WNBA Award Predictions for MVP, Rookie of the 12 months, Championship, and extra

The extremely anticipated 2025 WNBA season begins right this moment, with Paige Bueckers slated to make her skilled debut, the Golden State Valkyries able to host their first-ever common season recreation, 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 yr’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 yr’s elimination? How will Kelsey Plum alter to a brand new atmosphere in Los Angeles? The record goes on and on.

SB Nation has submitted preseason predictions for who will win MVP, Rookie of the 12 months, Coach of the 12 months, and, in the end, the WNBA championship.

MVP Prediction: Napheesa Collier

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

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

Rookie of the 12 months Prediction: Paige Bueckers

Photograph by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos

Paige Bueckers looks like an inevitable Rookie of the 12 months choice, although something can occur. The previous UConn star, and no-brainer No. 1 choose, joins a Dallas Wings workforce 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 considered one of faculty basketball’s most effective gamers, which bodes nicely for her WNBA transition. And, whereas she’ll be surrounded by different expertise, she’s poised to have a large

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

Coach of the 12 months: Stephanie White

Photograph by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Photos

It’s arduous to forecast Coach of the 12 months prematurely, however Stephanie White looks like an ideal projection. White is heading into an ideal state of affairs with a revamped Fever roster that has all the mandatory elements to contend. It’s nearly inevitable they may far exceed their .500 file. White was named Coach of the 12 months in 2023 and is broadly thought of among the finest coaches within the recreation.

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 operating 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 (harm). 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 adjustments, 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 workforce. They’ve considered one of, if not the, greatest guards within the recreation in Caitlin Clark. Kelsey Mitchell is recent off of the very best season of her profession. Aliyah Boston is a two-time All-Star middle. 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 underneath Stephanie White’s management, the Fever seem poised to contend now.

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