The WNBA is stepping into a defining new era. From A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart to a wave of generational talent across every draft class, the league’s depth continues to grow entering its 30th year. With expansion underway and a new Collective Bargaining Agreement set to take effect, the annual General Manager Survey offers a snapshot of a league already in motion.
The rise of second-year guard Paige Bueckers has the Dallas Wings selected as the most fun team to watch and most improved entering 2026, with Bueckers also the top choice among general managers as the player to sign when building a franchise.
Reigning MVP Wilson is predicted to dominate once again and is the top choice to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The defending champion Las Vegas Aces are also favored to repeat as Finals winners.
Following a whirlwind offseason marked by significant player movement, Gabby Williams (Golden State) and Angel Reese (Atlanta) are named the two most impactful offseason acquisitions, while the Valkyries and the Dream were voted the top defensive teams, respectively.
Elsewhere on the survey, the effects of the new CBA are already shaping roster construction, and GMs identify the addition of two developmental roster spots as the biggest adjustment heading into this season.
WNBA GMs responded to 42 different questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. General managers were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question, rather than all 15 GMs.
>>The results of last year’s GM Survey are available here.
Which team will win the 2026 WNBA Finals?1. Las Vegas – 40%2. New York – 33%3. Atlanta – 27%**Last year: Minnesota – 60%
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA MVP?1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60%2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27%>> Also receiving: Caitlin Clark (IND); Allisha Gray (ATL)**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 67%
If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the WNBA, who would it be? 1. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 33%T-2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20%T-2. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 20%3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13%>> Also receiving votes: Breanna Stewart (NYL); Napheesa Collier (MIN)**Last year: Caitlin Clark – 50%
Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 60%2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13%>> Also receiving votes: Caitlin Clark (IND); Napheesa Collier (MIN); Kelsey Mitchell (IND);Breanna Stewart (NYL)**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 33%
Which player is most likely to have a breakout season? T-1. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15%T-1. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 15%>> Also receiving votes: Julie Allemand (TOR); Cameron Brink (LAS); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Kennedy Burke (CON); Veronica Burton (GSV); Rhyne Howard (ATL); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Leila Lacan (CON); Jackie Young (LVA)**Last year: Satou Sabally – 20%
Who is the best point guard in the WNBA? 1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 73%2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 20%3. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 7%**Last year: Caitlin Clark and Chelsea Gray — 50%
Who is the best shooting guard in the WNBA? 1. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 27%2. Paige Bueckers, Dallas – 20%T-3. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana – 13%T-3. Sabrina Ionescu, New York – 13%T-3. Allisha Gray, Atlanta – 13%>> Also receiving votes: Kelsey Plum (LVA); Kayla McBride (MIN)**Last year: Caitlin Clark – 33%
Who is the best forward in the WNBA? 1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 47%T-2. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 27%T-2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 27%**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 33%
Who is the best center in the WNBA? 1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 57%2. Jonquel Jones, New York – 21%3. Aliyah Boston, Indiana – 14%4. Brionna Jones, Atlanta – 7%**Last year: A’ja Wilson – 50%
Which team made the best overall moves this offseason? 1. Dallas – 47%2. Atlanta – 33%>> Also receiving votes: Chicago; Las Vegas; New York**Last year: Indiana – 64%
Which player acquisition will make the biggest impact? T-1. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 27%T-1. Gabby Williams, Golden State 27%3. Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles – 20%4. Satou Sabally, New York – 13%>> Also receiving votes: Marina Mabrey (TOR); Skylar Diggins (CHI)**Last year: Alyssa Thomas – 50%
What was the most underrated player acquisition?T-1. Ariel Atkins, Los Angeles – 21%T-1. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 21%3. Rickea Jackson, Chicago – 14%>> Also receiving votes: Pauline Astier (NYL); Monique Billings (IND); Kennedy Burke (CON); Nneka Ogwumike (LAS); Nyara Sabally (TOR); Erica Wheeler (LAS)**Last year: Sophie Cunningham, Ariel Atkins and DiJonai Carrington – 17%
What was the most surprising move of the offseason? 1. Satou Sabally, New York – 23%T-2. Angel Reese, Atlanta – 15%T-2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 15%>> Also receiving votes: Bridget Carleton (POR); Skylar Diggins (CHI); Rickea Jackson (CHI); Marina Mabrey (TOR); Jacy Sheldon (CHI); Brittney Sykes (TOR)**Last year: DeWanna Bonner – 33%
Which team will be most improved in 2026? 1. Dallas – 67%2. Chicago – 20%3. Los Angeles – 13%**Last year: Indiana – 42%
Who will win 2026 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year?1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 73%2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas – 20%3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 7%**Last year: Paige Bueckers – 73%
Which rookie will be the best player in five years? 1. Awa Fam, Seattle – 67%2. Olivia Miles, Minnesota – 33%**Last year: Dominique Malonga – 60%
Which rookie was the biggest steal at where she was selected in the Draft? T-1. Nell Angloma, Connecticut – 21%T-1. Ta’Niya Latson, Los Angeles – 21%3. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle – 14%>> Also receiving votes: Gianna Kneepkens (CON); Gabriela Jaquez (CHI); Cotie McMahon (WAS); Olivia Miles (MIN); Justine Pissott (IND); Awa Fam (SEA)**Last year: Dominique Malonga, Aaliyah Nye and Makayla Timpson – 20%
Who is the best international player in the WNBA?1. Jonquel Jones, New York – 33%2. Janelle Salaun, Golden State – 20%T-3. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13%T-3. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 13%>> Also receiving votes: Leonie Fiebich (NYL); Leïla Lacan (CON); Awa Fam (SEA)**Last year: Jonquel Jones – 50%
Which country (outside of the U.S.) is producing the best WNBA talent right now? 1. France – 100%**Last year: France – 80%
Who is the best defensive player in the WNBA? 1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 53%2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 20%3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 13%>> Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Alanna Smith (DAL)**Last year: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota – 33%
Who is the best interior defender in the WNBA? 1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 73%2. Alanna Smith, Dallas – 13%T-3. Ezi Magbegor, Seattle – 7%T-3. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 7%**Last year: A’ja Wilson– 67%
Who is the best perimeter defender in the WNBA? 1. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 60%2. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 20%>> Also receiving votes: DiJonai Carrington (CHI); Jordin Canada (ATL); Kahleah Copper (PHX)**Last year: DiJonai Carrington – 27%
Which team will be the best defensive team in the WNBA? 1. Golden State – 50%2. Atlanta – 36%T-3. Indiana – 7%T-3. Minnesota – 7%**Last year: Minnesota – 73%
Who is the best head coach in the WNBA? 1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 53%2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 40%3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 7%**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 83%
Which head coach is the best manager/motivator of people? 1. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 43%T-2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 14%T-2. Stephanie White, Indiana – 14%T-2. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 14%>> Also receiving votes: Cheryl Reeve (MIN); Karl Smesko (ATL)**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 36%
Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments? 1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 50%2. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 33%T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 7%T-3. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 7%**Last year: Cheryl Reeve – 50%
Which head coach runs the best offense?1. Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota – 33%2. Nate Tibbetts, Phoenix – 20%T-3. Becky Hammon, Las Vegas – 13%T-3. Natalie Nakase, Golden State – 13%T-3. Karl Smesko, Atlanta – 13%6. Stephanie White, Indiana – 7%**Last year: Becky Hammon and Cheryl Reeve – 45%
Which new or relocated head coach will make the biggest impact on his/her new team?1. Sandy Brondello, Toronto – 71%2. Jose Fernandez, Dallas – 14%T-3. Sonia Raman, Seattle – 7%T-3. Chris DeMarco, New York – 7%**Last year: Stephanie White – 50%
Who is the best assistant coach in the WNBA?1. Eric Thibault, Minnesota – 36%T-2. Kristi Toliver, Phoenix – 18%T-2. Briann January, Indiana – 18%>> Also receiving votes: Olaf Lange (TOR); Brandi Poole (ATL); Roneeka Hodges (CON)
Which active player will make the best head coach someday?1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 50%2. Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago – 17%>> Also receiving votes: Lindsay Allen (DAL); Veronica Burton (GSV); Paige Bueckers (DAL); Alyssa Thomas (PHX)**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which retired player who isn’t already coaching in the W should be? 1. Sue Bird – 36%T-2. Katie Smith – 14%T-2. Candace Parker – 14%T-2. Seimone Augustus – 14%>> Also receiving votes: Lindsay Harding; Lisa Leslie; Diana Taurasi**Last year: Dawn Staley, Lisa Leslie, Candice Dupree and Sue Bird – 18%
Which team will be the most fun to watch? 1. Dallas – 36%T-2. Atlanta – 29%T-2. Indiana – 29%4. Golden State – 7%**Last year: Indiana – 75%
Which team has the best home-court advantage? 1. Golden State – 64%2. Indiana – 21%3. New York – 14%**Last year: New York – 50%
Which team has the most promising young core?T-1. Dallas – 31%T-1. Seattle – 31%3. Washington – 23%4. Indiana – 15%**Last year: Indiana – 50%
Which player is the most athletic? 1. Brittney Sykes, Toronto – 31%2. Dominique Malonga, Seattle – 15%>> Also receiving votes: Cameron Brink (LAS); Kahleah Copper (PHX); Kelsey Mitchell (IND); Saniya Rivers (CON); Gabby Williams (GSV); A’ja Wilson (LVA); Jackie Young (LVA)**Last year: Kahleah Copper – 36%
Which player is the best passer?1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93%2. Caitlin Clark, Indiana – 7%**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 75%
Which player is the best leader? 1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 79%>> Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Chelsea Gray (LVA); Breanna Stewart (NYL)**Last year: Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson – 42%
Who is the most versatile player in the WNBA?1. Breanna Stewart, New York – 36%T-2. Gabby Williams, Golden State – 21%T-2. Alyssa Thomas, Phoenix – 21%>> Also receiving votes: Napheesa Collier (MIN); Allisha Gray (ATL); Satou Sabally (NYL)**Last year: Napheesa Collier – 42%
Which player has the best basketball IQ?1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 93%2. Breanna Stewart, New York – 7%**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 36%
Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?T-1. Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas – 36%T-1. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas – 36%3. Jackie Young, Las Vegas – 14%>> Also receiving votes: Paige Bueckers (DAL); Arike Ogunbowale (DAL)**Last year: Chelsea Gray – 25%
Which 2 teams will lead their conference in the Commissioner’s Cup to reach the championship game? 1. Las Vegas (West) vs. New York (East) – 43%2. Las Vegas (West) vs. Atlanta (East) – 29%>> Also receiving votes: Las Vegas vs. Indiana; Phoenix vs. Atlanta; Dallas vs. New York; Los Angeles vs. New York**Last year: Minnesota (West) vs. New York (East) – 50%
Which change to the league this year will require the biggest adjustment? 1. Development Player Spots – 42%2. New Expansion Teams – 25%3. New CBA – 17%4. World Cup Break – 8%
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