WNBA Preseason Power Rankings and Predictions
WNBAnow's first Power Rankings of 2024; Season Award Predictions
With the 2024 WNBA preseason officially underway, what better time to make some bold and spicy predictions for the upcoming season? First, here’s a look at our preseason Power Rankings. Las Vegas checks in atop the list, of course, as they look to stake their claim as the best team ever assembled. A third consecutive title would would go a long way to validating that claim as it would mark just the second time in league history that a team has won three straight titles. Their road to immortality got a little tougher this past week, however, with legend of the game Candace Parker announcing her retirement from the league. Many would argue that Parker was a luxury for the Aces, so the loss isn’t as impactful as another player would have been. This argument isn’t without merit, of course, but with a stronger, deeper league around them, I can guarantee Becky Hammon isn’t viewing it that way. Speaking of the strength of the league, our macro expectations for this season are that it will produce the most competitive season the W has ever seen. The margin between teams is more narrow than ever before, and we wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see any teams listed 2-8 hosting a home playoff series.
Las Vegas Aces
Seattle Storm
New York Liberty
Connecticut Sun
Atlanta Dream
Minnesota Lynx
Pheonix Mercury
Dallas Wings
Indiana Fever
Chicago Sky
Los Angeles Sparks
Washington Mystics
The 2023 WNBA season had plenty of note-worthy storylines. From the creation of the league’s first “SuperTeam” to the excellence of the Las Vegas Aces repeat championship. But, honestly, the 2023 season might be most remembered for 4th place-gate. This, of course, is referring to the final tally of the media’s MVP voting which saw one anonymous voter put A’ja Wilson fourth. Devoid of who you thought should have won MVP, a fourth-place vote was, in no uncertain terms, a vote against Wilson winning. Needless to say, this was an egregious use of a vote and sparked an in-depth conversation on transparency throughout the league. One notable figure to stay quiet, however, was Wilson herself. Much like her long-awaited, and long overdue, shoe deal, Wilson handled herself with nothing but poise, determination and faith throughout the award season and the subsequent controversy. This season, she will leave absolutely zero doubts (as if there were any) of who the best player on the planet is. We see her as our run-away MVP of 2024. Here are our other notable award predictions.
Most Valuable Player: A’ja Wilson - Las Vegas
Most Improved Player: Rae Burrell - Los Angeles
Sixth Player of the Year: Aerial Powers - Connecticut
Defensive Player of the Year: Aliyah Boston - Indiana
Rookie of the Year: Caitlin Clark - Indiana
Coach of the Year: Teresa Weatherspoon - Chicago
Executive of the Year: Talisa Rhea - Seattle
Scoring Champion: Rhyne Howard - Atlanta