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Michael Voepel
Multiple Authors
SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase didn’t hesitate to say how much time she has spent thinking about the 2027 WNBA season: none.
Every bit of her brain power was focused on winning the 2026 league title. On Saturday, the Valkyries clinched the championship with a Game 7 victory over the Atlanta Dream.
The WNBA champion Golden State Valkyries are projected to start next season at the same place they ended 2026: at the top. They are No. 1 in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early WNBA Power Rankings for 2027.
Free agency, trades and April’s draft will change teams’ fortunes, so this could all look very different by next spring. However, the Valkyries — who ended the regular season as No. 1 in our Power Rankings — stay there as we project into 2027.
Championship players Gabby Williams, Veronica Burton, Kiah Stokes and Kaila Charles are among the players who already are under contract with Golden State for next season.
Winning the title in just their second season of existence could help make the Valkyries bigger contenders in a free agent market that has several top players available. Of course, with team chemistry and depth being such big factors this season, we’ll see how much Golden State wants to change for its title defense season.
“I think this is just the start of what we’re trying to build here,” Stokes said.
2026: 32-12, won WNBA title
The Valkyries became champions thanks to their league-best defense and two free agent pickups — forward Williams and center Stokes — for 2026 that fit in perfectly with the way Nakase wanted to play. The two UConn alums were happy with the spotlight being spread among the entire team. That said, both were individually huge: Williams led Golden State in scoring in the regular season and playoffs, while Stokes became the defensive difference-maker in the postseason. Several elite scorers will be free agents, so we will watch if Golden State pursues any of them. But it’s hard to see Nakase drastically changing her focus on defense.
2026: 30-14, WNBA runner-up
The Dream could jump up to the top spot by the time the preseason rankings come out, because they have all five starters — led by forward Angel Reese and guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray — under contract for 2027, along with forward Brionna Jones, who missed most of this season (leg injury). Jones would have helped the Dream with physical play inside had she been in the playoffs. The return of this group, along with any changes the Dream make to expand their depth, means we could be back in Atlanta for the WNBA Finals again next season. If so, hopefully with no arena uncertainty, as the Dream will move into State Farm Arena full time in 2027.
2026: 2026: 31-13, lost in semifinals to Golden State
The Aces were swept in the semifinals by the Valkyries, a result that didn’t seem as surprising when Golden State went on to win the championship. Still, Las Vegas’ standards behind five-time MVP A’ja Wilson have been so high that this season felt a bit like a letdown. That’s a good problem to have if you’re the Aces. They now face a potential challenge to the core trio that has played together the past six seasons: Center Wilson and guard Chelsea Gray are signed for next season, but guard Jackie Young is a free agent. Bringing her back and adding depth are important keys.
2026: 2026: 28-16, lost in first round to Atlanta
The Mystics overachieved this season for such a youthful team, and that youth is the same reason we are projecting them this high for next season. Washington could bring back a very similar team, but this time with playoff experience. With three young players as good as center Shakira Austin, forward Kiki Iriafen and guard Sonia Citron, there are reasons to expect big things from the Mystics.
2026: 2026: 28-16, lost in first round to Las Vegas
The Fever will have someone else in charge of player personnel going forward, since president Kelly Krauskopf and general manager Amber Cox are not returning. The biggest question is whether free agent guard Kelsey Mitchell, who has spent her nine-season career in Indianapolis, remains as part of a dynamic backcourt with Caitlin Clark. If that high-scoring duo again joins center Aliyah Boston, plus the Fever also get a key addition such as a strong defender on the wing who is also a decent scoring threat, then they will start the season projected higher than fifth.
2026: 26-18, lost in semifinals to Atlanta
The Liberty were never quite the team everyone expected them to be, and injuries had a lot to do with that. The biggest absence was forward Satou Sabally, a huge offseason acquisition who was limited to 13 games in 2026 due to concussion issues. Forward Breanna Stewart had another fantastic season, but she needed more consistent help. Stewart, center Jonquel Jones, guard Sabrina Ionescu, and forward Leonie Fiebich are all under contract for next season. For now, coach Chris DeMarco is also still with the team, although there were rumblings about his job after just one season. The Liberty must focus on making sure they give a generational player such as Stewart, 32, every chance to try to win at least one more title.
2026: 33-11, lost in first round to New York
We’ve learned not to underestimate the Lynx, but they could be looking at a big change for 2027 if star forward Napheesa Collier leaves in free agency. It would bring a new era to Minnesota, one Lynx fans don’t want to see. It’s safe to assume Collier will have plenty of potential suitors. One big positive that’s certain for Minnesota is point guard Olivia Miles, who ran away with Rookie of the Year honors and should be just as fun to watch in her second season. Minnesota’s other key players from this season — guards Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams and forwards Natasha Howard and Nia Brodie — also are signed for 2027. But the Lynx need Collier back, plus they must figure out how to extend their regular-season success into a longer postseason stay than the past two years.
2026: 27-17, lost in first round to Golden State
On the plus side, the Wings have most of their top contributors signed for 2027, including guards Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Arike Ogunbowale and forward Jessica Shepard. There are some big questions, though. How healthy will Fudd be after her rookie season was cut short by arthroscopic knee surgery? Can the Wings improve their defense enough to move into contender status? Will they be able to add more quality depth, especially at the small forward spot? Good answers to all those questions could mean a longer 2027 postseason.
2026: 16-28, missed playoffs
The Mercury went from the WNBA Finals in 2025 to missing the playoffs in 2026, despite having two stars in guard/forward Kahleah Copper and forward Alyssa Thomas. The Mercury had moments in games where they looked really good, yet they often still lost those games and never really put things together for a sustained run all season. They made a trade for guard Kelsey Plum in August, but she played just five games with Phoenix after being limited to 12 with Los Angeles due to a foot injury. It was a risk for the Mercury, since Plum is a free agent. If she opts to return and join Copper and Thomas, who are already signed for 2027, Phoenix could have a very good core three. If Plum goes elsewhere, the Mercury must try to make another big move.
2026: 8-36, missed playoffs
The Storm had the worst record in the WNBA this year and still might not be ready for a playoff run in 2027. But we expect they will be better. And there’s hope for a bright future if they can get help where they need it most, especially at point guard. The Storm have a strong young post duo in Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam, both lottery picks the past two years. Those two and rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson combined to average 51.5% of Seattle’s points. Also back for next season is veteran guard Natisha Hiedeman, who averaged 14.7 points. Unfortunately, post player Ezi Magbegor suffered an ACL injury during the FIBA World Cup in September, so we will await her status for 2027.
2026: 16-28, missed playoffs
The Sky missed the playoffs for the third year in a row. The Angel Reese trade to Atlanta before the season took the wind out of the Sky’s sails, and then injuries derailed the season. Forward Rickea Jackson suffered a torn ACL in her fourth game, and guard Skylar Diggins (knee injury) didn’t play after July 3. If both are back strong for 2027, that will lift the Sky’s hopes, along with center Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago’s leading scorer and rebounder in 2026, who will be back for her fourth season. The Sky seem to think they have enough talent if everyone is healthy, but it’s hard to say that for sure.
2026: 17-27, missed playoffs
French guard Carla Leite, who spent her rookie season with Golden State in 2025, blossomed with expansion Portland this year. She led the Fire in scoring (16.1) and assists (6.3) and was one of the league’s most improved players. Portland struggled in the final weeks of the season, losing seven of its last nine. However, the two teams the Fire beat in that stretch were eventual finalists Atlanta and Golden State. That showed that Portland was still competing hard until the end. Leite, forward Bridget Carleton and center Megan DiLeo are all signed for 2027, but the Portland must add more talent to be a playoff contender.
13. Houston Comets
2026 as the Connecticut Sun: 11-33, missed playoffs
In one of the more unusual “resurrections” in pro sports, original WNBA franchise Houston returns by way of the Connecticut Sun relocating. The Comets won the first four WNBA titles, but the franchise disbanded after the 2008 season. Much has changed in the league in the 18 years since, and now Texas’ most populated city gets another chance to support the WNBA. Houston native Brittney Griner, 36, was with Connecticut this season. Will the veteran center make the move back to her home city as a free agent? And how many young players from this past season will the Comets keep? The biggest question of all, though, is will they win the lottery and get the No. 1 pick? We’ll find out Nov. 15.
2026: 11-33, missed playoffs
The expansion Tempo were .500 as late as June 25 but then won just two more games the rest of the season. Their only victory in their last 21 games was against fellow expansion team Portland on Aug. 21. What hopes Toronto had got washed away by injuries, which impacted top guards Brittney Sykes, Marina Mabrey and Kiki Rice. All are under contract for next season, and if they return strong, that is a foundation to build upon. But the Tempo need more help, especially in the post. Toronto, which has the same odds for the No. 1 draft pick as Houston, also could get a big boost from that selection.
2026: 16-28, missed playoffs
The Sparks seem to have more uncertainty than any team. They don’t have a coach and their new general manager, Ariana Andonian, will have her hands full trying to replace retiring face of the franchise Nneka Ogwumike. Forwards Dearica Hamby and Cameron Brink and guards Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler are signed for 2027, but the Sparks need more talent to try to end their six-year playoff drought.
