Mateo’s Hoop Diary: WNBA season preview

The WNBA is almost back (May 14), and excitement is high for the league’s 28th season.

In preparation for the upcoming campaign, 2.45 million people tuned in to the Draft on April 15, the most ever viewed in WNBA history.

Training camp started on April 28 and the preseason is kicking off May 3. Rosters will be finalized on May 13. Due to the nature of the business- only 12 roster spots per team- many promising rookies will get cut.

And there are many storylines to watch. Some of the note are as follows: Watch the Throne Part Two with the Las Vegas Aces as they try to win a third consecutive championship. There’s Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston’s dynamic pairing for the Indiana Fever. The New York Liberty are on a quest for redemption after losing in the Finals in five games. And there’s also the Connecticut Sun’s unorthodox star, Alyssa Thomas’ follow-up to a historic season.

Let’s examine the power rankings:

12. Los Angeles Sparks

The Sparks are a rebuilding operation looking to fill the void of Nneka Ogwumike, who left for the Seattle Storm in free agency.

The top priority of the season is getting center Cameron Brink, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year, some reps and Curt Miller’s team building good habits.

11. Chicago Sky

Center Kamilla Cardoso and forward Angel Reese, both champions at the NCAA level, are Chicago’s frontcourt duo of the future. The former stands at 6-foot-7, scored 14.4 points per game in her last year at South Carolina, passes well out of double teams, absorbs rebounds and is a productive shot blocker. The latter is a dominant rebounder and scorer at 6-foot-3, plus an instinctual defender.

When asked about the duo at her introductory press conference, Reese said, “If I miss a defensive assignment, [Cardoso] is going to be there. If she misses a defensive assignment, I’m going to be there.”

Over the offseason, Kahleah Copper and Morgan Bertsch were traded to the Phoenix Mercury for Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, a 2024 1st-round pick ( was used on Cardoso), plus extra future draft compensation. And Courtney Williams and Allana Smith signed with the Minnesota Lynx in free agency.

This is the team’s first season under Teresa Weatherspoon.

10. Washington Mystics

Elena Delle Donne, the most efficient scorer on the team, is sitting out the 2024 campaign because of a contract dispute. Guard Brittney Sykes will lead the team in her absence, and this pushes the Mystics toward a rebuilding season.

The development of Aaliyah Edwards, UCONN’s forward taken six overall in the recent Draft, is pivotal for her pairing next to center Shakira Austin. At school and for Team Canada, Edwards was an impactful defender and helper. And with both of their gifts and IQ, there’s potential for Austin and Edwards to turn into a strangling tandem.

9. Indiana Fever

Clark and Boston are destined to make a tremendous half-court pairing. The former is a flashy and effective shot creator. The latter is the most efficient scorer in the league, going into her second year.

Their two-women actions via pick and roll and weaves will open up the perimeter. Individually, Boston will attract extra help near the basket. Clark is so lethal that traps will be sent at her often on the wings.

To boot, the Fever converted 34% of hoisted trays in 2023. Its top snipers Kelsey Mitchell and Kristy Wallace’s lives just got much easier.

8. Dallas Wings

The Wings drafted Jacy Sheldon fifth overall in the latest Draft and are running back last year’s group. The group was last in 3-point percentage (31.7), second in free throw attempts + makes (20.3, 16.4), and first in rebounds and offensive rebounds (38.7, 11.8).

Additionally, according to ESPN, Satou Sabally is expected to return from shoulder surgery in August. She is a two-way force, and her absence is irreplaceable.

Arike Ogunbowale, Natasha Howard and Crystal Dangerfield will have more responsibilities until Sabally is cleared for action.

7. Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury upgraded, signing Natasha Cloud, and bringing in Kahleah Copper and Rebecca Allen via trade. Brittney Griner is still a dominant force in the middle. And Diana Taurasi is a trap killer who can create off the dribble.

They have the potential to double last year’s win total (9).

6. Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier’s work on both sides is the driving force of the team. In 2023, she was the Lynx’s leader in points (21.5), rebounds (8.5), steals (1.6), and blocks (1.2).

The squad will depend on Kayla McBride’s 3-point shooting, Diamond Miller’s shot creation, and Natasha Hiedeman’s electricity off the bench.

5. Atlanta Dream

Former rookie of the year (2022) Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Cheyenne Parker, Tina Charles, Aerial Powers and Jordin Canada are the heavies for the Dream.

Canada should draw extra help from defenders when running pick-and-roll sets with Parker.

A third-year leap for Howard could propel the Dream to further prosperity.

4. Seattle Storm

In 2023, the Storm were last in assists (17.7). That will change with new additions, forward Nneka Ogwumike and point guard Skylar Diggins-Smith. Their involvement will take pressure off the league’s leading scorer, Jewell Loyd, on offense and make them a threat.

Ogwumike is also an excellent rebounder who will limit opponents’ possessions and make a top four group in this category stronger.

3. Connecticut Sun

The trade the Sun made, sending Rebecca Allen to the Phoenix Mercury for Moriah Jefferson, is an intriguing swap of defense for offense. It will be tough to lose the former’s perimeter protections, but the club’s best scorer, DeWanna Bonner, is about to be age 37. She and playmaking big Alyssa Thomas need another bucket-getter.

Although Jefferson was DPOY at UCONN, she can play D, but her effectiveness as a player eight inches shorter than Allen and a nine-inch shorter reach won’t have as much impact.

Additionally, Thomas does almost everything for the group. Last year, she put up 15.5 points nightly and was first in rebounding (9.9), second in assists (7.9) + minutes (36.2) and third in steals (1.8).

The return of Brionna Jones gives the Sun a stronger front line.

2. New York Liberty

Jonquel Jones, a top-three center who causes overreactions galore, re-signed with the Liberty on a two year deal.

The Liberty have the personnel to play and be just as good as they were in the last campaign. The reigning MVP Breanna Stewart is at the peak of his abilities, impacting the game as a high-level scorer, rebounder and passer.

Sabrina Ionescu is a dangerous sniper and sets up her teammates well.

Courtney Vandersloot is veteran playmaker who was the league leader in assists in 2023.

And Betnijah Laney is one of the fiercest 3-and-D players in the game. Her ability to pick up ball handlers in full-court press is a huge asset, too.

But being as good as last year would be a disappointment, in spite of the crew winning 32 of 40 games.

This season, the team shouldn’t wait so long to make Jones a focal point of the offense. She may have spent a chunk of 2023 working herself into game shape, but she was fourth in scoring average for the Liberty, which is unacceptable. Jones can get 16 points and 10 rebounds nightly at 50% of her power.

To get to another level, the Liberty must run more two-women actions for Jones and Stewart so the squad can generate more free throw attempts and put the opponent in foul trouble. The Liberty were 10th of 12 teams in free throw attempts (16.7) in 2023.

1. Las Vegas Aces

The defending champions are a bit weaker following the retirement of legendary forward/center Candace Parker. Her replacement at power forward is Kiah Stokes, who filled in as a starter after Parker fractured her foot and didn’t play past July 7.

On top of that, winning two rings in a row is a mentally taxing experience and has made the unit a larger target than before.

Regardless, the Aces are at the top of the WNBA’s arms race.

Nobody puts more pressure on a defense when attacking the paint than A’ja Wilson, the 6-foot-4 center and reigning Finals MVP. And on defense, she is the league’s top lane protector.

Chelsea Gray, the league’s top playmaker, can make any pass in transition plus the half court and creates separation going left or right. Gray can stop on a dime from long-range for a jumper, too.

Jackie Young is an elusive three-level gunslinger. She was the team’s top 3-point shooter in 2023 (44.9%).

And Kelsey Plum is a combo guard who can take over. Last season, Plum was second on the Aces in scoring (18.7 points) and second in assists (4.5).

—

Important dates for the WNBA this season:

The Commissioner’s Cup Tournament runs from June 1-13.

The Commissioner’s Cup Championship is on June 25.

The All-Star break stretches from July 18-21.

The Olympic break lasts from July 21- Aug. 14.

The trade deadline is on Aug. 20.

The Playoffs start on Sept. 22.