play1:57McNutt: Angel Reese trade benefits all parties involvedMonica McNutt joins “SportsCenter” to break down what the Sky trading Angel Reese to the Dream means for both teams.
play0:50Azzi Fudd: I’m ready to do everything I can for DallasAzzi Fudd tells Holly Rowe how she will bring her UConn mentality to the Dallas Wings.
play1:28Kelsey Plum’s best plays from last seasonLook back at Kelsey Plum’s top plays from last season after signing a deal to return to the Sparks.
play0:56Minnesota Lynx select Olivia Miles with No. 2 pickOlivia Miles is headed to Minnesota after the Lynx select her in the 2026 WNBA draft.
play0:22Iyana Martin Carrion becomes first pick by expansion Portland FireIyana Martin Carrion is selected No. 7 by the Portland Fire in the 2026 WNBA draft.
play1:02Seattle Storm select Awa Fam Thiam with No. 3 pickAwa Fam Thiam is selected No. 3 by the Seattle Storm in the 2026 WNBA draft.
play0:55Kiki Rice becomes first pick by expansion Toronto TempoKiki Rice is selected No. 6 by the Toronto Tempo in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Shams: Wilson staying with Aces on $5 million deal (0:48)Shams: Wilson is staying with Aces on $5 million deal. (0:48)
McNutt: Angel Reese trade benefits all parties involvedMonica McNutt joins “SportsCenter” to break down what the Sky trading Angel Reese to the Dream means for both teams.
Monica McNutt joins “SportsCenter” to break down what the Sky trading Angel Reese to the Dream means for both teams.
Azzi Fudd: I’m ready to do everything I can for DallasAzzi Fudd tells Holly Rowe how she will bring her UConn mentality to the Dallas Wings.
Kelsey Plum’s best plays from last seasonLook back at Kelsey Plum’s top plays from last season after signing a deal to return to the Sparks.
Minnesota Lynx select Olivia Miles with No. 2 pickOlivia Miles is headed to Minnesota after the Lynx select her in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Iyana Martin Carrion becomes first pick by expansion Portland FireIyana Martin Carrion is selected No. 7 by the Portland Fire in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Seattle Storm select Awa Fam Thiam with No. 3 pickAwa Fam Thiam is selected No. 3 by the Seattle Storm in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Kiki Rice becomes first pick by expansion Toronto TempoKiki Rice is selected No. 6 by the Toronto Tempo in the 2026 WNBA draft.
Michael VoepelCloseMichael VoepelESPN Senior WriterMichael 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.Follow on X, Kendra Andrews, Alexa PhilippouCloseAlexa PhilippouESPNCovers women’s college basketball and the WNBA Previously covered UConn and the WNBA Connecticut Sun for the Hartford Courant Stanford graduate and Baltimore native with further experience at the Dallas Morning News, Seattle Times and Cincinnati EnquirerFollow on X, Kareem CopelandMultiple AuthorsApr 17, 2026, 08:00 AM ET
The camps are the first chance for rookies to practice with their new teammates. Some rookies who were drafted won’t make rosters. Others who weren’t drafted but were invited to camp might win spots.
During the camps and preseason games, some players will emerge in bigger roles than last season. And teams’ chemistry will begin to build for the upcoming 44-game season.
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, Kendra Andrews, Kareem Copeland and Michael Voepel look at the biggest question facing each team heading into camp.
2025 record: 30-14 (tied for second place), lost 2-1 in first round of playoffs to Indiana Season opener: at Minnesota (May 10, 7 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, Angel Reese
Reese is joining a group of veterans who worked well together last year in Atlanta, and that should be good for her continued development. — Voepel
McNutt: Angel Reese trade benefits all parties involved
2025 record: 10-34 (tied for last place) Season opener: at Portland (May 9, 9 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Rachel Banham, Kamilla Cardoso, Skylar Diggins, Rickea Jackson, Azura Stevens
Stevens is familiar with Chicago; she played for the Sky for three seasons from 2020 to 2022. But during the past three seasons in Los Angeles, she has evolved into a full-time starter. It will be intriguing watching Stevens and Jackson work with third-year center Cardoso, especially with veteran point guard Diggins also added to the mix. She tied for third in the WNBA in assists per game (6.0) last season. — Voepel
2025 record: 11-33 (11th place), did not make playoffs Season opener: at New York (May 8, 7:30 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Kennedy Burke, Brittney Griner, Leila Lacan, Aneesah Morrow, Saniya Rivers
Nonetheless, there is basketball to be played in Uncasville this summer. The team remains in rebuilding mode, leaning on a youth movement: Twelve players on their current roster ahead of camp have two or fewer years of experience in the league; only three have more than four: Shey Peddy, Burke and Griner. As the franchise prepares for its final chapter in Connecticut, there is plenty of intriguing young talent that Houston can look to build around long term. — Philippou
2025 record: 10-34 (tied for last place), did not make playoffs Season opener: at Indiana (May 9, 1 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, Arike Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith
After the Wings signed Smith in free agency, Bueckers posted an Instagram story of herself jumping into a pool and shouting in celebration, “I can’t believe this is my life! Smiling through it all. We was in the trenches!”
It’s clear that the Wings are looking to capitalize off their back-to-back No. 1 picks. With new coach Jose Fernandez leading the way, how quickly can this group mesh? A key part of that will be how the backcourt of Bueckers, Fudd and Ogunbowale jells. Ogunbowale struggled last season in a new role and system, but after re-signing her to a two-year deal, the Wings are banking on her finding her form again or perhaps reshaping it to fit playing alongside talented guards. — Philippou
Azzi Fudd: I’m ready to do everything I can for Dallas
Azzi Fudd tells Holly Rowe how she will bring her UConn mentality to the Dallas Wings.
2025 record: 23-21 (eighth), lost 2-0 in first round of playoffs to Minnesota Season opener: at Seattle (May, 10 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Veronica Burton, Iliana Rupert, Janelle Salaun, Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams
In its inaugural season, the Valkyries became one of the league’s most valuable franchises and the first WNBA expansion team to make the playoffs. They had one All-Star (Thornton), another player awarded as Most Improved Player (Burton) and Natalie Nakase was voted Coach of the Year. So how does Golden State top that?
In free agency, the Valkyries brought in Williams, who is sure to fit the team’s defense-first identity, but they lost key contributors as well. Thornton (knee injury) is back after missing the second half of the season, and they have a talented rookie in Marta Suarez. But how will the Valkyries respond to expectations? Golden State is no longer an unknown, so whether it can match last season’s success will be a challenge. — Andrews
2025 record: 24-20 (sixth), lost 3-2 in the semifinals to Las Vegas Season opener: vs. Dallas (May 9, 1 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Monique Billings, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell
With a healthy Clark, Mitchell coming off a career year (20.2 points per game) and Boston continuing to ascend after three All-Star selections in her first three years — coach Stephanie White will begin her second year — the goal is to win a title. Period. — Copeland
2025 record: 30-14 (second), won WNBA title Season opener: vs. Phoenix (May 9, 3:30 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Kierstan Bell, Chelsea Gray, NaLyssa Smith, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young
Free agency was productive yet boring for Las Vegas as it retained its big four of Wilson, Young, Gray and Jewell Loyd. Wilson signed the largest contract in WNBA history with a three-year, $5 million supermax after winning her league-record fourth MVP.
Can keeping 23 All-Star selections and 13 championships be considered boring, though? That’s enough to win a title with nearly any supporting cast. And Smith, Bell and Dana Evans are back.
Las Vegas has won three of the past four championships and advanced to the Finals in four of the past six seasons. Only the Houston Comets and Minnesota Lynx have had comparable eras. Wilson is at the absolute height of her powers and is not only looking to continue the dynasty but stake a claim as the best player in league history. — Copeland
2025 record: 21-23 (ninth), did not make playoffs Season opener: vs. Las Vegas (May 10, 6 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Ariel Atkins, Rae Burrell, Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Nneka Ogwumike
The Sparks traded Rickea Jackson, a player with a lot of upside in her early career, appearing to skip over the rebuild phase they entered a few years ago and also acquired Erica Wheeler and Atkins. They are banking on experience alongside Hamby, Plum and Cameron Brink. — Andrews
Look back at Kelsey Plum’s top plays from last season after signing a deal to return to the Sparks.
2025 record: 34-10 (first place), lost 3-1 in semifinals to Phoenix Season opener: vs. Atlanta (May 10, 7 p.m. ET) Projected starting lineup: Natasha Howard, Dorka Juhasz, Kayla McBride, Olivia Miles, Courtney Williams
Franchise star Collier had surgery on both ankles this offseason, with a projected recovery that could be up to six months. June is expected to be the earliest she will return, but it could be later. The Lynx also lost post players Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard to free agency, so for now the only returning starters from last year’s first-place team are veteran guards McBride and Williams. No. 2 draft pick Miles, a true point guard, seems likely to be thrown into the fire right away.
It’s hard to be sure what Minnesota’s post play will look like. There are more questions regarding frontcourt additions, including several players from overseas. Training camp will be especially important for the Lynx to figure out who emerges to lead their inside game without Collier, who averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds last season. — Voepel