1. Seattle Storm (21-11 last year)
Yes, Chicago has its title core back. Yes, Connecticut is finally healthy. But when Seattle has forward Breanna Stewart healthy, the Storm wins. It's kinda that simple. With the best player in the world the Storm won it all in 2018 and 2020. Without Stewart? Not so much, including last season, when she was injured late and missed the playoffs. Well, she's back, at least for now; many assume Stewart will head to New York once Sue Bird has retired. The core of Stewart and guards Bird and Jewell Loyd is intact. Watch out.
2. Chicago Sky (16-16)
They're all back. The Sky re-signed wing Kahleah Copper and guards Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley and added forward Emma Meesseman, the finals MVP for Washington in 2019, and guard Julie Allemand. Candace Parker is still an MVP candidate. This team finished .500 last year before catching fire late. Expect a more dominant start this season, and a chance for the Sky to become the first WNBA team to repeat as league champions since Los Angeles in 2001 and 2002.
3. Connecticut Sun (26-6)
This could, finally, be the Sun's year. Star post Jonquel Jones has been re-signed, long term. The Sun added Courtney Williams, who will provide more offense than Briann January, whom Williams replaces. Perhaps most importantly, Alyssa Thomas should be back to 100 percent. The core of Jones, Thomas and DeWanna Bonner is an intimidating one. The Sun has reached at least the semifinals three straight years, and was runner-up in 2019. This could be the year.
4. Las Vegas Aces (24-8)
The Aces will look like a very different team than the post-dominant team of the last few years. Becky Hammon has replaced Bill Laimbeer as coach, and there is a new GM. Center Liz Cambage is gone. But that might be OK. Hammon wants to run a more up-tempo, spread-out offense anchored by A'ja Wilson in the post. The team's personnel, which includes forward Dearica Hamby and guards Jackie Young and Kelsey Plum seems tailor-made for Hammon's offense.
