The Ultimate WNBA 2024 Season Preview and Rankings

As the popularity of sports betting continues to soar and players like Caitlin Clark captivate audiences, the WNBA is experiencing a surge in interest. With the regular season set to kick off on Tuesday, May 14th, The Money Baller is your ultimate destination for comprehensive WNBA coverage. Our team has been at the forefront of analyzing and wagering on the league for several seasons, amassing a wealth of data, insights, and trends to give you the edge against the oddsmakers.

In this season preview, we’ll delve into each of the 12 teams in the WNBA, providing a forecast of their potential standings from bottom to top.

The Money Baller will be offering matchup pages with the same data, stats, and trends as our NBA matchup pages. Basic Access is free for until August 1, which will cover most of the WNBA season. Baller Access gets you access to profitable situational systems and exclusive breakdowns. Click here to sign up!

12. Chicago Sky

2023 Record & Result: 18-22 (8th place); Lost to Las Vegas in 1st Round
Key Additions: Teresa Weatherspoon (Coach), Kamilla Cardoso (Draft), Angel Reese (Draft)
Key Departures: James Wade (Coach), Kahleah Copper (Mercury), Courtney Williams (Lynx), Alanna Smith (Lynx)
The Chicago Sky have entered a full rebuild phase with a new coach. Despite this, they have added promising talents in Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese. However, Cardoso’s contribution will be delayed due to a shoulder injury, sidelining her for 4-6 weeks.
Last season, the Sky surpassed expectations with a 21-16-3 ATS record, despite losing key players like Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot from two seasons ago.
With the departures of Copper and Williams, the Sky’s outlook for the upcoming season looks dim. Yet, if last season’s performance is any indication, they might scrap their way to some backdoor covers.
The Sky held a 17-10 record to the first half (1H) under as underdogs in the previous season.

11. Los Angeles Sparks

2023 Record & Result: 17-23 (9th place); Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Aari McDonald (Dream), Cameron Brink (Draft), Rickea Jackson (Draft)
Key Departures: Nneka Ogwumike (Storm), Jordin Canada (Dream)
Embracing a youth movement, the team traded former MVP Ogwumike and looking to develop their two draft picks, Brink and Jackson. Their veterans Azura Stevens and Dearica Hamby must set the tone and anchor the defense, and with their new personnel, this team has the potential to be one of the better defensive units in the league.
Last season, they played at a slow pace, evidenced by their 14-6 record to the under at home. This suggests that betting ‘unders’ might be a good look for this squad.

10. Washington Mystics

Key Additions: Aaliyah Edwards (Draft)
Key Departures: Elena Della Donne (Break), Natasha Cloud (Mercury)
The announcement of Delle Donne stepping away from the game this season was met with sadness from The Money Baller team, marking the absence of a true legend in the league. The absence of Delle Donne and Cloud paints a bleak picture for the Mystics’ 2024 prospects, evident in their low regular season win total projection of 11.5 games.
Shakira Austin and Brittney Sykes will be leaned on heavily this season.
Historically, the Mystics have excelled as an ‘unders’ team, boasting a 22-16-2 record to the under.
Last season, the Mystics showed shown strength in the first half, with a 23-17 ATS record. However, their performance dips slightly to 18-22 ATS for full games.

9. Indiana Fever

Key Additions: Caitlin Clark (Draft), Katie Lou Samuelson (FA)
Key Departures: None
There’s considerable hype surrounding Clark and the Indiana Fever, and rightfully so. Expectations are high, which could translate into inflated spreads for the Fever as fans and bettors alike rally behind this sensation. It could be worth fading this team in certain matchups as Clark faces the transition from college to the pros.
Kelsey Mitchell and Erica Wheeler’s leadership will be vital in helping build some synergy with their young stars.

8. Dallas Wings

2023 Record & Result: 22-18 (4th place); Lost to Las Vegas in Semifinals
Key Additions: Jacy Sheldon (Draft)
Key Departures: Crystal Dangerfield (Dream)
The Wings were a fun team last season – showcasing an entertaining run-and-gun style en route to an impressive 22-18 ATS record. Additionally, their games typically went over with a 24-16 record.
Unfortunately, the team faces a setback with the anticipated absence of Satou Sabally, their second-leading scorer, expected to miss time until the Olympic break (at the 25-game mark). Basketball Reference’s On/Off numbers revealed a significant decrease in Net Rating by 9.8 points when she was off the court.
While the Wings still possess a solid roster, Sabally’s absence will undoubtedly pose challenges, making it difficult for them to make that next leap. Arike Ogunbowale and Natasha Howard must continue their high level of play.

7. Minnesota Lynx

2023 Record & Result: 19-21 (tied for 5th place); Lost to Connecticut in 1st Round
Key Additions: Courtney Williams (Sky), Natisha Hiedeman (Sun), Alanna Smith (Sky), Alissa Pili (Draft)
Key Departures: Jessica Shepard (Prioritization Rule), Tiffany Mitchell (Sun), Aerial Powers (Dream)
The Lynx improved their backcourt, complementing star player Napheesa Collier with some solid, underrated acquisitions in Hiedeman and Williams. Anticipate an uptick in offensive performance with the addition of these playmakers to their roster.
Sophomores Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász’s development in their second seasons is crucial to their success.
Last season, the Lynx’s games leaned towards the over, posting a 23-17 (57.5%) record. Given their upgrades on offense, it wouldn’t be unexpected if they continued trending in the same direction this season.

6. Phoenix Mercury

2023 Record & Result: 9-31 (12th place); Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Natasha Cloud (Mystics), Rebecca Allen (Sun), Kahleah Copper (Sky), Nate Tibbetts (Coach)
Key Departures: Vanessa Nygaard (Coach), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Storm), Megan Gustafson (Aces)
The Mercury endured a disappointing season, finishing with a league-worst 14-26 ATS record. Expectations were high with Britney Griner’s return, but results fell short.
Their road performance was particularly dismal, with a pathetic 1-19 record SU and 5-15 ATS.
With a new coaching staff in place and notable acquisitions like Cloud and Copper, the Mercury are expected to turn things around. Both have championship experience and bring a winning pedigree to the team. Diana Taurasi and Griner’s health are crucial as they both missed time last season. Their team looks better on paper, but we need to see it on the court.

5. Atlanta Dream

2023 Record & Result: 19-21 (tied for 5th place); Lost to Dallas in 1st Round
Key Additions: Jordin Canada (Sparks), Tina Charles (FA), Aerial Powers (Lynx), Crystal Dangerfield (Wings)
Key Departures: None
Following their early exit from the playoffs, the Dream re-tooled their roster with solid acquisitions during the offseason. On paper, they have a strong and deep squad. If Tina Charles can still contribute at a high level and Rhyne Howard plays at an MVP caliber level, the Dream are poised to make significant noise in the league.
Despite playing at the fastest pace in the league last season, the Dream’s games leaned towards the under, posting a 23-17 record. This was largely attributed to their struggles on the offensive end. When favored, the Dream’s games trended heavily towards the under, with a 13-4 record in such scenarios.
The Dream had a strong contrast between their home and away games last season. They went 11-8-1 ATS at home, but 8-12 ATS on the road.
Much like their NBA counterpart, the Atlanta Hawks, the Dream excel in the first half but tend to falter in the second. Last season, they boasted a strong 23-17 ATS record in the first half, contrasting with 19-20-1 ATS record for full games.

4. Seattle Storm

2023 Record & Result: 11-29 (11th place); Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Nneka Ogwumike (Sparks), Skylar Diggins-Smith (Mercury)
Key Departures: Gabby Williams (Prioritization Rule)
The Storm have made significant strides this offseason, aiming not just for a postseason return but eyeing a title run. Led by rising star Jewell Loyd, the team added Ogwumike and Diggins-Smith, forming a dangerous Big 3 combination. This infusion of talent addresses a crucial need for a team that ranked last in Offensive Rating last season.
The Storm faced challenges at home last season. They struggled to a 4-16 record and a disappointing 6-14 ATS performance in the first half at home. We expect them to turn it around but is something to monitor this season.

3. Connecticut Sun

2023 Record & Result: 27-13 (3rd place); Lost to New York in Semifinals
Key Additions: Tiffany Mitchell (Lynx), Moriah Jefferson (Mercury)
Key Departures: Natisha Hiedeman (Lynx), Rebecca Allen (Mercury)
Despite the departure of Jonquel Jones, the Sun defied expectations last season, led by the deadly trio of Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones, and DeWanna Bonner. They finished with an impressive 27-13 record and ranked in the top four for both Offensive and Defensive Rating.
The Sun largely retained their core roster and didn’t make many significant offseason moves. The return of B. Jones will be crucial to their title chances. While this may not position them with powerhouses like the Aces and Liberty, they remain a disciplined, well-coached team poised for another successful campaign. They’ll need some stronger bench production from DiJontai Carrington and Olivia Nelson-Ododa.
Their performance in terms of totals exhibit intriguing splits last season: They leaned towards the over at home with a 13-6-1 record, while on the road, they trended towards the under with a 12-8 record.

2. New York Liberty

2023 Record & Result: 32-8 (2nd place); Lost to Las Vegas in WNBA Finals
Key Additions: Marquesha Davis (Draft)
Key Departures: Marine Johannes (Prioritization Rule), Stefanie Dolson (Mystics)
The Liberty will be seeking redemption after the loss to the Aces in the Finals last season. With a core consisting of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot, they aim to maintain that dominance.
Despite an impressive 32-8 record, they fell short of market expectations with a 19-21 ATS performance. However, with a full season to develop chemistry, we anticipate an improved performance this season.
Although the Liberty didn’t lose much last season, they showed resilience by bouncing back after defeats, posting a 4-1 ATS record following a loss.
One area of concern is the need for more reliable scoring off the bench, especially with the absence of Johannes. Addressing this could further bolster the team’s depth and overall performance.

1. Las Vegas Aces

2023 Record & Result: 34-6 (1st place); WNBA Champions
Key Additions: Megan Gustafson (Mercury)
Key Departures: Candace Parker (Retirement)
The Aces aim for a three-peat this season but lost a huge piece with the retirement of Candace Parker. The Aces had a +12.7 Net Rating with her on the court, as indicated by Basketball Reference On/Off numbers.
Despite Parker’s departure, the Aces maintain a dominant core featuring A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young.
However, there are concerns about potential championship hangover or fatigue, given the intensity of their previous seasons. The emergence of competitors like the Liberty, along with an improving Storm and Mercury, adds to the challenges the Aces may face this season. Winning a third consecutive title won’t be easy, but the Aces are poised to contend amidst tougher competition.

The Money Baller is excited to announce that we’ll be providing matchup pages packed with comprehensive data, statistics, and trends for the WNBA, just like our NBA matchup pages.

For a limited time, Basic Access is free until August 1, offering coverage for the majority of the WNBA season. Plus, with Baller Access, you’ll unlock access to profitable situational systems and exclusive breakdowns that can give you an edge in your betting strategy.

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