The WNBA preseason is in full effect, and it has been a doozy so far. Although starters haven’t played much, the recent stretch of games has produced a plethora of dynamic games from players that the average fan may not have known previously. In seven days, however, the games start to matter as the league’s 30th anniversary season is slated to tip off.
Every team has something to prove this season, but there are a few that are a few bad games away from hearing the infamous saxophones blaring in the distance. Whether it be an underwhelming free agency or a lack of true direction, here are three teams that fit the mold ahead of the 2026 campaign.
All-Star forward Satou Sabally left the Mercury in free agency, forcing the franchise to alter its plan heading into 2026. Phoenix did manage to re-sign five of its top six scorers from last season, but is it enough talent to return to the WNBA Finals? As currently constructed, I don’t think that happens.
Not only did the Mercury lose a five-tool All-Star player, but there wasn’t much done to help replace her production. Not to mention that Kathryn Westbeld, who played a significant role in 2025, will miss the 2026 season with a torn ACL sustained while playing overseas in Hungary. Phoenix tends to lean into the international market for talent to fill out the roster, and this offseason was no different. Valeriane Ayayi and Noemie Brochant, members of France’s national team, are valuable additions with a range of skill sets.
It’s been a brutal stretch of years for the Chicago Sky since Candace Parker, Kahleah Copper, and a host of other All-Star-caliber players left the best city in the world to regain control of the reins guiding their careers. Angel Reese became the newest member of the infamous club after being traded to the Atlanta Dream on the first day of free agency.
thank you, Angel 🩵
wishing you the best in Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/JWGGOwVhGP
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 6, 2026
Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca clocked in and made two trades after Reese. First up was sending Ariel Atkins to the Los Angeles Sparks for Rickea Jackson. That’s still a puzzling move for the Los Angeles and a great one for Chicago. Pagliocca also sent another first-round pick to the Washington Mystics for Jacy Sheldon. A headscratcher, to say the least. In free agency, the Sky signed Skylar Diggins, Azura Stevens, and DiJonai Carrington. There’s a lot of talent on this team, but it doesn’t appear to be enough compared to what other teams added.
The Sparks hold the longest active playoff drought in the WNBA. That title will be bestowed upon a new recipient this season after Los Angeles brought franchise icon Nneka Ogwumike home and re-signed Dearica Hamby. To shore up the guard rotation, veteran guard Erica Wheeler returns to the City of Angels, where she played with Ogwumike during the 2021 season. That was also Wheeler’s best statistical season across the board.
It was always see you later, now I’ll see you soon… pic.twitter.com/Da2xCDv4ux
— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) April 10, 2026
The talented nucleus led by Ogwumike and Kelsey Plum has the tools to make it to the postseason, but at what cost? The Sparks had one of the league’s best young duos in Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink. Sure, Brink has had issues staying healthy to start her career, but sending Jackson to Chicago and putting Brink on the bench in favor of Ogwumike may seem like moves destined for success, but building a team around a slew of players older than 30 isn’t going to go as well as some may think. The league is getting younger, and the Sparks are going in the wrong direction.
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Born and raised in Chicago, Christan Braswell is a women’s sports journalist with a focus on the WNBA and women’s college basketball. He’s an avid fan of elevator screens and stuffed-crust pizza. Outside of sports, he’s an avid cook and lover of the great outdoors.
After 18 months of uncertainty and a shrunken offseason that concluded in two weeks, the 2026 WNBA campaign is nearly upon us. With over 100 players on the market in […]
