WNBA offseason grades: Mercury's new Big 3, Sun's mass exodus

Another WNBA season is on the horizon after a busy free agency and multiple blockbuster trades involving All-Stars.

Here's a look at how each of the league's 13 teams fared over the offseason.

Atlanta undoubtedly upgraded its frontcourt with free-agent additions Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones. The Dream finished ninth in points in the paint last season, and the All-Star duo gives the team a pair of bona fide post-up threats. While they're a questionable fit in new head coach Karl Smesko's five-out system, there's some optimism as Griner knocked down all three of her 3-point attempts during the preseason.

On the flip side, second-round pick Te-Hina Paopao should feel right at home as a career 40% 3-point shooter, including an NCAA-leading 46.8% clip in 2023-24. The South Carolina product had a strong showing in Atlanta's preseason finale, making 3-of-4 attempts from deep in a 14-point performance.

The Sky are much stronger at the point with Courtney Vandersloot returning to the Windy City after spending the past two seasons with the New York Liberty. Hailey Van Lith was selected with the No. 11 overall pick and will have an opportunity to learn from the veteran floor general in hopes of becoming the club's long-term solution.

Chicago also acquired Ariel Atkins from the Washington Mystics. The two-time All-Star guard gives the Sky a strong defensive presence and some much-needed outside shooting. However, the price was a bit hefty for a player on an expiring deal.

The Sun are in full rebuild mode after mutually parting ways with head coach Stephanie White and losing their entire starting lineup from last year's WNBA semifinal squad. Key reserve Marina Mabrey - their marquee acquisition at last year's trade deadline - could also be on her way out after requesting a trade in the offseason.

Connecticut brought in veterans Tina Charles and Diamond DeShields to guide a young locker room that features second-year guard Jacy Sheldon and first-round picks Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers.

Dallas struck gold in the draft lottery when it won the right to select Paige Bueckers with the top overall selection. The UConn standout fills a longstanding need at the point and gives the Wings another foundational piece to build around.

However, it wasn't all good news as the franchise dealt Satou Sabally to the Phoenix Mercury after the two-time All-Star expressed a desire to play elsewhere. Fortunately, Dallas managed to recoup DiJonai Carrington - the reigning Most Improved Player - former No. 2 overall pick NaLyssa Smith, and Tyasha Harris as part of the four-team blockbuster trade.

Golden State was unable to reel in any of the top free agents despite having loads of cap space. Its most high-profile signing was Las Vegas Aces guard Tiffany Hayes, who'll likely be leaned on for her leadership and scoring punch. The reigning Sixth Woman of the Year isn't the only Aces connection as inaugural head coach Natalie Nakase spent the past three years on Becky Hammon's staff.

The Valkyries' expansion draft selections were highlighted by second-year guard Kate Martin and an abundance of veterans, including Kayla Thornton and Temi Fagbenle. The upside of first-round selection Juste Jocyte was well worth the gamble at No. 5 overall, but she's set to represent Lithuania at FIBA EuroBasket next month and isn't expected to play for Golden State this season.

Caitlin Clark's extraordinary rookie campaign put the Fever in position to pursue a title in just her second season. Indiana's front office brought back the defensive-minded White from Connecticut for a second head coaching stint, re-signed Clark's backcourt partner Kelsey Mitchell, and added multiple veterans with championship pedigree.

DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, and Brianna Turner should strengthen the WNBA's second-worst defensive unit last season. Howard's rim-running ability is tailor-made for the team's up-tempo style of play. Meanwhile, sharpshooting guard Sophie Cunningham gives the Fever another reliable floor-spacing option.

The Aces shook up their core after falling short of a three-peat bid, swapping Kelsey Plum for Jewell Loyd in a three-team blockbuster deal. Loyd is coming off the worst shooting season of her career, but is only two years removed from a scoring title. She brings a different element to Las Vegas' offense with her athletic finishing ability at the rim.

The free-agent signings of Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Dana Evans also add more offensive juice. Parker-Tyus provides another threat down low alongside A'ja Wilson, but the veteran forward will miss at least the first three months of the season because she's expecting her second child, according to Callie Fin of The Las Vegas Review-Journal. Meanwhile, Evans could fill Hayes' role off the bench as a microwave scorer. Can all these new additions be integrated without disrupting the chemistry that's made the Aces so successful?

Los Angeles' bold move to trade the No. 2 pick in this year's draft for Plum might have been the right call, especially with All-American floor general Olivia Miles opting for another year of college over the WNBA.

The Sparks ranked 10th in offensive efficiency, 3-point percentage, and assists last season. They now have an established point guard who can create scoring opportunities for herself and the talented frontcourt trio of Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson, and Cameron Brink. While Plum is on an expiring deal, she's from Southern California and is willing to sign a long-term contract to stay close to home, sources told The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant.

The Lynx could very well be back in the WNBA Finals after falling one win short of their fifth title. Minnesota returns its entire starting five, as well as key reserve Natisha Hiedeman. Former No. 2 overall pick Diamond Miller might have an expanded role with Dorka Juhasz sitting out the 2025 campaign to "rest and recover" after playing year-round for the last two years. Miller flashed some promise during her WNBA All-Rookie Team campaign two years ago, averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 boards, and 2.5 assists.

The acquisition of Karlie Samuelson from the Mystics gives last season's top-ranked 3-point shooting unit another floor-spacing weapon. The Lynx also inked French center Marieme Badiane to a one-year contract to offset the loss of veteran big Myisha Hines-Allen.

New York is primed for another deep run with Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones back together for a third consecutive campaign. The Liberty upgraded their backcourt by acquiring Natasha Cloud to replace Vandersloot. Cloud tallied the third-most assists (6.9 per contest) and earned her second WNBA All-Defensive second-team nod last season.

Marine Johannes also returns to the fold after sitting out the previous campaign to suit up for France at the Paris Olympics. The signing of Rebekah Gardner gives the team another reliable wing defender alongside Cloud in the absence of Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. The Liberty are set to suspend Laney-Hamilton's contract to open up a roster spot and additional cap space. The two-time WNBA All-Defensive selection underwent knee surgery in March and was expected to miss most of the season.

It'll be a new era in the desert with Diana Taurasi riding off into the sunset and Griner now a member of the Dream. Four-time All-Star wing Kahleah Copper will be joined by Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to form a new Big 3 in Phoenix. Thomas will assume primary playmaking duties and her screening will help free up Copper.

Meanwhile, Sabally's ability to step out beyond the arc at 6-foot-4 is a new wrinkle that Griner couldn't provide, and it should open driving lanes for Copper to exploit. The Mercury somehow managed to land Thomas and Sabally without giving up their first-rounder in the 2027 draft, which is expected to include JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo.

Seattle made the best of a tough situation, shipping out a disgruntled Loyd to the Aces in a multi-team trade that netted the No. 2 overall selection in this year's draft. The Storm subsequently used the draft pick on French phenom Dominique Malonga, who might have the highest ceiling in her class. Former MVP Nneka Ogwumike and versatile forward Gabby Williams were re-signed to solidify the club's starting five.

Malonga and Williams opted not to play for France at this summer's EuroBasket, ensuring that both players will be in the fold for the entire campaign. Veteran forward Alysha Clark is back for another stint, too, and should provide some much-needed floor spacing.

Washington began a complete rebuild in October when it parted ways with general manager Mike Thibault and head coach Eric Thibault. The Mystics then offloaded Atkins and Samuelson in separate trades that brought back multiple draft picks and a 2027 first-round pick swap.

The Mystics had a strong draft as they filled many needs with their trio of first-round selections. Sonia Citron should make an immediate impact with her 3-and-D skillset, while Kiki Iriafen is a post threat and boasts the athleticism to defend multiple positions. Georgia Amoore, the No. 3 overall pick, was arguably the best pure point guard available. However, she'll miss the 2025 season after suffering an ACL injury during training camp.