Way-Too-Early WNBA Power Rankings: Early look at 2026

The Las Vegas Aces have won the 2025 WNBA Finals by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury, securing their third league championship in the past four years. This victory caps a season where they improved from a .500 record in early August to the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, with A'ja Wilson earning her fourth MVP award.

The upcoming offseason is set to be the busiest in WNBA history, featuring the need for a new collective bargaining agreement, expansion drafts for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire franchises, a draft lottery, and a significant free agency period that includes many players not on rookie contracts. This creates unprecedented uncertainty for team rosters heading into the next season.

Early projections for the 2026 season have been made, excluding the expansion teams due to their lack of coaches and players. The Las Vegas Aces, with a 30-14 record and key players like A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Chelsea Gray under coach Becky Hammon, are expected to remain championship contenders. The Phoenix Mercury, as runners-up with a 27-17 record, rebuilt successfully after Diana Taurasi's retirement and Brittney Griner's departure, showing promise under coach Nate Tibbetts. The Atlanta Dream set a franchise record with 30 wins but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, raising questions about retaining their core players. The Minnesota Lynx, with a 34-10 record, were title favorites but fell in the semifinals due to injuries and internal conflicts, though they could rebound with their core and a top draft pick. The New York Liberty, with a 24-20 record, also lost in the semifinals, highlighting the competitive landscape for the upcoming season.