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WNBA 2022 preseason power rankings: Sky, Sun early title favorites

Candace Parker leads the reigning champion Chicago Sky into the 2022 WNBA season. (Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

After one of the busiest free agency periods in league history and an eventful draft night, the WNBA regular season returns May 6 with a quadruple-header on opening night.

We have evaluated every team’s offseason moves and draft selections, and now we turn our attention to the competition ahead. Here is where each of the 12 teams stand entering the season in the Just Women’s Sports preseason power rankings.

1. Chicago Sky

The reigning WNBA champions sit atop our power rankings after retaining much of their veteran core from the 2021 season and adding All-Star-level talent to the roster. Alongside former MVP Candace Parker, Chicago re-signed Finals MVP Kahleah Copper, Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley in free agency. When you swap out the losses of Diamond DeShields and Stefanie Dolson with 2019 Finals MVP Emma Meesseman and Julie Allemand, Chicago has a chance to be even better this season.

The Sky got to sit back and watch on draft night, with no picks on the board, but they have loaded up on potential pro-ready players through training camp contracts. After the Sky won it all as the 6-seed last season, the confidence and overall talent of their roster makes them the early-season title favorites.

2. Connecticut Sun

The Sun have been one of the most consistent WNBA franchises in recent years, and they went about their business in the offseason determined to see that vision through. They secured 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones to reunite a Big Three that also includes a healthy Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner. The loss of Briann January to Seattle hurts, but Connecticut addressed it by adding a familiar face and potent scoring option in Courtney Williams.

Nia Clouden, the Sun’s No. 12 pick in the draft, gives them a strong shooting option off the bench. But considering the team’s current cap situation — they have just under $200,000 in cap room — they will have some tough final roster decisions to make out of training camp.

The Sun have showcased just how dominant they can be in recent seasons, especially behind their suffocating defense, but they have not yet been able to sustain it through the playoffs for a WNBA title. If everyone can stay healthy, the Sun have all the tools to win their first championship this season.

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Sue Bird, 41, signed a one-year deal to return to the Storm for her 19th season. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

3. Seattle Storm

With Sue Bird returning for what is likely her final WNBA season, a championship season for the Storm would be poetic and is not out of the question. Seattle also welcomes back Jewell Loyd on the franchise tag and a healthy Breanna Stewart on a one-year, supermax deal, solidifying the superstar core that won championships in 2018 and 2020.

In free agency, Seattle added forward Gabby Williams, a versatile weapon on both sides of the floor who can impact the game in ways the Storm didn’t have at their disposal before. Veteran guard Briann January replaces Jordin Canada in the backcourt. In the draft, Seattle added 6-foot-5 NC State center Elissa Cunane, who’s capable of stretching the floor and working in tandem with Stewart.

The Storm’s chances of winning a fifth career championship will likely come down to two factors: luck and the ability to remain healthy.

4. Minnesota Lynx

Minnesota was nowhere near 100 percent last season and still finished third in the league standings. Their biggest moves of the offseason were bringing back Sylvia Fowles for her final season and signing five-time WNBA All-Star Angel McCoughtry.

While Napheesa Collier is sidelined during her pregnancy, Minnesota will need breakout play from Jessica Shepard, Damiris Dantas and Aerial Powers to compete with the best in the league. If they can stay healthy, the depth of talent on the Lynx’s roster makes them worthy of legitimate championship consideration.

Due to their current cap space situation, the Lynx opted out of the earlier rounds of the 2022 draft through a trade with the Las Vegas Aces for 2023 picks. Their late picks included potential depth options Kayla Jones and Hannah Sjerven, and they set themselves up to add pro-ready, young talent next year.

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A'ja Wilson is the centerpiece of a new-look Las Vegas Aces team. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

5. Las Vegas Aces

The Aces organization has a new look in 2022 with Becky Hammon behind the bench, first-year general manager Natalie Williams leading the front office and Liz Cambage off in Los Angeles. Las Vegas enters the new era continuing to build through 2020 WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson. Kelsey Plum has also been playing the best basketball of her career, and Dearica Hamby remains a well-rounded staple of the franchise.

Looking to secure depth at the stretch four and wing positions, the Aces moved up in the draft to address those needs, selecting Mya Hollingshed and Kierstan Bell in the first round. They added depth at nearly every other position, too, with their selections of Khayla Pointer and Aisha Sheppard.

It’s too early to tell what this team will look like under Hammon’s guidance, but the Aces have a solid foundation of veteran and All-Star talent ready to take the next step and bring a championship home to Las Vegas.

6. Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury are in a unique situation as they load up for what could be one final championship run with Diana Taurasi, while also looking ahead to the future behind first-year head coach Vanessa Nygaard. Phoenix assembled a top-tier starting lineup this offseason, adding Tina Charles and Diamond DeShields to their core of Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brittney Griner, whose status for the season is uncertain after she was detained in Russia on drug charges in late February.

While the Mercury hope for Griner’s safe return home and honor the seven-time All-Star by carrying out her Heart and Sole Shoe Drive this season, they also game-plan for various scenarios. Preparing for her likely absence this season, Phoenix drafted late-round post options in Maya Dodson and Macee Williams, before waiving Williams last Friday.

The Mercury have the talent to thrive under Nygaard’s direction, but they start the season in the middle of the pack due to the amount of questions surrounding their current situation.

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Elena Delle Donne has said she feels healthy after missing all but three games in the last two seasons. (Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)

7. Washington Mystics

A healthy Elena Delle Donne and Alysha Clark immediately change the trajectory of the Mystics in 2022. With Natasha Cloud running the show, Ariel Atkins on the wing and Myisha Hines-Allen returning in free agency on a three-year deal, the Mystics have the veteran players with championship experience to compete for their second trophy in four seasons.

The Mystics added two top-level prospects in the draft in 6-5 Shakira Austin and guard Christyn Williams, but took a hit when Williams went down with a season-ending injury during the first week of preseason. International signings Lee Seul Kang and Rui Machida, Japan’s hero during the Tokyo Olympics last summer, provide intriguing depth options.

8. Los Angeles Sparks

The Sparks completely retooled their roster in the offseason, addressing their biggest need — offense — with a host of big-name talents: Liz Cambage, Chennedy Carter, Jordin Canada and Katie Lou Samuelson. Los Angeles also had a successful draft night with the additions of Rae Burrell, Kianna Smith, Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Amy Atwell. If Burrell and 2021 first-round pick Jasmine Walker can get fully healthy, they give this Sparks offense elements it’s lacked in recent seasons.

How quickly the newcomers can integrate with the Sparks’ core of Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike and Kristi Toliver will go a long way toward determining their success this season. The Sparks’ chemistry on offense will be key to their ability to go head-to-head with the consistently good teams in this league.

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Arike Ogunbowale signed a three-year, supermax contract in the offseason to return to the Wings. (Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images)

9. Dallas Wings

In rebuilding mode the past few years, the Wings appear to be on the precipice of breaking out in 2022. Last year, Dallas could play like a playoff team one night and a league bottom-dweller the next. The Wings did not make any major changes in the offseason outside of trading for Teaira McCowan, the 6-7 center who can help free up Arike Ogunbowale, Marina Mabrey and Allisha Gray for shots along the perimeter.

No. 7 draft pick Veronica Burton has the potential to make an immediate impact as an aggressive guard on both offense and defense. As the Wings’ young players build chemistry together and understand the process of what it takes to win in this league, this is a team that can beat anyone on any given night.

10. New York Liberty

The Liberty hit a rough patch in the second half of last season and still appear to be a couple of years away from championship contention. With the additions they made in the offseason, including hiring head coach Sandy Brondello from the Mercury, New York could take its biggest jump yet during these rebuilding years.

Stefanie Dolson joins the Liberty fresh off of winning a championship with the Sky, and Rebecca Allen returns after the best season of her career in New York. If Natasha Howard and Sabrina Ionescu can stay healthy, and Betnijah Laney and reigning Rookie of the Year Michaela Onyenwere maintain their level of play, this team is capable of getting back to the playoffs and doing more damage this season.

The Liberty will miss draft picks Nyara Sabally and Sika Kone, as they won’t be available this season, but second-rounder Lorela Cubaj could provide valuable minutes as one of the steals of the draft. New York has the talent to exceed expectations if the team can gel faster than expected, but there are still too many unknowns from a consistency standpoint to rank them any higher.

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Rhyne Howard scored 15 points in her preseason debut with the Dream on Sunday. (Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

11. Atlanta Dream

The Dream’s offseason goal was to overhaul the organization, from the new ownership team all the way down to the rookies. In addition to the promising additions of No. 1 draft pick Rhyne Howard and No. 15 pick Naz Hillmon, Atlanta brought back Aari McDonald, Monique Billings and Tiffany Hayes, and added Nia Coffey, Kia Vaughn and Erica Wheeler in free agency.

Atlanta now has a solid foundation entering the regular season, but this season is still an early step in the process of rebuilding the Dream into a playoff team.

12. Indiana Fever

The Fever’s offseason demolition included naming interim general manager Linn Dunn, cutting ties with Jantel Lavender and Julie Allemand, and adding first-round picks NaLyssa Smith, Emily Engstler, Lexie Hull and Destanni Henderson in the draft. While the franchise has made significant strides toward snapping their five-year playoff drought, they still have a lot of work to do, most notably molding the current roster and attracting top free-agent talent down the road.

It will take at least a few more years for Indiana to return to championship contention. Beyond veterans Kelsey Mitchell and Bria Hartley, the young players will need time to develop.

Rachel Galligan is a basketball analyst at Just Women’s Sports. A former professional basketball player and collegiate coach, she also contributes to Winsidr. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachGall.

Alex Morgan “week-to-week” with ankle injury

Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images

USWNT stalwart Alex Morgan will miss at least one week of NWSL action after suffering a left ankle knock in her last club appearance, Wave manager Casey Stoney said on Thursday.

Morgan was helped off the field after rolling her ankle in the later stages of the Wave’s 1-0 loss to the Orlando Pride last weekend, despite the San Diego side being out of available substitutes.

“She's got an ankle injury and she's out for this weekend, and then it'll be week by week from there,” Stoney said, confirming that Morgan’s been ruled out for Saturday’s showdown with NWSL newcomer Bay FC.

Depending on its severity, Morgan’s ankle issue might have larger ramifications than missing a few weeks of NSWL play. Morgan was added to the team's Gold Cup roster after an ACL injury sidelined young striker Mia Fishel, and she's since made a number of USWNT starts in the team's Gold Cup and SheBelieves wins. A long-term injury could potentially derail the center forward’s Olympic plans.

With her return timeline uncertain, it's possible the injury could also impact Morgan's ability to participate in new head coach Emma Hayes' first U.S. friendlies in June and July.

Morgan's injury concerns aren't uncommon in the U.S. player pool, but add a sense of urgency as Hayes eyes the NWSL for top-performing players in the upcoming weeks. Gotham's Tierna Davidson and Rose Lavelle have also been dealing with injuries: Lavelle has yet to appear for Gotham, while Davidson exited last weekend's match early with a hamstring injury.

Gotham has yet to issue an update concerning Davidson's status.

Brazil legend Marta to retire from international play after Olympics

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 16: Marta of Brazil during the 2023 SheBelieves Cup match between Japan and Brazil at Exploria Stadium on February 16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

This week, legendary Brazilian superstar Marta announced that she’ll retire from the national team at the end of 2024.

In an interview with CNN Esportes published Thursday, the iconic footballer confirmed that she would be hanging up her boots regardless of whether or not she ends up making Brazil's 18-player roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

“If I go to the Olympics, I will enjoy every moment, because regardless of whether I go to the Olympics or not, this is my last year with the national team,” she said. “There is no longer Marta in the national team as an athlete from 2025 onwards.”

Marta will retire as a giant of the women's game, having appeared in five Olympics and multiple World Cups. When discussing her retirement, she stressed confidence in the rising generation of Brazilian players, noting that she was, “very calm about this, because I see with great optimism this development that we are having in relation to young athletes." 

The statement echoes back to a plea she made during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup after Brazil lost to France 2-1 in the Round of 16. “It's wanting more. It's training more. It's taking care of yourself more. It's being ready to play 90 plus 30 minutes. This is what I ask of the girls,” she said then, addressing the young players following in her footsteps. 

In 2023, she signaled a farewell to World Cup competition with the same sentiment, telling media, “We ask the new generation to continue where we left off.”

If selected for the 2024 Olympic team, Marta has a shot at extending her own consecutive-scoring record with the ability to score in an unbelievable sixth-straight Olympic Games. She currently stands as Brazil’s top goalscorer, racking up 116 career goals in 175 matches, as well as the leading goalscorer in any World Cup, women’s or men’s, with 17 to her name. 

Marta will continue to play for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride through at least the end of 2024. The longtime forward and club captain has already contributed to multiple goals this season.

USWNT to face Costa Rica in final Olympic send-off

uswnt sophia smith and tierna davidson celebrate at shebeilves cup 2024
The USWNT will play their final pre-Olympic friendly against Costa Rica on July 16th. (Photo by Greg Bartram/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday that the USWNT will play their last home game on July 16th in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

The 2024 Send-Off Match against Costa Rica will take place at Washington, DC’s Audi Field — home to both the Washington Spirit and DC United — at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 16th. The friendly rounds out a four-game Olympic run-up campaign under incoming head coach Emma Hayes’ side, with the last two set to feature the finalized 2024 U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team roster.

Hayes will appear on the USWNT sideline for the first time this June, helming the team as they embark on a two-game series against Korea Republic hosted by Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on June 1st followed by Allianz Stadium in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 4th. 

The team is then scheduled to meet a talented Mexico squad on July 13th at Gotham FC’s Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, where the Olympic-bound lineup will attempt to rewrite February’s shocking 2-0 loss to El Tri Femenil in the group stages of this year’s Concacaf W Gold Cup. And while clear roster favorites have emerged from both of this year’s Gold Cup and SheBelives Cup rosters, a spate of recent and recurring injuries means making it to the Olympics is still largely anyone’s game.

Broadcast and streaming channels for the USWNT's final July 16th friendly at Audi Field include TNT, truTV, Universo, Max, and Peacock.

Caitlin Clark’s WNBA start to serve as 2024 Olympic tryout

Clark of the Indiana Fever poses for a photo with Lin Dunn and Christie Sides during her introductory press conference on April 17, 2024
The talented Fever rookie is still in the running for a ticket to this summer's Paris Olympics. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

The USA Basketball Women's National Team is still considering Caitlin Clark for a spot on the Paris Olympics squad, says selection committee chair Jennifer Rizzotti. 

On Monday, Rizzotti told the AP that the committee will be evaluating the college phenom’s Olympic prospects by keeping a close eye on her first few weeks of WNBA play with Indiana.

The move is somewhat unconventional. While Clark was invited to participate in the 14-player national team training camp held earlier this month — the last camp before Team USA’s roster drops — she was unable to attend due to it coinciding with Iowa’s trip to the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

Judging by the immense talent spread throughout the league in what might be their most hyped season to date, competition for a piece of the Olympic pie could be fiercer than ever before.

"You always want to introduce new players into the pool whether it's for now or the future," said Rizzotti. "We stick to our principles of talent, obviously, positional fit, loyalty and experience. It's got to be a combination of an entire body of work. It's still not going to be fair to some people."

Of course, Clark isn’t the first rookie the committee has made exceptions for. Coming off an exceptional college season that saw her averaging 19.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game for UConn, Breanna Stewart was tapped to represent the U.S. at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil less than two weeks after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Seattle Storm. Eight years prior, fellow No. 1 pick Candace Parker punched her ticket to the 2008 Games in Beijing just two weeks after making her first appearance for the L.A. Sparks.

In the lead-up to Paris’ Opening Ceremony on July 26th, USA Basketball Women’s National Team is scheduled to play a pair of exhibition games. They'll first go up against the WNBA's finest at the July 20th WNBA All-Star Game in Phoenix before facing Germany in London on July 23rd.

While an official roster announcement date hasn’t yet been issued, players won’t find out if they’ve made this year’s Olympic cut until at least June 1st.

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