WNBA Power Rankings: Aces open 2026 season at No. 1, ahead of Liberty, Fever, more

Two months ago, it wasn’t clear whether the 2026 WNBA season would start on time — or if it was going to happen at all. But through frantic last-minute negotiations, the league and WNBPA reached a historic new collective bargaining agreement that ensured there would be basketball this summer and players would be paid more than ever to play it.

Now, after a hectic offseason, it’s almost time for the WNBA’s 30th anniversary season, which will feature two new expansion teams: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Preseason games are complete and rosters will be finalized by Thursday before opening night Friday.

Over the next five months, 15 teams will compete to win the title of season champion. Before the action begins, let’s take a look at how the battle is developing with a preseason edition of the power rankings.

The reigning champions, led by A’ja Wilson, the best player in the world, have the honor of starting 2026 atop the power rankings. The Aces brought back their entire core and made some interesting moves on the sidelines, including signing former lottery pick Chennedy Carter. She has been out of the league in two of the last three seasons, but she is incredibly talented and will give the Aces a much-needed boost in terms of youth and athleticism.

The Liberty were always going to make changes after their first-round elimination last season, and it was no surprise when they fired coach Sandy Brondello and replaced her with Chris DeMarco. However, no one expected them to sign All-Star forward Satou Sabally. With the return of their Big Three of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, the Liberty easily have the most talented quartet in the league.

After an injury-filled 2025, Fever general manager Amber Cox said signing All-WNBA guard Kelsey Mitchell was the team’s top priority this offseason, and that’s exactly what they did — but only on a one-year deal. Keeping Caitlin Clark healthy was also crucial, and she’s ready to go despite a brief scare during the pre-season. As long as the Fever can keep Clark and Co. on the field, they’ll be in the mix.

The Dream won a franchise-record 30 games last season, but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, prompting them to trade for All-Star forward Angel Reese. Somehow, they managed to get him for just two first-round picks, allowing them to keep their entire core. The Dream have never won a title, but that could change in the second year of Karl Smesko’s tenure.

The Sparks haven’t made the playoffs since the 2020 bubble season, which is not only the longest drought in franchise history, but also the longest active spell in the league. They did everything they could this offseason to get back to the playoffs, and should have no trouble doing so after bringing franchise icon Nneka Ogwumike back into the fold and trading for Ariel Atkins. But can they be more than a playoff team?

Last season was a disaster for the Wings, but they at least got the first pick for their troubles. They used it to select Azzi Fudd, who will team up again with his girlfriend and another UConn alumna, Paige Bueckers. Dallas also added Alanna Smith in free agency as the centerpiece of their revamped frontcourt, and new coach Jose Fernandez hopes to lead this group to the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

While most teams were wheeling and dealing during the busiest and costliest free agency period in league history, the Mercury remained largely in their hands. All-Star forward Satou Sabally entered free agency and Phoenix didn’t appear to have a backup plan. Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper are back, but the Mercury didn’t make any notable additions this offseason.

The Valkyries’ bizarre decision to trade the No. 8 pick (Flau’jae Johnson) for two second-round picks, including the No. 16 pick (Marta Suarez), is even more puzzling after giving up Suarez, but it’s probably a bigger issue for their future than their present. The signing of All-Star forward Gabby Williams will ensure they remain one of the best defensive teams in the league, even if questions remain about their offense.

The expansion draft and free agency decimated the Lynx’s depth, but although they lost six rotation players, including co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith, they retained their top three scorers and added No. 2 overall pick Olivia Miles. The Lynx are going to struggle early in the season until Napheesa Collier returns from offseason surgery on both ankles, but once she returns, they should be competitive.

After one of the worst seasons in franchise history, the Sky reshuffled their roster in an attempt to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. Most notably, they traded All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Dream for two future first-round picks, sent Ariel Atkins to the Sparks for Rickea Jackson, gave the Mystics a 2028 first-round pick for Jacy Sheldon, and signed Skylar Diggins to free agency free. The team is better than last season, but by how much?

11. Toronto Tempo

Tempo tried to follow the Valkyries’ plan during the offseason. They leaned heavily on their experience in the expansion draft and free agency — Kiki Rice, the No. 6 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft, is one of only three players in camp under 25 — and clearly expect to compete for a playoff spot this season. But can Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes get them there? And is that even a wise goal?

12. Washington Mystics

The Mystics had three first-round picks for the second year in a row and selected Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalic and Cotie McMahon – a surprise, given their lack of shooting and stalemate in the frontcourt. But perhaps it wasn’t a surprise that the Mystics had a confusing draft immediately after parting ways with general manager Jamila Wideman due to “serious strategic differences.” However, this is a very exciting young band with a bright future.

The Sun did not have a very busy offseason on the field. Brittney Griner hit free agency, and having Nell Angloma, Gianna Kneepkens, and Charlisse Leger-Walker in the draft despite not being selected until 12th overall was impressive. But all that was overshadowed by the Mohegan Tribe’s sale of the franchise to Tilman Fertitta, who will move the team to Houston in 2027 and bring back the Comets name and brand.

Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and Brittney Sykes all left Seattle during their free agency period, but the Storm had an incredibly successful offseason by adding Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson in the draft and hiring Sonia Raman as their new coach. The Storm won’t be a playoff team this season, but they suddenly have one of the most exciting young cores in the league.

15. Portland Fire

The Fire took a long-term approach in the Expansion Draft and the 2026 WNBA Draft, and while they have prepared well for the future, it could be a long season. They only have three players on the roster – Bridget Carleton, Megan Gustafson and Karlie Samuelson – with more than four years of experience and no one on the roster has ever averaged double figures in scoring for an entire WNBA season.