The 2023 Women’s National Basketball Association season is just around the corner as the opening tip off of the regular season is scheduled for May 19th, 2023. For the upcoming season a ton of excitement is beginning to build up as the WNBA moves their regular season to expand to a 40-game schedule.

Meanwhile the 2023 WNBA Draft is in the books delivering some exciting top tier prospects to the women’s game of basketball for the upcoming season.

As you start to look around the WNBA a long list of teams warrants consideration of a spot on the Top 10 WNBA Teams Predictions 2023 rankings list. 

 

After taking home the WNBA Championship last season, the Las Vegas Aces enter the 2023 WNBA schedule as favorites to repeat as champions.

The Aces are loaded with firepower including guard Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson. Behind those two stars and the addition of Candace Parker the Aces are the team to beat entering the season. 

Joining the Aces on the 10 best teams in the WNBA include the likes of the New York Liberty, Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, and the Indiana Fever. Here is a look at the Top 10 WNBA Teams Predictions 2023 rankings list.

Honorable Mention

Seattle Storm

Landing just outside of the Top 10 WNBA Teams Predictions 2023 rankings list is the Seattle Storm. Despite missing a top 10 spot the Storm are a solid team entering the season after landing Jordan Horston during the 2023 WNBA Draft.

The loss of Breanna Stewart to free agency and Sue Bird to retirement the Storm enter the season with big question marks however Horston as well as the addition of Kia Nurse and Fankam Mendjiadeau deliver the storm some talent to surprise teams in the WNBA Western conference. 

Connecticut Sun

Another team hurt by the WNBA offseason is the Connecticut Sun who lost star player Jonquel Jones as well as head coach Curt Miller.

Despite the losses the Sun’s have a strong team including Brionna Jones who is coming off another strong season while averaging 13.8 points per game to go along with 5.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.

The addition of Caitlin Bickle, Alexis Morris, and Khaalia Hillsman from the WNBA Draft to go along with potential star Nia Clouden the Suns have a bright young core to compete during the upcoming 2023 WNBA schedule.

Top 10 Best WNBA Teams List

10. Chicago Sky

Coming in at number 10 on the Top 10 WNBA Teams Predictions 2023 rankings list is the Chicago Sky. The Sky, who finished last season with the second-best record in the NBA last season after winning 26 games, will have a difficult season ahead of them in a very crowded and talented WNBA Eastern Conference.

After losing five players from last year's team the Sky will have a difficult time filling the void left by those stars including Candace Parker.

While the losses will deliver struggles early on for the Sky, the team has talent including the addition of Marina Mabrey through free agency and Kayana Taylor during the WNBA Draft. 

9. Dallas Wings

Looking ahead one of the dark horses and WNBA sleeper teams to watch entering the upcoming 2023 WNBA season is the Dallas Wings. The Wings were busy this offseason while looking to take a big step forward within the WNBA Western Conference.

After winning 18 games last season and finishing 3rd within the conference the Wings added Diamond DeShields through an off-season trade while also adding talented scorer Maddy Siegrist during the 2023 WNBA Draft. Siegrist will give the team a strong scorer and a player who could take over as the leader on the team.

8. Atlanta Dream

One team looking to take a big step forward during the 2023 WNBA season is the Atlanta Dream who failed to reach the WNBA Playoffs during the 2022 season.

Despite finishing with just a 14-22 record last season the Dream have some solid players on their roster to help them compete in the WNBA Eastern Conference.

With visions of making a run this season the Dream added Alisha Gray to their roster through free agency as well as Haley Jones and Laeticia Amihere through the WNBA Draft.

Those additions along with the potential development of 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard the dream will make a run during the upcoming WNBA season.

7. Minnesota Lynx

Entering the upcoming 2023 WNBA season the Minnesota Lynx turned around their offseason by landing a strong draft class that featured former Maryland Terps stud guard Diamond Miller to retool their starting rotation.

Miller finished off her college career averaging 19.7 points per game to go along with 6.4 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 2.9 assists, and 1.3 blocked shots per game.

The Lynx also managed to add proven winners Dorka Juhasz from the UConn Huskies and Brel Beal from the South Carolina Gamecocks. The last piece of the moves was Maia Hirsch who gives the team a player with size and the ability to handle the basketball. 

6. Phoenix Mercury

The future for the Phoenix Mercury revolves around the health and play of Britney Griner who when on the floor ranks among one of the most dominating players in the WNBA.

After losing Griner last season due to her not being available, Griner is expected to contribute during the 2023 WNBA season while making the Mercury a team to watch in the WNBA Western Conference.

With no first or second round picks during the draft the Mercury turned to free agency signing Michaela Onyenwere and Moriah Jefferson.

Those two with Griner, Dianna Taursi and Sophie Cunningham gives the team a strong starting five to compete with any team in the WNBA.

5. Indiana Fever

Rounding out the top five on the Top 10 WNBA Teams Predictions 2023 rankings list is the Indiana Fever. After finishing last during the 2022 WNBA Season the Fever had the luxury of drafting first overall while using the pick to draft Aliyah Boston.

Boston, who put together a storied college basketball career will now look to bring her leadership and knack for winning to the Fever to help them compete in the WNBA Eastern Conference. 

Boston will join an up-and-coming roster of players including NaLyssa Smith who the team drafted last season to go along with Kelsey Mitchell and Erica Wheeler. If the Fever can come together and develop as a team, they will be difficult to beat during the upcoming season.

4. Washington Mystics

Coming off 22-win season the Washington Mystics are set to continue their success in the WNBA Eastern Conference in 2023.

Despite trading away 2023 WNBA first round draft pick Stephanie Soares for future first round picks, the Mystics are as loaded as any team in the league including Elena Delle Donne who finished last season ranked 9th in the WNBA in scoring while averaging 17.2 points per game. Joine Donne on the court includes recent acquisition Kristi Toliver, Shakira Austin, Natasha Cloud, and Ariel Atkins. 

3. Los Angeles Sparks

The WNBA Western Conference is loaded with talented teams for the upcoming season while the Los Angeles Sparks will look to compete with the Las Vegas Aces for the top spot.

The Sparks who put together a strong draft landing Zia Cooke from the South Carolina Gamecocks to deliver the team a point guard who can run the team’s offense as well as Monika Czinano who ranked among the best centers in college basketball season.

The two 2023 WNBA draft picks gave the team a bright future during a busy offseason including adding Dearica Hamby who played for the Aces last season as well as Jasmine Thomas, Nneka Ogumike and Chiney Ogumike.

2. New York Liberty

When it comes to the top two teams in the WNBA both the New York Liberty and the Las Vegas Aces are contenders to win the WNBA Championship.

The Liberty made the biggest splash of any team during the offseason, landing two of the top players in the league in Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.

Stewart, who finished last season as the leading scorer in the WNBA averaged 21.8 points per game to go along with 7.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Meanwhile Jones finished last season ranked 19th in the WNBA in scoring averaging 14.6 points per game. The team also added Courtney Vandersloot to join the likes of Benijah Laney, Marine Johannes and Sabrinna Ionescu.

1. Las Vegas Aces

In at number one on the Top 10 WNBA Teams Predictions 2023 rankings list is the reigning WNBA Champions the Las Vegas Aces.

After winning a league high 26 games last season the Aces will look to continue to add to their success while repeating during the 2023 WNBA Season.

The Aces are loaded with talent including Kelsey Plum who led the team averaging 20.2 points per game and A’ja Wilson who averaged 19.5 points per game. The team also returns Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young who both averaged at least 13 points per game.

To go along with those stars the Aces were able to also add Candace Parker and Alysha Clark to their roster to solidify their roster while giving the team depth to compete with any team in the WNBA this upcoming season.

How would you rank these WNBA Teams going into the 2023 WNBA Season?