One of the best-of-three first-round sequence, which controversially granted the upper seed consecutive house video games, has been switched to a 1-1-1 construction, permitting for a extra honest probability at upsets. Most significantly, the WNBA Finals, which had been a best-of-five sequence since 2005, has shifted to a best-of-seven sequence that options the identical 2-2-1-1-1 construction as its NBA counterpart.
Which 2024 bottom-feeders could make the bounce to contenders?
The Washington Mystics (14-26), Chicago Sky (13-27), Dallas Wings (9-31) and Los Angeles Sparks (8-32) missed the playoffs this previous season. Amongst them, the Sky and the Sparks look like the one groups able to successful a playoff sequence in 2025 given some abrupt modifications.
If the Sparks land Paige Bueckers within the draft, she and 2024 second total choose Cameron Brink would immediately develop into one of many extra well-rounded duos within the league and supply Los Angeles with a multi-year title window.
As for the Sky, in the event that they capitalize on having the second-most obtainable cap house amongst non-expansion groups and signal an skilled offensive facilitator equivalent to guard Kelsey Plum, their younger core might develop rapidly and make them a title contender ahead of later.
Will Diana Taurasi return for a twenty first season?
Over a month into the offseason, 2004 first total choose and Phoenix Mercury icon Taurasi stays undecided about her future within the WNBA. No official assertion has been made, however Taurasi hinted a couple of potential choice on social media lately, captioning an Instagram submit “Maintain ‘em guessing.”
Ought to Taurasi return, she would want to play in simply 16 of the Mercury’s 44 video games in 2025 to surpass Corridor of Famer Sue Chook (580) for probably the most video games performed by a WNBA participant.
How will the Connecticut Solar handle dire roster and employees deficiencies?
Following a second consecutive season of falling within the semifinals, the Solar parted methods with head coach Stephanie White on Oct. 28. Now, with no head coach and solely three gamers below contract, the Solar are watching a franchise-defining offseason.
Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones and DiJonai Carrington, all of whom began not less than 39 of 40 video games in 2024, are unrestricted free brokers who every might command almost $200K per yr. Whereas the Solar theoretically might afford to re-sign all of them with their present cap house ($1,116,264), it might depart a depleted bench and the consequence could possibly be disastrous.
Connecticut should sacrifice not less than one among its stars to free company and maximize the cash left over to construct a reliable roster for 2025.
Who has one of the best probability of successful the 2025 Finals?
In accordance with FanDuel as of Friday (Nov. 8), the defending champion New York Liberty (+175) are heavy favorites to repeat, adopted by the Minnesota Lynx (+350) and Las Vegas Aces (+370).
Whereas favorites, the Liberty might lose 2023 MVP Breanna Stewart to free company this offseason, which might tremendously shake up their title possibilities. The identical will be mentioned for Las Vegas, whose 2017 first-overall choose, Kelsey Plum, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
As for the Lynx, all 5 starters from 2024’s Finals-losing workforce are below contract, together with 2024 Defensive Participant of the 12 months Napheesa Collier, giving them a good probability at successful a title.
