WNBA Teams Look to Offseason Moves to Bolster Title Chances for Upcoming Season

With the 2022 WNBA season tipping off soon, teams are preparing for what promises to be an action-packed season in the W. Immediately after the Chicago Sky hoisted the WNBA championship trophy back in October, teams began making coaching decisions and roster moves to improve their squads and unseat the champions.

When the Sky landed superstar Candace Parker in 2021 — the first year of free agency — and won the title, the league’s landscape changed forever. Chicago’s winning ways have teams looking to duplicate that success. 

As a result, teams from both conferences reloaded and retooled this offseason to find the perfect combination of players to compete for a championship.

Let’s review those moves around the league and see which fans have a legitimate right to be excited about their championship chances.

ATLANTA DREAM
New coach Tanisha Wright has Tiffany Hayes, Monique Billings, Cheyenne Parker and Aari McDonald returning from last year, which provides some continuity for the Dream. The additions of Kia Vaughn and Erica Wheeler add strength to the Dream's core, but the team needs to draft a strong post player to solidify their inside game.

LOS ANGELES SPARKS
The Sparks took a hyperactive approach to the offseason. While they lost Nia Coffey, Erica Wheeler, Gabby Williams, they managed to add Liz Cambage, Jordin Canada, Katie Lou Samuelson and Chennedy Carter.

With two dynamic guards in Canada and Carter, a 3-point shooter in Samuelson, and a superstar in Liz Cambage, the Sparks have added some serious firepower to the inside presence of the Ogwumike sisters — Nneka and Chiney. On paper, Los Angeles is poised for success.

CONNECTICUT SUN
Instead of revamping the roster, Connecticut opted for a fine-tuning of sorts. As expected, they re-signed reigning WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones to a two-year deal. Though the team lost Briann January to the Seattle Storm in free agency, they replenished the guard position by bringing back Courtney Williams after an All-Star stint in Atlanta.

Once again, coach Curt Miller has a roster that can contend for the title.

CHICAGO SKY
The defending champs didn’t take a break but instead added reinforcements. The Sky retained 2021 Finals MVP Kahleah Copper via the core designation, and the team is also bringing back key contributors Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley. If that wasn’t enough, Chicago also secured the services of 2019 Finals MVP Emma Meesseman.

Meeseman, who sat out the 2021 campaign, is more than capable of being an offensive force. With her addition, the Sky became the first team in league history to have three WNBA Finals MVPs on their roster. Candace & Co. will be a formidable force against any opponent this season.

LAS VEGAS ACES
New head coach Becky Hammon has a nice core of returning players in A’ja Wilson, Riquna Williams and Kiah Stokes. Nonetheless, the departures of Liz Cambage and Angel McCoughtry will be felt, especially in the paint.

Still, the Aces will be a pivotal team to watch. With Hammon’s stewardship and Wilson’s star power, look for the Aces to build on last season’s 24-8 record and No. 2 overall playoff seeding.

INDIANA FEVER
The Fever entered the offseason looking to improve following a dismal six-win season. Unfortunately, that’s proved to be disappointing thus far.

Not only did WNBA legend Tamika Catchings notify the Fever that she would be stepping down from her role as GM, but the team also parted ways with Kysre Gondrezick, the fourth pick of the 2021 draft, after only one season.

For the Indiana faithful, the hope is that the second selection in this year's draft, and two other picks in the Top 10, can revive this once-proud franchise.

DALLAS WINGS
This offseason, the Wings' only move was re-signing star guard Arike Ogunbowale to a multi-year contract. With Dallas making the playoffs last season, the team hopes the current roster, along with a pair of top-six draft picks, will be enough to take them to the next level.

NEW YORK LIBERTY
 The addition of two-time All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist Stefanie Dolson and the re-signing of Rebecca Allen creates a strong post presence for the Liberty.

A healthy return for Sabrina Ionescu and the continued growth of the 2021 Rookie of the Year, Michaela Onyenwere, will be critical to the team’s success.

The roster has coach Sandy Brondello dreaming of a championship parade in Brooklyn.

WASHINGTON MYSTICS
The Mystics, who own the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, look to bounce back from a disappointing 12-20 campaign. The healthy return of Elena Delle Donne will go a long way toward that happening. Adding Elizabeth Williams and Tianna Hawkins helps the frontcourt, and if the top pick comes in and contributes right away, Washington may just surprise as they

MINNESOTA LYNX
The Lynx have a ton of talent and chemistry on this year’s squad. The return of Sylvia Fowles for a final season and the re-signing of Layshia Clarendon, Bridget Carleton and Rachel Banham will put coach Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx in prime position for another run at the title.

SEATTLE STORM
Seattle made it a point to re-sign their big-named free agents — Sue Bird, Jewell Loyd, Mercedes Russell and Breanna Stewart — to keep their core intact as they prepare for another title run. And they did just that.

League insiders feel that the acquisition of Gabby Williams — trade with Los Angeles — will be the winning ticket, as she is a player with tremendous upside. Look for Seattle to give Phoenix fits all season and be there at the end.

PHOENIX MERCURY
Head coach Vanessa Nygaard has a whole arsenal at her disposal as the Mercury look to avenge last season’s Finals loss to the Sky.

The additions of Tina Charles and Diamond DeShields to the Big Three of Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith, have the Mercury poised to be one of the top contenders for the crown.

 

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