WNBA Season Preview: Storylines That Matter This Year

The WNBA season is coming and there is more buzz than ever.

Last season broke viewership records. Attendance went up. Sponsorships went up. The league is growing faster than it ever has. And this season should be even better.

Las Vegas is the team to beat. They won back to back titles and they added even more talent. Wilson is playing at an MVP level. Plum and Young are elite guards. Gray is the engine that makes everything run. They are the favorite and it is not close.

New York is the biggest challenger. Stewart is the best player in the league and she proved it in the Finals. Ionescu is one of the most skilled guards you will see. The Liberty added depth in the offseason. This could be the year they finally get over the hump.

Connecticut is tough. They play hard, they defend, and they have one of the best coaches in the league. The question is whether they have enough scoring. Thomas is a triple-double threat every night but she needs help.

Chicago is rebuilding but they got the number one pick. That changes things fast if they pick right. The draft class has talent at the top.

The expansion draft is coming too. The league is adding Golden State and Portland. That means existing teams have to protect players and some good players will be available. It changes how front offices think about roster construction.

What I am most excited about? The rookie class. Clark, Reese, and Brink are all coming in with huge expectations. Clark is the most hyped prospect since Stewart. Can she deliver? The pressure on her is insane but she has handled everything so far.

The WNBA is not the NBA's little sister anymore. It is its own thing, with its own stars, its own rivalries, and its own momentum.