WNBA Power Rankings 2024: Start of the Regular Season

WNBA Power Rankings 2024: Start of the Regular Season

Welcome to the first-ever edition of the WNBA Power Rankings for Vendetta Sports Media. There are a few reasons that we’re starting these Power Rankings. First of all, women’s basketball is getting more spotlight than ever before, and what a year to start watching the WNBA. For me personally, I have a daughter and we will support women’s sports in our household. Without further ado, let’s get cracking on these WNBA Power Rankings.

12. Chicago Sky (Matt Hanifan 12, Chickster 11, Official 11.5)

I’m not sure that the Chicago Sky has a top 25 player in the WNBA, however, I do like their young core and potential. Although the Sky lost their best player in Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey, and Elizabeth Williams will now have to be the leading veterans on the team. Even though they are rookies, Kamila Cordoso and Angel Reese are a nasty frontcourt to build on. Both are mentally tough and will bring some grit to this team. ll. I could see this team starting out very slow but grabbing a string of wins here and there. Still, this roster is not good so don’t be hopeful they make the playoffs.

11. Washington Mystics (Matt Hanifan 11, Chickster 12, Official 11.5)

The Washington Mystics won the tiebreaker over the Chicago Sky because they had a better record than them last year. However, I am more sold on the Sky than the Mystics. Brittney Sykes is their best player but there’s not much to go off of after that. Sykes and Natasha Cloud willed this team to the playoffs last year, but now Cloud has left for Phoenix. Elena Delle-Donne is taking a hiatus from basketball so they’ll be without her as well. They’ll depend heavily on Ariel Atkins, Shakira Austin, and rookie Aaliyah Edwards.

10, Los Angeles Sparks (Matt Hanifan 10, Chickster 10, Official 10)

The Los Angeles Sparks having 2 top 4 picks was huge for them. Despite losing Nneka Ogwumike and Jordin Canada, I don’t think the Sparks are as far off as people think. They could make the playoffs as a very low seed. The trio of Azura Stevens, Lexie Brown, and Layshia Clarendon will now have to try to fill the void left by Ogwumike and Canada. However, drafting Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson is nasty and they will be able to be immediate contributors. As they get settled in the league, they might struggle, but they could make a solid run at a playoff berth near the end of the season.

9. Indiana Fever (Matt Hanifan 7, Chickster 9, Official 8)

The Fever have added the most illustrious player in women’s basketball right now: Caitlin Clark. Although college basketball will be different than the WNBA, Clark’s impact will be felt almost immediately. Clark may walk in on the roster as the 4th best player on the team with Kelsey Mitchell, NaLyssa Smith, and Aliyah Boston. However, depending on how Clark’s rookie season goes, she may end up higher than that. That’s 4 players on this Fever team that can work together to try to get a playoff berth. I think it will depend on Clark.

8. Atlanta Dream (Matt Hanifan 9, Chickster 6, Official 7.5)

This silently might be one of the better teams in the WNBA. Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Cheyenne Parker were a stout trio a year ago. However, the Dream lacked depth. They addressed that with the additions of Jordin Canada and Tina Charles. That is a solid 5 players with some rotational pieces that the Dream could use to make a serious run in the playoffs. I am higher on them than Hanifan is, but perhaps they should prove they are for real at the start of the season.

7. Minnesota Lynx (Matt Hanifan 6, Chickster 8, Official 7)

I’m not completely sure how to feel about the Minnesota Lynx. I know they have Napheesa Collier but it does get bleak for them after that. Kayla McBride and Diamond Miller were their best players after Collier. Not a supreme level of talent needed to win at a high level. The Lynx do have depth in players like Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, and Natisha Hiedeman, but I’m not sure they’re good enough to elevate this team to a higher level. The Lynx need a strong 2nd option, but they have a whole bunch of options on the team. We will see if that will be successful enough.

6. Phoenix Mercury (Matt Hanifan 8, Chickster 5, Official 6.5)

Midway through of WNBA Power Rankings we have the Phoenix Mercury. The Phoenix Mercury have a chance to make a considerable jump this season. They have added great talent to improve after being the 12th seed last year. Despite turning 42 this season, Diane Taurasi is still a strong player in this league. Brittany Griner is an arguable top 10 player in the WNBA. Then, they added talents like Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud. This team could still make some noise. It really depends on how much Taurasi can still bring to this team or if she will decline more this year. If all 4 are playing at a high level, they can be dangerous.

5. Dallas Wings (Matt Hanifan 5, Chickster 7, Official 6)

Maybe I am lower on this team than I should be. I mean Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, and Natasha Howard are nothing to scoff at. There’s not a lot after that though. This team is top-heavy, but it could be because they are so young as well. Jacy Sheldon has a chance to come in and provide solid production as a rookie with the lack of guards this team has. The top 3 players for the Wings are nasty, but it will be up to their young bench and team overall to see how high this team can go.

4. Seattle Storm (Matt Hanifan 4, Chickster 3, Official 3.5)

This team might have made the biggest jump from a year ago with their off-season. With Jewell Lloyd leading the WNBA in scoring last year, and the Storm still finishing 11th for the year. It was clear that they needed more help. Lloyd recruited Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith for a solid trio of stars. This is personally why I had them at 3 instead of the 3 on our WNBA Power Rankings. However, they shouldn’t be lower than 4 on this list. Don’t forget about Ezi Magbegor, a rising young player on this team as their 4th best player now. The Storm could make some serious noise this year.

3. Connecticut Sun (Matt Hanifan 3, Chickster 4, Official 3.5)

With the Sun being the 3rd overall seed last year, they got the tiebreaker over the Seattle Strom despite having the same score. This team will be even better than last year with Brionna Jones back in the rotation. Her, Alyssa Thomas, and DeWanna Bonner will keep this team competitive and be a title contender. However, one has to wonder if DeWanna Bonner will decline this year with her turning 37 this season.

2. New York Liberty (Matt Hanifan 2, Chickster 2, Official 2)

The other team that made the WNBA finals last year was the New York Liberty. They are firmly in the 2nd spot in these WNBA Power Rankings. The Liberty have a solid trio of players in Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Sabrina Ionescu. Courtney Vandersloot is also a key player for the Liberty. This team should battle for a championship again, but it will be tough to go through Las Vegas again.

1. Las Vegas Aces (Matt Hanifan 1, Chickster 1, Official 1)

The back-to-back defending champions are on top of the WNBA power rankings. They should be on top until proven otherwise. They have the best player in the WNBA in A’ja Wilson and then 3 other players that are also arguably in the top 10 of WNBA players right now in Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, and Kelsey Plum. Oh? That’s not enough for you? What about Becky Hammon, considerably the best coach in the WNBA? All of these factors are enough to convince me that the Las Vegas Aces are the title favorites this season.

Pervert Alert! Colin Cowherd Defends Gregg Doyel For Being Creepy Towards Caitlin Clark

This concludes our first-ever WNBA Power Rankings, please continue to check in with more WNBA content as the season goes on. Thank you to Matt Hanifan for his input on these picks as well!

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