The offseason moved fast and furiously after the WNBA and its players' union agreed to a groundbreaking CBA deal in March.
An expansion draft, free agency, and college draft all took place within a 10-day span.
With the opening-night rosters set, let's hand out some report cards and identify one storyline surrounding each team entering the upcoming campaign.
Offseason grade: A
Atlanta made significant strides in its first year under Karl Smesko, transforming into a lethal 3-point shooting team en route to winning a franchise-record 30 games. The Dream are poised to build on last season's success after acquiring Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky and keeping all of their core pieces out of the aforementioned blockbuster trade.
Biggest storyline 📚
How Smesko integrates Reese: Reese is an upgrade over the departed Brittney Griner. The 6-foot-3 forward has established herself as one of the league's rising stars with back-to-back All-Star nods and rebounding crowns. Atlanta's bevy of 3-point shooters will give Reese more room to operate in the post and additional chances to maximize her passing skills.
Offseason grade: C
Chicago's underwhelming return for Reese and its decision to trade away a first-rounder for Jacy Sheldon didn't go over well with its fans. But the Sky might have won back some goodwill with their acquisition of Rickea Jackson and a productive free-agency period that featured the signings of Skylar Diggins, Azura Stevens, Natasha Cloud, and DiJonai Carrington.
Biggest storyline 📚
Jeff Pagliocca's gamble: It's hard to justify trading your best player for pennies on the dollar, but there's no doubt that Chicago is a better team than it was a year ago. The Sky are under immense pressure to make the playoffs, not least because the Washington Mystics have the right to swap 2027 first-round picks with Chicago as part of the Ariel Atkins trade.
Offseason grade: B-
The additions of Griner and Kennedy Burke give Connecticut a veteran presence in a young locker room. The Sun also brought back key center Olivia Nelson-Ododa on a two-year deal and took low-risk fliers on former No. 2 overall pick Diamond Miller and Hailey Van Lith. The front office snagged promising French prospect Nell Angloma with the 12th pick in this year's draft and had Gianna Kneepkens fall into its lap three selections later.
Biggest storyline 📚
Sunset season: The team's impending relocation to Houston looms over its final campaign in Connecticut, especially with the club unlikely to make waves on the court this season. It's an unfortunate end, considering the state's rich women's basketball history and the franchise's consistent success prior to last year's 11-33 finish.
Offseason grade: B+
Last season, Dallas ranked 12th in 3-point percentage and defensive efficiency. The Wings addressed both of those weaknesses, using the No. 1 overall pick on UConn sharpshooter Azzi Fudd and signing Alanna Smith, the 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, to bolster their frontcourt. They also retained four-time All-Star Arike Ogunbowale on a two-year max deal.
Biggest storyline 📚
Can Ogunbowale bounce back?: Ogunbowale posted career lows across the board in her first campaign alongside Paige Bueckers. If the Notre Dame product can return to form, the Wings will have a lethal backcourt that can push for a playoff berth.
Offseason grade: C-
The Valkyries' third-ranked defense helped them become the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural campaign. Natalie Nakase's squad could be even better with lockdown defender Gabby Williams joining the fold. However, Golden State missed an opportunity to add an offensive playmaker with its baffling decision to trade the draft rights to Flau'jae Johnson and waive Marta Suarez - whom it acquired in exchange for the LSU standout - before opening night.
Biggest storyline 📚
Crunch-time offense: The Valkyries return their top six scorers from a year ago, but they don't have a lead horse who can take control down the stretch. Golden State was 10th in offensive efficiency in clutch games last season, leading to a 12-12 mark in such scenarios.
Offseason grade: B
Indiana should be in the title mix once again after handing Aliyah Boston a league-record extension and re-signing all of its major rotational pieces, including Kelsey Mitchell. The front office added veteran guard Ty Harris to be Caitlin Clark's backup and brought in Monique Billings and Myisha Hines-Allen to shore up the post following Natasha Howard's departure.
Biggest storyline 📚
Keeping Clark healthy: The Fever were one win away from the Finals despite not having Clark for their entire playoff run. The additions of Harris and first-round pick Raven Johnson give Indiana more ball-handling options to help ease the burden on Clark.
Offseason grade: A
It's hard to dislike anything the Aces did this offseason as they seek a fourth title in five seasons. Not only did Las Vegas lock in its core from last season's championship squad, but it managed to add Chennedy Carter for the league minimum.
Biggest storyline 📚
Managing Carter: The former top-five pick has butted heads with teammates in the past, but her scoring abilities are undeniable. The Aces have locker room leaders capable of keeping Carter in line and getting the most out of her.
Offseason grade: B
The Sparks have made it clear that they're in win-now mode. Los Angeles re-signed leading scorers Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, brought back franchise icon Nneka Ogwumike, and dealt rising star Jackson to the Sky in exchange for Atkins. Erica Wheeler also returns for a second stint following a bounce-back campaign with the Seattle Storm.
Biggest storyline 📚
Brink's progression: Cameron Brink is due for a bigger role now that former starting center Azura Stevens is in the Windy City. The 6-foot-4 big has been an elite rim-protector when healthy and has flashed the 3-point range that Lynne Roberts covets in her offensive system.
Offseason grade: C
Minnesota was hit hard in both the expansion draft and free agency, losing starters Smith and Bridget Carleton along with Sixth Player of the Year runner-up Natisha Hiedeman. The Lynx did land Olivia Miles, courtesy of the No. 2 overall selection they acquired from the Sky, and she'll probably play an important role early alongside Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride.
Biggest storyline 📚
Phee's absence: Napheesa Collier won't resume on-court activities until early June following offseason surgery on both of her ankles. Can the Lynx hold down the fort until she returns?
Offseason grade: A
New York solidified itself as a contender for years to come by re-signing its Big Three of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones to three-year max deals. The team also retained perimeter stopper Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who missed all of last season due to injury. The Liberty made the biggest splash in free agency as well, inking three-time All-Star Satou Sabally to a two-year contract.
Biggest storyline 📚
Start of DeMarco era: New York general manager Jonathan Kolb made the surprising decision to move on from head coach Sandy Brondello just one year after she guided the club to its maiden title. Longtime Golden State Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco was tabbed to replace her and will be under immense pressure to deliver immediate results.
Offseason grade: C-
Phoenix went all-in by trading for Alyssa Thomas and Sabally last season. The Mercury's bold moves paid off, as they reached the Finals in Nate Tibbetts' second year in charge. While the team returns most of its key contributors, the front office failed to fill the void left by Sabally, who walked away in free agency.
Biggest storyline 📚
International flavor: Phoenix has found success bringing in players from overseas. The Mercury got solid minutes off the bench from Monique Akoa Makani last season, and they're hoping lightning strikes twice with French forward Valeriane Ayayi.
Offseason grade: B-
Portland appears to be taking a big picture approach entering its inaugural campaign. The Fire took a swing on the upside of Spanish guard Iyana Martin with their first-round pick in the WNBA draft, but their most notable acquisition is 3-and-D wing Carleton, a former member of the Lynx whom they selected in the expansion draft. With USC phenom JuJu Watkins possibly being available in the 2027 draft, Portland is positioning itself to be in the lottery.
Biggest storyline 📚
Opportunities abound: The Fire's roster is full of players looking to make the most of their fresh start. Emily Engstler and Haley Jones, for instance, are former top-10 picks who haven't quite lived up to their billing, but they've each flashed potential at various points of their careers.
Offseason grade: A
It's a brand new era in Seattle. Ogwumike, Diggins, and Gabby Williams all departed in free agency, while head coach Noelle Quinn was replaced by Liberty assistant Sonia Raman. The Storm pivoted to a rebuild following back-to-back first-round playoff exits, and they're set up for future success after acing the draft in April.
Biggest storyline 📚
Young core: It'll be fun to watch rookies Awa Fam and Flau'jae Johnson grow alongside Dominique Malonga. Fam, who brings a diverse skill set at 6-foot-4, has arguably the most upside in this year's class. Johnson, meanwhile, should provide an immediate impact with her shot-creation and defensive versatility.
Offseason grade: B
Toronto signaled its intention to compete right away with the hiring of Brondello as its first head coach. The Tempo weren't shy about spending big in Year 1 either, making Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes the first million-dollar backcourt tandem in WNBA history. The team has done a good job surrounding prized rookie guard Kiki Rice with capable veterans.
Biggest storyline 📚
Guard play: It's no secret that Toronto's biggest strength is its backcourt. Mabrey can create her own shot, Sykes is among the league's top perimeter defenders, Julie Allemand provides sound decision-making at the point, and both Lexi Held and Aaliyah Nye can shoot the three effectively. The Tempo's guards will have a huge say in whether the club reaches the postseason.
Offseason grade: B-
Lauren Betts joins a promising Mystics core headlined by All-Stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen. The UCLA standout gives Washington a potential one-two punch at center along with Shakira Austin, whom Washington retained by matching Toronto's offer sheet. Lastly, it wouldn't be a Mystics offseason without them fleecing the Sky for another first-rounder, this time in exchange for Sheldon.
Biggest storyline 📚
Three-point shooting: There's a lot to like about the young roster Washington has assembled. However, Austin and Iriafen won't have much room to operate down low, considering the Mystics didn't add any notable floor-spacers to improve their league-worst 3-point shooting (5.6 threes per game).
