With the WNBA Draft and free agency out of the way, the WNBA sets its sights on the May 14th opening day. As it stands, all teams, at least on paper, have a shot at the coveted WNBA championship. In reality, only a select few teams will capitalize on an explosive draft night and take their first steps this season to glory.
The weeks after the 2020 WNBA Finals and before the WNBA Draft proved to be filled with trades, contract deals, the testing of free agency, and the comeback of sidelined players. It may be a little overwhelming. As the first WNBA training camp gets underway, we take a look at the top 5 WNBA teams as the historic 25th season begins.
Dallas Wings
Rook 👉Rook 💪@Danaaakianaaa x @charlicollier #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/Sulz0PH4bu
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) April 27, 2021
With the first and second overall picks in the WNBA Draft, it would be damn hard to mess that opportunity up. Dallas took Charli Collier and Awak Kuier with their first two picks and secured two frontcourt players who provide defense and spacing on the court. Dallas took things a step further and drafted two of the top 10 guards coming out of Women College Basketball. Heading into the training camp period, Dallas will have to keep the momentum of draft night and gear up for an exciting season in Dallas. With last season’s 8-14 record, Dallas has nowhere to go but up.
Atlanta Dream
Workin’ 😤#GoDream pic.twitter.com/mOWr2sYDuD
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 28, 2021
Atlanta was another team in desperate need of an identity. They have an all-around group of guards but no one willing to take leadership on the court. Here’s hoping 3rd overall pick Aari McDonald can help with that. McDonald provides defense in the backcourt and a double-double machine which comes in handy to be a floor general. Like Dallas and New York, Atlanta missed the 2020 WNBA postseason. With a combination of guards, Atlanta Dream has no excuse this season.
Minnesota Lynx
We’re all in this together. pic.twitter.com/3XQ9Lq4NkD
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 28, 2021
Lynx will head into the training camp with No. 9 pick Rennia Davis and mounds of problems needing to be addressed before they can even step onto a WNBA court. During their playoff run, Minnesota was outrebounded, assisted, and scored. Overall, the team wasn’t prepared despite landing the 4th seed. Davis should be able to help alleviate the pressure of trying to do too much throughout the season.
Los Angeles Sparks
Building something 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 out here 👀🌴#RootedInLA pic.twitter.com/nlAcqL0SVE
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 28, 2021
By trading up to the 7th overall pick, Sparks was able to grab power forward Jasmine Walker. Going into the training camp, both Walker and (No. 22 pick) guard Arella Guirantes should help continue the Sparks’ previous 15-7 record season into another championship run.
Chicago Sky
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 27, 2021
Since Candice Parker announced she was leaving the Los Angeles Sparks for the Windy City, many have wondered how Chicago will fare this season. It was one of the biggest free agency moves in WNBA history and it’s time to see how it plays out. Parker joins a talented MVP-filled roster as they look to get over that last hurdle and return to their former glory back in 2013-2016.
