Michael VoepelOct 31, 2026, 10:24 PM ETCloseMichael Voepel is a senior writer who covers the WNBA, women’s college basketball and other college sports. Voepel began covering women’s basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.Multiple AuthorsOpen Extended ReactionsSAN 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.1. Golden State Valkyries2026: 32-12, won WNBA titleThe 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.2. Atlanta Dream2026: 30-14, WNBA runner-upThe 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 2027.3. Las Vegas Aces2026: 2026: 31-13, lost in semifinals to Golden StateThe 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.4.
Washington Mystics2026: 2026: 28-16, lost in first round to AtlantaThe 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.5. Indiana Fever2026: 2026: 28-16, lost in first round to Las VegasThe 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.6. New York Liberty2026: 26-18, lost in semifinals to AtlantaThe 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.7.
Minnesota Lynx2026: 33-11, lost in first round to New YorkWe’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.8. Dallas Wings2026: 27-17, lost in first round to Golden StateOn 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.9.
Phoenix Mercury2026: 16-28, missed playoffsThe 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.10. Seattle Storm2026: 8-36, missed playoffsThe 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 f
