WNBA execs are spilling the tea, as the league’s annual GM survey provides anonymous predictions for expected standouts, top roster moves, and the season’s projected champion.
33% of GMs tapped Dallas guard Paige Bueckers as the best player to build a franchise around, leapfrogging 2025 nominee Caitlin Clark (20%).
Lynx rookie Olivia Miles got 73% of the 2026 Rookie of the Year vote, while execs pegged the Wings as both most improved (67%) and most fun to watch (36%).
40% chose defending champion Las Vegas to win the 2026 title, followed by New York (33%) and Atlanta (27%) — with no mention of last year’s predicted winner Minnesota.
Aces star and four-time MVP A’ja Wilson stole 60% of the 2026 MVP vote, while also picking up best defender, forward, center, and leader.
Other races were tighter, as Seattle’s Dominique Malonga and Chicago newcomer Rickea Jackson shared “most likely to have a breakout season” with 15% each. Similarly, Connecticut’s Nell Angloma and LA’s Ta’Niya Latson split “biggest rookie steal” at 21%.
