The 2023 WNBA Season is upon us and this year brings fresh and exciting storylines to watch out for.
Last year’s champions, the Las Vegas Aces, gained another superstar in their quest for another title. Not to be outdone, the New York Liberty formed their own collection of stars. Several teams are also sporting different looks with retooled rosters and new coaches. And with Britney Griner returning, this season already has a feel-good story.
Let’s unpack the upcoming season by asking each team one question.
Can the Aces repeat?
The Las Vegas Aces enter the season as the heavy title favorites and not just because they’re the defending champions. After running the competition roughshod in 2022 where we saw them finishing with the best regular season record en route to the franchise’s first title, they made headlines during the offseason with the acquisition of Candace Parker.
Parker, of course, is no stranger to fans of the W being a two-time champion and a two-time league MVP. Even though she just turned 37, her game has evolved and she can still provide whatever a team needs from her. She brings elite-level defense and adept playmaking as well which perfectly into how the Aces operate.
The Aces, however, will enter the season with a dark cloud hovering over their heads. Coach Becky Hammon has been suspended for two games and the team was asked to rescind a 2025 draft pick as a result of the WNBA’s investigation on the Dearica Hamby trade. The Aces were found at fault for violating the league’s rules on player benefits and Respect in the Workplace policies. How much the off-court issues will affect the Aces, especially at the start of the season will be critical in their quest for back-to-back titles.
Will New York finally get a title?
The New York Liberty haven’t won the championship since being part of the league’s inception in 1997 but they might have a chance to make history this season. The major shakeup in New York is the assembly of not just one, but two MVPs during the summer. Jonquel Jones arrived via trade then Breanna Stewart arguably made the biggest splash in the offseason with her decision to go to the Big Apple. Shortly after the two primetime players joined, third all-time assist leader Courtney Vandersloot signed as well. Add in the Liberty’s explosive duo of Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney, the team is must-watch TV.
The only thing missing from this group is chemistry on the court. Every team, superteam or not, needs time to gel and grow. They’ve been pegged as a contender alongside the Aces, but the Aces already have a proven core. The Liberty will have to get their act together as quickly as possible.
Will Elena Delle Donne have a throwback year?
The biggest news for Washington is the report that franchise star Elena Delle Donne doesn’t plan to miss any games this season. The two-time MVP has been dealing with back issues since 2019. She didn’t play in 2020 and logged in just three games in 2021. Last season, she was able to slowly regain her form and put up steady numbers of 17.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks but played only 25 games.
If she is reportedly back to 100 percent, that could spell the difference between having a strong season or not for the Mystics. Washington has a solid core surrounding their best player led by Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins. The Liberty and the Aces are the favorites but the Mystics shouldn’t be that far behind if EDD is at the top of her game.
Washington will have a new coach in Eric Thibault, the son of longtime coach Mike Thibault. Eric is a veteran on the sidelines as an assistant and now he will get a chance to call the shots.
Do the Sky have enough?
The Chicago Sky that won it all in 2021 look vastly different from the current team. Aside from the aforementioned Parker and Vandersloot, Azura Stevens and Allie Quigley won’t be part of Chicago’s season. The only remaining centerpiece is former Finals MVP Kahleah Copper.
But the Sky aren’t necessarily in complete rebuild mode. With newcomers Marina Mabrey, Courtney Williams, Elizabeth Williams, and Isabelle Harrison, the team has enough firepower to make things interesting. They may not be title contenders like in years past, but a seat in the playoffs shouldn’t be out of the question. If anything, there will be no shortage of swag, trash talk, and buckets with the trio of Copper, Mabrey, and Courtney Williams.
Where do the Sun go from here?
After reaching the Finals twice in the last four years, the Connecticut Sun are in different territory. Jonquel Jones, the team’s focal point for several years, is now in New York. Courtney Williams, another source of points for the team, is in Dallas.
Connecticut will also debut a new coach in Stephanie White who replaced Curt Miller, now with the Los Angeles Sparks. White is a former Indiana Fever player who also coached the franchise for two seasons. Fortunately, White won’t have to work from scratch in remolding the Sun with veterans Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner, and Alyssa Thomas still on the roster.
The Sun have been perennial playoff contenders but this might be their biggest challenge with a new coach and the departure of their star.
What will Rhyne Howard’s Year 2 look like in Atlanta?
Rhyne Howard had a solid first season with averages of 16.2 points, including 34 percent shooting deep, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.6 steals. Last year’s Rookie of the Year was one of the players that helped the Dream reach a 14-22 record, one win from a potential playoff berth. Everyone will be looking if Howard can continue her strong showing in her sophomore season. And with Atlanta sporting a lot of young talent, Howard remains front and center with that developing up-and-coming core.
The Dream were strong defensively last season but lacked the offensive weapons to keep up with the other teams. The addition of Allisha Grey from Dallas is a welcome sight as she will bring scoring and veteran experience. Grey put up 13.3 points and was a sniper from deep.
Who will be Arike Ogunbowale’s new running mate?
There is no doubt that Arike Ogunbowale is the star of the Dallas Wings. But as we all know, having one star is not enough. Marina Mabrey was growing into that role before getting traded to Chicago.
The Wings recently got three-time champion and 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Natasha Howard via a trade. Is she the missing piece? Howard is a proven contributor who had averages of 15.1 points and 7.3 rebounds for the Liberty last season and Dallas is hoping she can replicate that production. If anything, she will bring a new defensive identity to a team that’s looking for a breakthrough.
New coach Latricia Trammell will try to turn the fortunes around Dallas who hasn’t had a lot of recent postseason success.
Is Indiana’s Aaliyah Boston ready to take centerstage?
The Fever have been looking for a North Star and their hopes will now hinge on the No.1 pick Aaliyah Boston.
Like most overall picks, Boston will come in with a lot of pressure having been the 2022 Naismith Player of the Year and winning a national title with South Carolina. She won’t instantly transform Indiana into a winning team but she will undoubtedly look to make an impact in her first year.
New coach Christie Sides will have a lot on her plate but with Boston, the team can have a budding star they can lean on.
Will the Sparks return to the playoffs?
For a franchise like the Los Angeles Sparks, every year is essentially a must-win year. The Sparks have missed the last two playoffs – the first time they missed the postseason in consecutive years since 1997 and 1998. For the better part of the last two decades, they have been a constant figure in the playoffs with five Finals trips and three titles to show for it.
Headlining the group back to the bright lights are the Ogwumike sisters Nneka and Chiney. Since winning the MVP in 2016, Nneka has been up and down in terms of her production while battling injuries. Last season was a stellar year as she was able to suit up for 34 games and averaged 18.1 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Los Angeles added intriguing pieces in Jasmine Thomas, Azura Stevens, Layshia Clarendon, and Dearica Hamby. That’s a veteran group that should work well with the Ogwumike sisters. Under the tutelage of new coach Curt Miller, the Sparks are poised to make a good run for the playoffs.
Who will usher in the new era for the Lynx?
The last remaining bridge to Minnesota’s dynasty of the 2010s is now gone with the retirement of Sylvia Fowles. And in case you were still hoping for a Maya Moore comeback, she officially retired in January.
The easy answer to who Minnesota’s next face will be is Napheesa Collier. If there ever was a time for the 2019 Rookie of the Year to meet her potential, now is the time. She missed most of last season with her pregnancy and you can bet she’s raring to go back on the court this year. Alongside Kayla McBride, Rachel Banham, and Aerial Powers, the Lynx have a lot of potential to make some noise in Minnesota.
Is Jewell Lloyd ready to fly solo?
It feels weird to welcome a new season without Sue Bird, but here we are. Bird is enjoying retirement and Seattle’s other franchise player Breanna Stewart is in New York. That leaves Jewell Lloyd, the remaining cornerstone of the Storm.
Seattle is in rebuild mode but expect Lloyd to still up gaudy numbers across the board. Ezi Magbegor, Sami Whitcomb, and Mercedes Russell are steady role players but they won’t be able to replicate the output nor the sheer presence of Stewart and Bird.
It’ll be strange to see the Storm compete without Sue and Stewie but this is a good opportunity for them to chart a new path.
Aren’t we all just happy for BG?
Last season, it was all about bringing Brittney Griner home. And fortunately, she did come back home safe and sound last December after being wrongfully detained in Russia.
To have BG in Phoenix’s roster on opening day is already a heartwarming thought. She signed a one-year deal with the team so it makes you think about her long-term plan with the game.
Mercury has always been a dangerous team but the clock is ticking for their core. Diana Taurasi is still a beast but she’s already 41. Skylar Diggins-Smith will likely miss time as she is expecting her second child.
No matter what happens to the Mercury’s season, having BG on the court is already a win in itself.
