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 free agency, several teams saw widespread change down their rosters, while others were able to lock in their stars for the championship push ahead. Some teams made additions that could help them get back in the fight of contention. With six preseason games scheduled this weekend, there’s something to look for in each unit taking the floor for the first time after the first week of training camp. Let’s dive right into it.
Like the Liberty, the Fever didn’t need major alterations to what is a nearly completed picture. Without superstar guard Caitlin Clark down the stretch of the 2025 season and in the playoffs, Indiana defeated an Atlanta Dream team that went 30-14 in the regular season in three games in the first round of the 2025 playoffs, and took the eventual WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces to five games in the semifinals. That’s a successful season without your best offensive threat and one of the best players in the league. Losing Natasha Howard to the Minnesota Lynx may sting a bit, but that was before Fever general manager Amber Cox signed veteran posts Monique Billings and Myshia Hines-Allen, who both have winning track records and success as dependable role players. It also didn’t hurt to lock in perennial All-Star Aliyah Boston on a four-year deal and three-time guard All-Star Kelsey Mitchell on a core qualifying offer.
The Liberty arguably had one of the best offseason periods in the league, signing All-Star forward Satou Sabally in free agency and retaining the champion trio of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones on three-year deals. Star wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton returns to the Liberty after missing the 2025 season due to injury. Her absence was felt on both sides of the floor, so first-time head coach Chris DeMarco will be thrilled to have her experience back in the rotation. Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb leaned into the international scene for talent, dealing training camp offers to French star guard Pauline Astier and Spanish forward Raquel Carrera, to name a few. New York is banking on its continuity that brought the franchise its first WNBA championship in 2024.
Satou Sabally has agreed to a multiyear deal to join the New York Liberty, per @ShamsCharania, @alexaphilippou and @kendra__andrews
Liberty are LOADED 😳 pic.twitter.com/YKNPlhxUvr
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 11, 2026
The Sparks own the longest active playoff drought in the WNBA. Returning the team’s two top scorers in Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, as well as signing former longtime Spark Nneka Ogwumike speaks to an attempt to right the ship through veteran experience. Los Angeles is banking on a healthy season from Cameron Brink, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft. Brink has seen limited time on the court over the last two seasons due to a knee injury, appearing in just 34 games. It’ll be interesting to see how the team does with Ariel Atkins, who was acquired in a trade with the Chicago Sky for Rickea Jackson.
In what will go down in one of the most puzzling trades in WNBA history, the Sky will take the court this season for the first time without superstar forward Angel Reese, who was dealt to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks. In a late attempt to jumpstart another rebuild, Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca sent Ariel Atkins to the Sparks for Rickea Jackson and signed Skylar Diggins, Azura Stevens, and DiJonai Carrington in free agency. Diggins is 35, but is still one of the best two-way lead guards in the league. Stevens is one of the best offensive posts in the league and will look to cement her standing on a team where she’ll be prioritized. Jackson earns a fresh start in Chicago after a topsy-turvy start to her professional career in Los Angeles. Carrington isn’t cleared for activity yet, but will be a welcomed addition.
Skylar Diggins and Rickea Jackson are introduced as members of the Sky. #Skytown pic.twitter.com/S4o4lJggd2
— Chicago State of Mind Sports (@ChiStateOfMind_) April 15, 2026
The Mercury had an offseason that not many could have predicted. Losing Satou Sabally right after a Finals run turned heads and the inability to sign a top-tier free agency to pair with Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, who eventually re-signed with the team. Phoenix also brought back most of its top scorers from last season in DeWanna Bonner, Monique Akoa Makani, and Sami Whitcomb. Valériane Ayayi is the most intriguing addition after spending the last decade in Europe, leading a successful career with some of the best clubs in EuroLeague play.
It’s well-known that the Lynx are one of the biggest losers this offseason after seeing five key rotational players depart via free agency or the expansion draft. One of few bright spots ahead for Minnesota is the eventual return of perennial MVP candidate Napheesa Collier after undergoing surgery on both her ankles. The Lynx took all-around talent Olivia Miles with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 draft, who will be depended on early to start her professional career on the ball and off of it. The 5’11” guard has veteran Courtney Williams and Hall Of Famer Lindsay Whalen on the bench as an assistant coach to learn from.
⭐️ Lauren Betts
⭐️ Sonia Citron
⭐️ Shakira AustinWho is stopping the Washington Mystics? #WNBADraft pic.twitter.com/qu832HIPHG
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 13, 2026
The Mystics had six picks in the draft and it appeared as the team lacked direction when making them, taking UCLA star Lauren Betts with the No. 4 overall pick and not drafting a single player that could help space the floor around her, Kiki Iriafen, or Shakira Austin. All-Star Sonia Citron and rookie guard Georgia Amoore will have their work cut out for them as two of the best spacers from outside.
The Storm are one the teams that might as well have entered the Sarah Strong sweepstakes for 2028. After losing Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins in free agency, Seattle retained Ezi Magbegor, traded for Flau’jae Johnson during the draft, and signed Natisha Hiedeman and Stefanie Dolson as experienced veterans to help shape the culture. Jordan Horston returns to the active roster after rehabbing a torn ACL, which will help raise Magbegor’s offensive ceiling when she returns to the court. Awa Fam is expected to report to Seattle in mid-May after the LF Endesa season in Spain wraps up.
It’s hard to call the 3rd overall pick a steal, but, to me, Awa Fam fits the label
She was my #1 overall prospect of the draft and has a sky-high ceiling on both ends of the floor
At 19 years old and 6’4”, you can’t teach the fluidity and feel she has with the ball in her hands https://t.co/VEN3qHK4DH pic.twitter.com/gA4GSxWcxA
— Point Made Joshua (@pointmadejosh) April 22, 2026
After reaching the playoffs in its inaugural season, the Valkyries added all-world talent Gabby Williams in free agency and look forward to the delayed arrival of Justė Jocytė, the franchise’s first-ever WNBA draft pick. Veronica Burton was last season’s Sixth Player of the Year and will improve further. Key rotation players, like Cecilia Zandalasini, Janelle Salaun, and Tiffany Hayes are running it back after a successful first season together. Kayla Thornton is fresh off an injury that saw her miss the second half of the 2025 season.
The Las Vegas Aces enter yet another WNBA season as the team to beat for the third time in the past four years. The team’s core four of A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewelll Loyd for another run at a championship. NaLyssa Smith was acquired at the midpoint of last season to help shore up the front court rotation and will look to do the same in 2026 season as a projected starter.
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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.
With the WNBA Draft and most of free agency out of the way, all eyes turn towards training camp. Teams officially open their doors on Sunday ahead of the league’s […]
