing her WNBA career-record whole to fifteen, however her scoring and rebounding numbers dipped from 2023.
State of the roster: The Connecticut entrance workplace has some work to do. Excluding Mabrey, no starter is signed for subsequent season. Whereas it is troublesome to think about Thomas, Bonner, Jones or Carrington being elsewhere subsequent season, the Solar may must get inventive to make it occur. Solely Carrington among the many beginning 5 makes lower than $200,000, and she or he is due a increase as a restricted free agent. The engaged Bonner and Thomas have mentioned their careers are impartial of their relationship, and that enjoying on the identical crew shouldn’t be a necessity. Bonner, 37, might even contemplate retirement. That Jones was wholesome and performed each sport after tearing her proper Achilles tendon in June 2023 makes her free agent standing probably the most fascinating. She has spent her eight-year profession with Connecticut, but when the Solar cannot re-sign everybody, Jones could possibly be the one to go.
Largest precedence: Including one other perimeter scorer.
Largest offseason query: Is it time to rebuild or reload? With so many free brokers, the Solar might go for a minor reset. The core of Bonner, Thomas and Jones has proved to be among the best groups within the WNBA over the previous few seasons. However the Solar has additionally proven an incapacity to recover from the hump for a championship. Even with the addition of Mabrey, and Carrington’s development, the Solar improved by just one sport within the common season and exited the playoffs in the identical spherical as 2023. Operating it again would presumably require committing to this getting older group for multiple extra yr, leaving much less flexibility with roster building within the brief time period. It will additionally give the Solar the expertise and expertise to stay a contender. — Creme
2024 document: 27-13 (4th)
Free brokers: Kelsey Plum (unrestricted), Alysha Clark (unrestricted), Tiffany Hayes (unrestricted), Sydney Colson (unrestricted), Queen Egbo (reserved)
2025 draft capital: No first-round decide (rescinded due to the Dearica Hamby investigation), two second-round picks (14th, twentieth total), third-round decide (thirty second)
2024 recap: After profitable championships in 2022 and 2023, something wanting a 3rd straight title was certain to be a disappointment for the Aces. Las Vegas struggled to discover a rhythm sport to sport. The dominance of 2023 went lacking. A few of that could possibly be attributed to championship hangover, however the absence of Chelsea Grey originally of the season loomed massive. She missed the primary month with a foot damage and nonetheless wasn’t herself for a lot of the common season. Las Vegas completed in fourth place within the common season regardless of A’ja Wilson having among the best particular person seasons in WNBA historical past and profitable a 3rd MVP, and Jackie Younger and Kelsey Plum having All-Star seasons, albeit not fairly as productive as 2023.
State of the roster: Previously 16 months, Wilson, Younger and Grey all signed contract extensions that may preserve them in Las Vegas by means of subsequent season. Plum’s two-year extension got here a yr earlier, making her an unrestricted free agent now, organising probably the most necessary selections for a crew or a participant this offseason. The Aces might use their core designation on Plum, guaranteeing she’s again for another season earlier than the probability of a brand new collective bargaining with the next wage cap is in place for 2026. Key veteran position participant Alysha Clark and locker room favourite Sydney Colson are additionally unrestricted free brokers. Tiffany Hayes, who was named Sixth Participant of the 12 months on Friday, was very important to Las Vegas’ season after being lured out of retirement. Her choice to proceed enjoying may hinge on the Aces’ plans.
Largest precedence: Including one other scorer with dimension.
Largest offseason query: What occurs with Plum? It is exhausting to think about Las Vegas with out her. That is the one group Plum has recognized, going again to when the franchise was in San Antonio and she or he was the No. 1 decide in 2017. Her early profession struggles look like a lifetime in the past since she has turned herself into one of many league’s greatest gamers. Plum has been important to the Aces’ championships and the face of the franchise together with Wilson. However the expense of coring her or signing Plum to any sort of extension may restrict the entrance workplace’s capability to plug different holes for a franchise the place cap house is at a premium. — Creme
Eradicated in first spherical
2024 document: 20-20 (sixth)
Free brokers: Kelsey Mitchell (unrestricted), Erica Wheeler (unrestricted), Temi Fagbenle
2025 draft capital: Commonplace picks
2024 recap: In a single yr, and by drafting Caitlin Clark with the No. 1 decide, the Fever went from WNBA afterthought to the most-watched, most-discussed and most-improved crew within the league. Indiana reached the playoffs for the primary time since 2016, with Clark named first-team All-WNBA and anticipated to win Rookie of the 12 months honors. The Fever have been capable of keep the course after a 1-8 begin. Chemistry slowly constructed. After the Olympic break, Indiana turned among the best groups within the league. Clark performed a lot better and Mitchell’s manufacturing exploded, averaging almost 25 factors over the ultimate 13 video games. Coach Christie Sides settled on a constant rotation, and Lexie Hull turned a significant contributor with hustle performs and out of doors capturing. It additionally helped that Damiris Dantas and Fagbenle returned from accidents.
State of the roster: It is a younger crew with Aliyah Boston and Clark — who’re locked in with contracts by means of 2026 and 2027, respectively — because the spine of the franchise. Everybody else, besides Mitchell, Wheeler and Fagbenle, has offers for subsequent yr. The choice between the Fever and Mitchell about her future with the crew will steer the remainder of the offseason strikes. Anticipate Indiana to save lots of Wheeler’s $202,000 wage by letting her go away in free company.
Largest precedence: Including a 3-and-D wing.
Largest offseason query: Does Mitchell return? Given how properly she and Clark ultimately performed collectively, Mitchell leaving the one WNBA franchise she has recognized can be a blow for the Fever. However her electrical offensive play needs to be coveted across the league.
The brand new Golden State Valkyries enlargement crew additionally provides a wrinkle to free company, with an enlargement draft set for after this season.
The Fever stay the one crew with the flexibility to supply Mitchell a supermax contract. They might even have the choice of constructing her a core participant, holding her in Indiana for a minimum of one other yr. — Creme
2024 document: 19-21 (seventh)
Free brokers: Diana Taurasi (unrestricted), Brittney Griner (unrestricted), Monique Billings (unrestricted), Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (reserved), Natasha Mack (reserved), Charisma Osborne (reserved), Celeste Taylor (reserved), Amy Atwell (reserved)
2025 draft capital: Solely a first-round decide. New York has the choice to swap picks with Phoenix.
2024 recap: Again within the playoffs after a one-year absence, the Mercury improved considerably from their nine-win, Twelfth-place 2023 end after the additions of Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud. However they have been by no means a big risk to the highest half of the league, so their first-round playoff exit was not a shock. What could have been a shock to some was the extent at which Taurasi performed in her twentieth WNBA season. Her scoring common (14.9 PPG) and assists (3.4 APG) have been high 25 within the league and she or he remained wholesome sufficient to play in all however 4 video games. Even along with her efficiency, and that of Copper (21.1 PPG, third within the WNBA), Phoenix suffered from inconsistency on offense and by no means put collectively something longer than a three-game profitable streak. It was additionally the worst rebounding crew within the WNBA.
State of the roster: Copper, Cloud and Rebecca Allen have the one protected contracts on the roster. If Taurasi does retire and if Griner leaves in free company, Phoenix would want to fully reset. Griner appears prone to be again, however might have a increase from her present $150,000 wage. The Mercury want so as to add some dimension subsequent to Griner, nonetheless. Cunningham’s deal for subsequent yr is unprotected, and Phoenix can have selections to make on gamers like Mack and Billings, who have been worthwhile reserves however not difference-makers.
Largest precedence: Including dimension and bodily inside protection.
Largest offseason query: Will Taurasi play another season? And, if not, how does Phoenix change her? The WNBA’s all-time main scorer did not play like somebody on a retirement tour, however her speech after the Mercury’s closing dwelling sport in the course of the common season did sound like she was able to name it a profession. Taurasi was the Mercury’s high 3-point shooter by a big margin. Phoenix already might use a lift in its perimeter capturing. With out Taurasi, it turns into an enormous gap to fill. — Creme
2024 document: 25-15 (fifth)
Free brokers: Nneka Ogwumike (unrestricted), Gabby Williams (unrestricted), Mercedes Russell (unrestricted), Sami Whitcomb (unrestricted), Joyner Holmes (unrestricted), Victoria Vivians (unrestricted)
2025 draft capital: Commonplace picks, plus Washington’s third-round decide
2024 recap: After signing All-Stars Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, the Storm’s 14-win leap within the standings from the 2023 lottery was tied for fourth largest in WNBA historical past. Diggins-Smith returned from giving delivery to her second youngster to play at a excessive degree and Ogwumike made a robust case for All-WNBA honors. But Seattle nonetheless discovered itself outdoors the highest 4 seeds and was swept by the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces within the opening spherical of the playoffs. In the end, the Storm’s offense wasn’t championship caliber. Seattle ranked seventh in offensive ranking in the course of the common season and mustered no area objectives and two factors within the fourth quarter of Sport 1 in opposition to Las Vegas after heading to the ultimate interval with a lead.
State of the roster: After defensive anchor Ezi Magbegor signed a one-year extension in June, the Storm have three of their so-called “Core 4” beneath contract with Diggins-Smith and Jewell Loyd signed by means of 2025. Ogwumike will turn into an unrestricted free agent and it is as much as Seattle to re-recruit her to remain.
The opposite key free agent is Williams, who re-signed after the Olympics and rapidly moved again into the beginning 5 alongside that group. Winsidr reported earlier than that call that Williams wished a dedication to not be designated a core participant, permitting her into unrestricted free company after the WNBA’s prioritization rule pressured her to re-sign halfway by means of the previous two seasons. When she returned to Seattle, Williams mentioned she was centered on ending the season however can be clear with possession about her need.
Making Williams a core supply won’t be real looking with the Storm’s cap state of affairs. Even when Seattle crammed out the roster with gamers on the rookie minimal, paying Williams the supermax ($249,244) would go away lower than $200,000 to re-sign or change Ogwumike primarily based on wage information from HerHoopStats.com — lower than the $204,500 Ogwumike made this season.
Largest precedence: Upgrading the bench.
Largest offseason query: Can the Storm turn into reliable title contenders? Seattle was half a step behind the WNBA’s high groups, going a mixed 2-12 in opposition to Las Vegas, Minnesota and New York, together with the playoffs. If the Storm re-sign Ogwumike and Williams, they will have to search out worth contributors to enhance the bench and significantly the crew’s shaky outdoors capturing. Solely three WNBA groups up to now decade have shot worse than Seattle’s 29% from 3-point vary. — Kevin Pelton
2024 document: 15-25 (eighth)
Free brokers: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (unrestricted), Aerial Powers (unrestricted), Tina Charles (unrestricted), Lorela Cubaj (reserved), Maya Caldwell (reserved)
2025 draft capital: The sixteenth and twenty eighth total picks
2024 recap: Atlanta’s season may need been saved by the Olympic break. The Dream misplaced eight in a row earlier than the WNBA halted play in July and have been three video games out of a playoff spot. Three wins over eventual playoff groups instantly adopted the return to motion, and the season was saved. There have been nonetheless separate four- and three-game dropping streaks, however an 8-8 end was adequate for a second straight postseason look. A lot of the first-half struggles will be attributed to accidents. Rhyne Howard sat out 10 video games simply earlier than the pause, and Jordin Canada had two stints on the sidelines that totaled 18 video games. Howard was particularly good within the second half of the season, averaging 19 factors and hitting the 30-point mark 4 instances.
State of the roster: At this level of her profession — and since she already has had one retirement — Charles’ enjoying days should be thought-about a year-to-year proposition. The Dream will surely welcome her again, maybe on one other one-year deal. The core of Howard, Canada and Allisha Grey, the Dream’s most constant participant, are beneath contract for 2025. That is a superb place to begin, however there are questions after that. Accidents restricted Powers to 17 video games, and the manufacturing of Parker-Tyus fell off considerably. Each ended the season injured as properly. It is exhausting to think about each being re-signed. Haley Jones, Naz Hillmon and Nia Coffey all have cap-friendly salaries, however none are making the influence the Dream want. Atlanta was close to the underside of the league in all of the capturing and scoring metrics and was final in factors and assists per sport.
Largest precedence: Including an influence participant who can rating effectively.
Largest offseason query: If Charles does not come again, what is the plan? Even when the WNBA’s all-time chief in rebounds and double-doubles elects to return, the Dream should be higher offensively. Of Atlanta’s high six scorers, Charles had the very best capturing share at 45.6%. With no first-round decide (traded away to amass Grey), the trail to enhancing the offense is harder. The entrance workplace will both need to do one thing inventive in free company and/or the commerce market, or Canada, Grey and Howard should turn into way more environment friendly. — Creme
Eradicated after common season
2024 document: 14-26 (ninth)
Free brokers: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (unrestricted), Emily Engstler (reserved), Sug Sutton (reserved), Julie Vanloo (reserved)
2025 draft capital: Two first-round picks, their very own and Atlanta’s
Lottery odds: 10.4%
2024 recap: First got here Natasha Cloud’s choice to signal with Phoenix in the beginning of free company. Every week later, Elena Delle Donne, after enjoying simply 23 video games in 2023, introduced she was sitting out the season. That meant two of Washington’s top-three scorers from 2023 have been gone. Then on this season’s second sport, the Mystics’ different high scorer, Brittney Sykes, suffered a excessive ankle sprain and missed three weeks. That every one added as much as an 0-12 begin, a gap from which Washington could not escape. The Mystics did win 5 of six video games in late August/early September to turn into a playoff risk, however — too reliant on Ariel Atkins and Sykes — they in the end fell brief. They’d solely two wins all season in opposition to groups with profitable data.
State of the roster: Delle Donne’s standing is unsure, however 2024 core gamers Atkins, Sykes, Stefanie Dolson, Shakira Austin, Karlie Samuelson (who had her greatest season as a professional) and Aaliyah Edwards are beneath contract. Holding these gamers on the courtroom is the difficulty. Austin has performed simply 31 video games the previous two seasons. Washington may need to carry again Emily Engstler only for frontcourt safety. Sykes missed 23 video games. That opened some minutes for Julie Vanloo, who might now be a valued bench piece. Edwards suffered from inconsistency in her rookie yr. Her anticipated enchancment would fill some holes.
Largest precedence: Add one other scorer or a real level guard. Sykes and Atkins cannot be requested to hold the offense once more.
Largest offseason query: How can the Mystics maximize their present expertise? All issues thought-about, the teaching employees did an incredible job digging this crew out of the 0-12 gap and almost making the playoffs. However Washington has weaknesses. The Mystics grabbed the fewest rebounds within the league and had probably the most turnovers. That basically limits scoring alternatives. The 2 first-round draft picks might assist add depth that coach Eric Thibault can flip right into a balanced assault. A greater model of Edwards and wholesome Austin might resolve the rebounding dilemma and the shortage of inside scoring. That was one other space the place Washington struggled. — Creme
2024 document: 13-27 (tenth)
Free brokers: Isabelle Harrison (unrestricted), Brianna Turner (unrestricted), Diamond DeShields (unrestricted), Chennedy Carter (restricted), Michaela Onyenwere (restricted), Dana Evans (restricted). Elizabeth Williams signed a contract extention by means of 2025.
2025 draft capital: Holds Connecticut’s first-round decide from the Marina Mabrey commerce earlier this season. Dallas might swap first-rounders with the Sky as a part of the commerce to acquire Mabrey previous to the 2023 season. (Chicago traded away its 2nd and third spherical picks.)
Lottery odds: 17.8% (That is the technical quantity for Chicago to get the highest decide, however with Dallas holding the rights to swap picks, the Sky have primarily zero probability of selecting first.)
2024 recap: Whereas aggressive most nights, the Sky could not overcome their restricted 3-point capturing (final within the WNBA in made 3-pointers per sport and share of factors from 3-pointers), the Mabrey commerce, Carter’s late-season sickness and Angel Reese’s season-ending wrist damage. They missed the playoffs for the primary time since 2018. The 2024 season might be remembered for Reese’s historic rookie marketing campaign, setting league marks for double-doubles and rebounds (a document A’ja Wilson later broke), and for Teresa Weatherspoon probably discovering a core on which to construct with Reese, Carter and Kamilla Cardoso.
State of the roster: It is nearly sure the Sky would match any supply to Carter, however with six different free brokers, Chicago might look fairly totally different in 2025. Manufacturing and consistency have been sparse after Reese, Carter, Cardoso and the now-departed Mabrey. Rachel Banham and Lindsay Allen could possibly be again as a result of they fill wants and have cheap contracts — Banham as a 3-point shooter and Allen as some extent guard — however it might profit the Sky in the event that they have been coming off the bench. Onyenwere gave Chicago a spark after the Olympic break and is a restricted free agent who appears prone to return. The remainder of the crew’s free brokers both could not keep wholesome or fell out of the common rotation.
Largest precedence: Including some long-range capturing and some extent guard who’s a scoring risk.
Largest offseason query: How a lot will the franchise remorse the decide swap with Dallas? The Sky would have had the third-best probability to safe the No. 1 decide, however think about in the event that they did. Paige Bueckers would have crammed the franchise’s two most important wants with one participant. This was a rebuilding season, and though there’s disappointment in not making the playoffs Chicago achieved its aim of resetting the franchise with a younger core. What comes subsequent with roster reconstruction might be key. — Creme
2024 document: 9-31 (eleventh)
Free brokers: Satou Sabally (unrestricted), Natasha Howard (unrestricted), Jaelyn Brown (reserved), Sevgi Uzun (reserved)
2025 draft capital: Commonplace picks plus the flexibility to swap first-round spots with Chicago
Lottery odds: 45.4% (mixed Dallas and Chicago odds as a result of the Wings have the fitting to swap picks with the Sky)
2024 recap: The shoulder damage that value Sabally the primary 25 video games derailed what was imagined to be one other momentum-building season for a franchise coming off its first playoff collection win since transferring to Dallas in 2016. The Wings nonetheless managed to win solely three video games after Sabally’s return, primarily as a result of that they had the league’s worst protection. Teaira McCowan confirmed indicators of enchancment within the put up, and former first-round decide Maddy Siegrist seemed like one of many WNBA’s most improved gamers over the primary month — however was by no means the identical after lacking eight weeks with a damaged finger. Arike Ogunbowale (second within the league at 22.2 PPG) stays probably the most electrical offensive gamers within the sport.
State of the roster: Anticipate the Wings to designate Sabally as a core participant and produce her again from what they hope is a full season of the 17.4 PPG she scored after the Olympic break. She and Ogunbowale type one of many league’s top-scoring tandems, however only one yr faraway from that playoff look, this roster both must get absolutely wholesome or remade. A call should be made on Howard. Her management and scoring can be missed however letting her go in free company would offer some offseason flexibility. Dallas added 4 first-round picks within the final two years, and three of the 4 — Jacy Sheldon, Lou Lopez Senechal and Stephanie Soares — have mixed to attain a complete of 260 factors in two seasons.
Largest precedence: The Wings should be a lot better defensively and extra bodily. The draft is not doubtless to supply that, so Dallas needs to be lively in free company. Oh, and a real level guard can be good.
Largest offseason query: Was this season only a product of damage or do personnel modifications should be made? The Wings appeared destined for larger issues however for a stretch within the season’s first half have been enjoying with out Sabally, Siegrist and Howard. They could not get better and 2024 turned a free fall. The entrance workplace and training employees should determine if simply being wholesome might be sufficient or if some huge strikes are obligatory. — Creme
2024 document: 8-32 (Twelfth)
Free brokers: Kia Nurse (unrestricted), Aari McDonald (restricted), Li Yueru (reserved)
2025 draft capital: Commonplace picks plus extra third-rounder from Chicago Lottery odds: 44.2%
2024 recap: The Sparks have been the worst crew within the league and handled a litany of accidents for the second straight yr, most prominently dropping Cameron Brink, April’s No. 2 draft decide, to an ACL tear 15 video games into her rookie season. Although it was the worst season in franchise historical past, culminating in a fourth consecutive season and not using a playoff berth, Los Angeles will enter 2025 with a transparent route in constructing round its two younger stars in Brink and Rickea Jackson. Dearica Hamby additionally had a memorable summer season, placing collectively a profession yr in her second season again after giving delivery to her second youngster.
State of the roster: There’s not a ton of intrigue surrounding who might be on the 2025 Sparks. The entrance workplace did its work early by signing Hamby, Azura Stevens, Stephanie Talbot and Lexie Brown to contract extensions earlier this yr (the primary three by means of 2025, Brown by means of 2026). Gamers comparable to Layshia Clarendon, Rae Burrell, Julie Allemand and Zia Cooke are additionally beneath contract however are on unprotected offers. Crystal Dangerfield and Odyssey Sims (who’re each on hardship contracts) — along with Nurse, McDonald and Li — will enter the offseason as unrestricted free brokers.
Largest precedence: Buying a lead guard and establishing constant guard offensive firepower
Largest offseason query: Will the pingpong balls fall in Los Angeles’ favor? In that case, there is a silver bullet to the aforementioned backcourt points named Paige Bueckers, who’ll await the Sparks within the draft. A younger core of Bueckers, Brink and Jackson would give followers loads of causes for optimism concerning the Sparks’ capability to reemerge as a contender within the coming years. — Alexa Philippou
