WNBA predictions 2025: Projecting MVP, Rookie, and Championship winners

The extremely anticipated 2025 WNBA season begins immediately, with Paige Bueckers slated to make her skilled debut, the Golden State Valkyries able to host their first-ever common season sport, and extra.

The season, which begins on Could 16 and runs by way of September 14, already options numerous intriguing storylines. Can the Minnesota Lynx get redemption after final 12 months’s heartbreaking Finals defeat? Will the new-look Indiana Fever contend heading into Caitlin Clark’s sophomore season? Can the New York Liberty go back-to-back? How will A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces reply to final 12 months’s elimination? How will Kelsey Plum regulate to a brand new setting in Los Angeles? The listing goes on and on.

SB Nation has submitted preseason predictions for who will win MVP, Rookie of the Yr, Coach of the Yr, and, in the end, the WNBA championship.

MVP Prediction: Napheesa Collier

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Napheesa Collier was one of many prime gamers within the league final season. The 2024 Defensive Participant of the Yr averaged 20.4 factors, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per sport en path to her first profession finals look final 12 months. And although the Lynx in the end got here up quick in additional time of the deciding Sport 5, Collier was the most effective participant within the collection in opposition to the Liberty. She adopted that up with a spectacular Unmatched season during which she averaged 25.7 factors, 10.6 rebounds, and a couple of.8 assists per sport. Whereas different contenders loaded up on star expertise, the Lynx are largely working it again with the identical core. That would additional bolster Collier’s case for a career-first MVP if she’s capable of replicate, or construct upon, final 12 months’s manufacturing.

Different potential picks: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)

Rookie of the Yr Prediction: Paige Bueckers

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Paige Bueckers looks like an inevitable Rookie of the Yr choice, although something can occur. The previous UConn star, and no-brainer No. 1 choose, joins a Dallas Wings staff that’s recent off a disappointing season and can be a part of forces with Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, and Maddy Siegrist, amongst others.

Bueckers was one in all faculty basketball’s best gamers, which bodes effectively for her WNBA transition. And, whereas she’ll be surrounded by different expertise, she’s poised to have an enormous

Different potential picks: Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm), Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics)

Coach of the Yr: Stephanie White

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It’s arduous to forecast Coach of the Yr upfront, however Stephanie White looks like a terrific projection. White is heading into a terrific scenario with a revamped Fever roster that has all the required elements to contend. It’s nearly inevitable they’ll far exceed their .500 file. White was named Coach of the Yr in 2023 and is broadly thought-about among the finest coaches within the sport.

Different potential picks: Tyler Marsh (Chicago Sky), Karl Smesko (Atlanta Dream)

Championship Prediction: Indiana Fever

The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx must be the frontrunners to win the 2025 WNBA Championships. Each 2024 Finals groups are confirmed and working it again with largely the identical expertise. The Liberty added Marine Johannes and Natasha Cloud, however misplaced Courtney Vandersloot (free company) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (damage). The Lynx misplaced Cecilia Zandalasini (growth draft), however largely have the identical rotation.

And the Las Vegas Aces can be a worthwhile choose, too. The Aces have received two of the final three WNBA championships, Chelsea Grey is wholesome and recent off a dominant Unmatched season, and whatever the roster modifications, Las Vegas has three-time MVP A’ja Wilson.

However, no less than on paper, the Indiana Fever makes a case for essentially the most full staff. They’ve one in all, if not the, greatest guards within the sport in Caitlin Clark. Kelsey Mitchell is recent off of the most effective season of her profession. Aliyah Boston is a two-time All-Star heart. And, Indiana added DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, and Natasha Howard within the offseason, additional bolstering their depth in any respect positions.

It would take time to see how all of the items come collectively, however below Stephanie White’s management, the Fever seem poised to contend now.

Different picks: New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces