2026 WNBA Power Rankings

The WNBA has just experienced the most eventful off-season in its history. Eighteen months of negotiations, a new collective bargaining agreement, expansion, and a wealth of free agents… This 30th anniversary season promises to be as eventful as it is exciting.

While two teams stand out at the very top of the league, there is no shortage of serious contenders. With the start of the season fast approaching, here is an overview of what lies ahead this season.

15) Portland Fire : The arrival of a new franchise always raises a host of questions. In reality, the Portland Fire do not really see themselves as newcomers. The Oregon-based team actually played in the WNBA between 2000 and 2002. Back in action, the squad led by our former assistant coach Alex Sarama will rely on a rather promising line-up built around forward Bridget Carleton. On the one hand, free agents Megan Gustafson, Emily Engstler, Karlie Samuelson and Lexi Held will need to shoulder greater responsibility. On the other, rookies Iyana Martín and Frieda Bühner will bring offensive spark. There is simply too much uncertainty surrounding this mixed-bag of a squad to rank them any higher.

14) Connecticut Sun : As the sun sets on Connecticut, the Sun’s campaign rests on one person. In their final year before moving to Houston, the East Coast side are coming off an interesting off-season. Despite major departures such as DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, the arrival of Kennedy Burke – whom Rachid Meziane knows well – will provide some much-needed spacing. For whilst the frontcourt is well-stocked (Diamond Miller, Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Morrow…), the backcourt appears somewhat weaker. Amidst all these changes, the fate of the Connecticut Sun seems to rest on the shoulders of one player: Brittney Griner. Having arrived this summer, the centre will be the barometer of the franchise. The problem is that, since her horrific detention in Russia, the multiple All-Star has been a shadow of her former self. A rather lacklustre campaign is expected…

13) Toronto Tempo : Portland isn’t the only city to have joined the league this summer. Toronto has also joined the fray with a defence-oriented recruitment drive. With a dynamic Mabrey-Sykes frontcourt, the Canadians already have a very solid defensive foundation on paper. This is particularly true given that the physical presence of the Big Women offers a very interesting synergy. Selected sixth overall in the 2026 draft, Kiki Rice will be the star attraction in the Canadian capital. The home-grown talent is sure to learn a great deal alongside Marina Mabrey. However, the lack of experience and offensive firepower weighs too heavily when it comes to making our predictions.

12) Seattle Storm : Like a Bonnie and Clyde bank heist, the Emerald City was stripped of many of its stars during the off-season. Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Erica Wheeler, Brittney Sykes… In the space of a few months, the Storm have gone from serious title contenders to a team in rebuilding mode. But in the midst of this storm, a breath of fresh air straight from Europe has come to warm Seattle. While the key players have left, the future is already here. Alongside our French player Dominique Malonga, the highly promising rookie Awa Fam Thiam will complete a frontcourt brimming with potential. With this array of gems, Seattle could well be the team to watch this season. The gap in quality between the frontcourt and the backcourt is, however, too wide to envisage a place in the Top 10.

11) Washington Mystics : It’s not easy to assess the capital city’s team. The squad is so young that there are only a handful of certainties. One thing is certain about the Mystics: they’ve got plenty of talent in the pipeline! Last season’s rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Irafen, put in an All-Star-calibre season. Despite the change of GM, Washington has continued to draft heavily, amassing no fewer than six picks for 2026. Among them are Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalić and Cotie McMahon. This injection of new blood inevitably brings a dose of uncertainty. A rollercoaster season awaits the Mystics. It remains to be seen whether they’ll finish at the very top or the very bottom. Their lack of spacing, combined with this uncertainty, places them in 11th spot.

10) Chicago Sky : Who would have thought it ? Yes, Chicago is right in the thick of the race for the play-offs. It seems almost unbelievable, given how the off-season started. Atkins, but above all their superstar Angel Reese, were traded for draft picks, along with Rickea Jackson. Such losses would normally suggest a season of non-competitiveness, or even tanking. Yet the Sky are likely to emerge as dark horses, ready to pounce at the slightest slip-up by the supposedly superior teams. With the addition of Skylar Diggins and DiJonai Carrington to the backcourt, the retention of experienced players and the drafting of Gabriela Jaquez (sister of the Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr.), Windy City boasts a squad that is as complete as it is balanced. Not to mention players like Kamilla Cardoso, who are ready to take their game to the next level. For now, they are ranked 10th. The competition has been warned, however: this team will need to be watched very closely.

9) Phoenix Mercury : Brushed aside by Las Vegas in the 2025 WNBA Finals, Phoenix finds itself at a turning point in its recent history. The departure of their franchise player, Satou Sabally, coupled with Diana Taurasi’s retirement, has completely reshuffled the deck. Is the Mercury pushing the limits of its current squad? Were they right to stick with this roster during the off-season rather than completely overhauling it? Looking at the squad, Nate Tibbetts’s side appears entirely reliant on the Thomas-Copper duo. While other interesting players certainly round out the squad, there is no sense of collective chemistry. The three-point shot and mid-range game should once again carry this team, which is entirely reliant on its individual talents. Should their star have an incredible season, why not aim higher? In the meantime, Phoenix will fall just short of the playoffs.

8) Dallas Wings : This is the most dramatic rise in the rankings. Second from bottom in 2025, Dallas now sits in 8th place in our table. But what happened during the break to bring about such a change? For a start, the Wings’ management approached this period in a very pragmatic manner. They had the second-worst three-point percentage? Fine, we’ll draft sharpshooter Azzi Fudd. What’s more, the team sits at the very bottom of the WNBA’s defensive rankings? No problem, we’ll sign reigning DPOY Alanna Smith. These concrete measures have resulted in a very promising starting five. Alongside the names mentioned, we mustn’t forget Arike Ogunbowale, Maddy Siegrist and, of course, Paige Bueckers. Coming off a sensational rookie season, all the signs point to the star point guard making an even bigger impact on the league. However, a lack of familiarity within a largely revamped squad – combined with limited bench depth – could prove a hindrance. But reaching the play-offs would already be a tremendous achievement.

7) Golden State Valkyries : Never before has a franchise enjoyed such a rookie season. How can we look ahead to the 2026 campaign without mentioning 2025? In their first year in the league, Golden State took everyone by surprise by clinching an 8th-place finish that secured a play-off spot. In preparation for year two, the Californians have taken exactly the same ingredients that made them successful – namely defence – and improved on them. The signing of Gabby Williams perfectly reflects this approach. Considered for many years now as one of the very best defenders in the league, our French star will be the leader of this thriving project. Players such as Kayla Thornton, Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini and Tiffany Hayes have completely transformed since donning the purple jersey. It’s a rise in form that our French players Iliana Ruppert and Janelle Salaun are also part of. Perhaps there is still a slight lack of offensive talent. Nevertheless, the promise shown seems to be coming to fruition, hence this slight climb up the table.

6) Los Angeles Sparks : Plum, Atkins and Ogwumike. Three words, three names that perfectly sum up the Sparks. Out on the West Coast, it’s almost taken for granted that Los Angeles relies heavily on the form of its superstars. Of course, there are some very promising players surrounding this trio (otherwise they wouldn’t be so high up in our rankings). First and foremost is Cameron Brink. Having been injured for almost the entire previous season, the centre’s return should provide stability in the paint. She is a game-changer for this side, whose defensive frailties off the ball led to a fifth consecutive season without the playoffs. The presence of Dearica Hamby, Erica Wheeler, Rae Burrell and the rest of the squad is also a source of satisfaction. It is worth noting, however, the losses of Azura Stevens and Rickea Jackson, which weigh heavily on the balance. Lynne Roberts’ players may have found the solution to shore up their porous defence. It remains, nonetheless, a gamble, preventing us from including them in our Top 5.

5) Minnesota Lynx : The Sparks have some competition! Earlier, we mentioned the host of departures Seattle has suffered during the off-season. But in this regard, Minnesota takes centre stage! 5… The Lynx have lost 5 key players from their squad. 5 players whose performances propelled the franchise to the top of the regular season in 2025. A glittering list that includes Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, DiJonnai Carrington and superstar Alanna Smith. Amidst these departures, a wave of contract extensions has allowed the dark blue ship to weather the storm. The All-Star duo of McBride and Williams have re-signed, as has their franchise player, Napheesa Collier. Indeed, much of the final outcome will depend on the form of the power forward. Natasha Howard’s comeback is also worth highlighting. The X-factor for this team is surely Olivia Miles. The number 2 pick in the 2026 draft has the potential to make her mark in the premier women’s league. The foundations laid by Cheryl Reeve – the current US national team coach – remain intact. A solid foundation, providing a safety net. Due to the departures, Minnesota inevitably drops down the rankings. Even so, this 5th place finish remains a very respectable achievement.

4) Atlanta Dream : It’s not quite the Dream Team yet, but it’s getting there. Even before the free agent market opened, the WNBA already had its blockbuster off-season move. By signing two-time All-Star Angel Reese, Atlanta has sent a strong message to the competition. Caitlin Clark’s number one rival has been dominating the league since her first steps on North American courts. This signing is all the more remarkable given that the Dream have retained their Gray-Howard-Jones trio. An outside-inside triangle transformed into a devastating quartet. Angel Reese will indeed bring that extra bit of defence that was missing in the heart of the paint. Because on the other side of the court, a barrage of three-pointers is set to flood every arena across the US and Canada. Karl Smesko has warned: spacing will be key in Georgia! Especially when you consider the players in the squad. From Naz Hillmon on the wing to sixth woman Jordin Canada, Atlanta has a formidable line-up ready for the title race. The lack of a centre at this level leaves them just off the podium.

3) Indiana Fever : Imagine the Denver Nuggets without Jokic making it to within one game of the NBA Finals. Or the Lakers without Doncic, the Warriors without Curry, the Spurs without Wemby, or the Thunder without SGA. It seems unlikely, doesn’t it? Yet the Fever achieved this remarkable feat in the last playoffs. Without Caitlin Clark, Indiana went toe-to-toe with the reigning champions from Nevada. And they did so thanks to a squad as talented as it was well-drilled. Kelsey Mitchell took a real step forward as an offensive playmaker, whilst Aliyah Boston established herself as one of the league’s most versatile players. This remarkable run had the direct effect of unlocking something in the Eastern United States. They need to capitalise on this, and the team has clearly understood this by bringing back Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull, Monique Billings and Tyasha Harris to strengthen the bench. The franchise also used the draft to bolster their defensive line-up with the addition of Raven Johnson. Given the roster, we can expect a team that loves the three-pointer and runs all over the court. The icing on the cake is that, according to the latest reports, Caitlin Clark is in peak condition.

2) Las Vegas Aces : Will they do it ? Will they manage to clinch a fourth title in five years ? In any case, the Aces have followed the saying to a T: “Never change a winning team.” At the same time, it makes sense. When a team goes 4-0 in the finals, it’s hard to change it. So here we go again! In the backcourt are Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young—fire and ice. At the top of their game, this duo continues to slowly shut down opposing teams in every aspect of the game. On the wings, Jewell Loyd and NaLyssa Smith impress with their physicality. And finally, in the paint is A’ja Wilson, THE cornerstone of this project, the only four-time MVP in WNBA history. Las Vegas is by far the most seasoned team. Especially since the system established by Becky Hammon since 2022 seems to be at its peak. The only reason they aren’t sitting at the very top of the standings is that there’s a star-studded roster ahead of them.

1) New York Liberty : 19 All-Star Game selections, 17 All-WNBA Team selections, and 3 MVP titles. Welcome to New York ! Just like their 2023 season rivals, the Big Apple wants to win now. Except that, unlike Las Vegas, the Liberty haven’t gotten over that quarterfinal loss to Phoenix at all. The core of the team remains unchanged. However, two “Avengers” have joined this already competitive squad. Swingman Laney-Hamilton perfectly complements the backcourt alongside Sabrina Ionescu. But the biggest signing is in the frontcourt. Between Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart now stands… Satou Sabally! The now-former face of the Mercury is the final piece of this incredible puzzle. Now led by Chris Kolb – former assistant coach of the Warriors – the Big Apple boasts exceptional individual talents who also seem to mesh well together. All of this is backed by the best bench in the WNBA, featuring players like Anneli Maley, Han Xu, Marine Johannès, and even Leonie Fiebich. The only uncertainty lies in the chemistry. Will it all come together ? We’ll find out this summer !

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