With just 13 days remaining until the official start of the WNBA season, I’ll be counting down with a daily mini preview of each of the league’s 13 teams. Stay tuned as we break down what to watch, who to watch, and what to expect from every squad.

Table of Contents

• Training Camp and Preseason Reminder

• New Team, Who Dis?

• Hoops & Hype: Media Picks

  • Film Session: WBB Highlights & Insights 📽️

  • Booked & Busy: WBB Reads 👓

  • Drip Report 💧

Training Camp and Preseason Reminder

Teams are inviting a ton of players to training camp to battle it out for roster spots. Each team can bring in up to 18 players, so expect to see a lot of additions over the next few days.

To stay updated on who’s in and out of camp, check out Across the Timeline and the WNBA Transaction page.

I lied yesterday! Final rosters weren’t due May 13, they are due Thursday.

New Team, Who Dis?

For the first time since 2004, the Phoenix Mercury will take the court without Diana Taurasi. And for the first time since 2013, they’ll be without Brittney Griner. It’s a new dawn at the Footprint Center. I still hate that neither DT nor Candace Parker did farewell tour, smh, but that’s neither here nor there. BG announcing her decision to sign with the Atlanta Dream was the first real signal that DT was retiring. In response, Mercury owner Mat Ishbia took some big swings to make sure the team would stay competitive.

I talked about the trade when it first happened, but let’s revisit it: Phoenix was part of the massive four-team deal, the largest in WNBA history, that landed them Satou Sabally (from Dallas), Alyssa Thomas (from Connecticut), and other key additions like Kalani Brown. Satou and AT now join Kahleah Copper with their sights set on finally winning a championship. AT had spent her entire career with the Sun, making it to the semifinals five times and the Finals twice, but never securing the title. After years of giving her all, the final straw came when players were expected to practice while a toddler’s birthday party was happening in the gym. She was cored and traded to Phoenix for Natasha Cloud. Now, she gets access to elite facilities, a fresh environment, and most importantly, a renewed love for the game.

Satou let us know she wasn’t returning to Dallas during Unrivaled, and the Satou sweepstakes kicked off. Many assumed she was headed to the Liberty, especially since she was seen tagging along during their playoff run to support her sister, Nyara. But ultimately, she landed in Phoenix. She has been getting some fraud claims, especially after struggling in Unrivaled. However, with time to recover from her injury and get back into game shape, I think she’s poised for a strong season. It’ll be interesting to see how she meshes with Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas on the court.

The Mercury also have some key role players, including 6'7" center Kalani Brown, veteran sharpshooter Sami Whitcomb—fresh off an MVP and championship season in the WNBL—and sophomore standout Celeste Taylor (if she makes the final roster).

Overall, this Phoenix squad reminds me a lot of their NBA counterparts, the Suns. Mat Ishbia is clearly using a similar strategy for both: trade away future assets like draft picks in pursuit of superstars and an instant championship. That approach hasn’t worked for the Suns, and I think it’s likely to fall short for the Mercury too—at least in year one. The biggest concerns are the lack of depth and limited outside shooting outside of Sami. Expect some growing pains from this group

What to Look Out For:

Satou Sabally: If Satou is in game shape and ready to hoop, she’ll be a lethal force. That said, we’ve seen both versions of her: the dominant star and the off-night struggler. Some of the inconsistency can be chalked up to injuries or year-round play, especially during Olympic years. But even when she’s healthy, it still shows up from time to time. Still, I believe Satou will rise to the occasion this season and remind new fans why so many people have been high on her potential.

 Coach Girl Dad, aka Nate Thibbets, has said two interesting things this preseason that have me worried.

1) They’re telling the team to take fewer mid-range shots in favor of the three-ball. This is honestly such a bad idea. If you’re watching the NBA playoffs, it’s clear as day how some teams, who were supposed to win, are shooting themselves out of the damn playoffs by settling for threes. Meanwhile, teams like the Knicks, Pacers, and OKC are ending seasons with the middy. Overreliance on the three-ball can be a death sentence, but Tibbetts isn’t the only coach pushing this philosophy. It’s former NBA and college coaches bringing their foolishness to the W.

2) He’s also committed to this no–point guard setup, asking AT to run the offense or leaning into a point guard–by–committee approach. You know who else tried that and didn’t even make the play-in? The Phoenix Suns. You’re not winning games, a title, anything, without a real point guard. We already saw how the lack of one played out for the Merc in preseason. It should make fans nervous that they aren’t looking for a viable PG, especially after trading away a top one in Natasha Cloud.

Question Marks

• So…..who is the point guard?

• Will the big three mesh well?

• Will depth be a problem?

• Can Kalani Brown step up to the challenge of being the starting center? Will she grow her offensive game?

• Is this a playoff team?

CAP SPACE: $495,216

Free Agency and Roster Updates

The Coaches + Front Office

Idk why, but the Mercury made this information so hard to find!

Hoops & Hype: Media Picks

Check out some of the cool podcasts, videos, reads, and fashion I saw this week.

@phoenixmercury

ngl I’d sub myself out after that🤣 #phoenixmercury #satousabally #blocked #crazyblock #wnba #WNBA #WNBATok #SatouSabally #PhoenixMercury #... See more

@phoenixmercury

Kalani was NOT havin it 😭😭 #phoenixmercury #dunk #dunkcontest #dunkchallenge #wnba #phoenix #training #camp #trianingcamp

@phoenixmercury

“you know I’m finna act UP”😭💜 welcome home Kalani! #phoenixmercury #kalanibrown #phxmercury #trainingfacility #wnba #wnbaplayers #womensba... See more

Film Session: WBB Highlights & Insights 📽️

Booked & Busy: WBB Reads 👓

Drip Report 💧