Welcome! 🎉 In an effort to stop spamming my friends with constant women’s basketball updates, I’ve created this newsletter. I know—so generous of me. No need to thank me! I’m here to keep you informed on most things WBB.

Table of Contents

• WNBA Preview: Draft Results & What's Ahead

• Team by Team Updates

  • Atlanta Dream

  • Chicago Sky

  • Connecticut Sun

  • Dallas Wings

  • Golden State Valkyries

  • Indiana Fever

  • Las Vegas Aces

  • Los Angeles Sparks

  • Minnesota Lynx

  • New York Liberty

  • Phoenix Mercury

  • Seattle Storm

  • Washington Mystics

• Hoops & Hype: Media Picks

  • Film Session: WBB Highlights & Insights 📽️

  • Booked & Busy: WBB Reads 👓

  • Drip Report 💧

WNBA Preview: Draft Results & What's Ahead

There’s a sweet, fleeting bliss between the WNBA Draft and Training Camp cuts. For two brief weeks, draftees and unsigned invitees hover on the cusp of their WNBA dreams. But with tight cap space and limited roster spots, some will find those dreams deferred, for now.

With just under a month until the season tips off, players are lacing up for training camp, which begins this Sunday

Team by Team Updates

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. 

Unlike the NBA, getting drafted in the WNBA doesn’t guarantee you a spot on the roster, and there’s no G League to fall back on. The current CBA limits teams to just 12 roster spots and enforces a hard salary cap, making it incredibly competitive.

That said, the addition of the Golden State franchise and the roster shake-ups in Connecticut and Washington (both deep in rebuild mode) have opened up more opportunities for players to make a team this year.

Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream are entering the 2025 season with an exciting new roster and promising draft picks. One of the standout additions is Te-Hina Paopao, the NCAA’s leader in three-point accuracy, whose sharpshooting skills fill a key need for the team. Meanwhile, Bri Jones is coming off a dominant overseas campaign, earning EuroLeague MVP honors after leading USK Praha to their second EuroLeague title with a commanding 24-point, 11-rebound performance in the final.

CAP SPACE: $145,365

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Chicago Sky

The Sky had a good draft, selecting Hailey Van Lith from TCU and Maddy Westbeld from Notre Dame. While I was off about HVL going top 7, she was still picked in the first round and will reunite with her former LSU teammate Angel Reese. This feels like the perfect landing spot for her. With head coach Tyler Marsh at the helm—just look at Jackie Young’s development as proof of his coaching impact—HVL will have the opportunity to grow, make mistakes, and find her rhythm on a young team.

The Sky used their first pick in the draft to snag Slovenian player Ajsa Sivka. At 19 years old, Ajsa already plays professionally in France. She may come over this year, but oftentimes these younger international players stay overseas to develop. Also there could be more struggle getting visas thanks to Donald the Dumbass.

Chicago also signed Jessika Carter, a 2024 draftee who spent time in the Aces’ training camp but didn’t make the final roster. It’s great to see her get another shot with the Sky.

CAP SPACE: $198,625

@espn

Slovenia's Ajša Sivka's dad was emotional watching his daughter get drafted by the Chicago Sky with the 10th overall pick in the WNBA draf... See more

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Connecticut Sun

The Sun snagged some fun draft picks in #7 Aneesah Morrow (LSU), #8 Sniya Rivers, and second-round pick, Rayah Marshall (USC). This is one of the best places in the league to land as a rookie or training camp invite. They’re in full rebuild mode with plenty of cap space (especially after trading Tash Cloud and her $200K contract), so there’s real opportunity to make the roster.

I was hyped to see Aneesah drafted here. The chance to learn from Tina Charles is going to be huge for her. Honestly, nobody’s grabbing a rebound with those two on the floor.

Funny enough, despite asking to be traded, it looks like Marina finally came around to the idea that her ass is stuck in Uncansville. She’s been spotted showing the rookies around the illustrious Mohegan Sun Casino, so maybe she’s warming up to the place after all.

CAP SPACE: $681,368

@_neesthabeast

We’re going to work on these trip outs 🧡#fyp #neesah #fypシ #connecticutsun

 Free Agency and Roster Updates

Dallas Wings

Well, Dallas. Weeping (trading Luka) may endure for a night, but Joy (drafting Paige) cometh in the morning

GM Curt Miller was cooking in this draft. Of course, he didn’t hesitate to snag young phenom Paige Bueckers with the first pick. Paige’s impact is much needed, as she’ll bring her PG skills to a team that really needs a damn point guard.

Aside from Paige, Dallas picked up Aziaha James (NC State) and Madison Scott (Ole Miss). These three seem like locks to make the roster (obviously, Paige is making the team).

That said, Dallas’ training camp will be uber competitive, with a ton of rookies—both drafted and undrafted—and free agents competing for spots.

CAP SPACE: $378,303

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Golden State Valkyries

Now, I’m kind of scared for Golden State. In both the expansion and regular drafts, they mainly chose international players—and with Donald the Dumbass in charge, the visa situation is precarious. Also, a lot of them are younger players. I think it’s cool that these international players, and some drafted players who otherwise wouldn’t have gotten an opportunity, now will.

Two highlights from draft night: they drafted former Terp Shyanne Sellers (University of Maryland), who showed a ton of promise throughout her college career. She also got engaged to her former teammate and girlfriend the day before the draft!

They also picked up Kaitlyn Chen,newly minted NCAA Champion and standout who transferred to UConn for her final year. She was at the draft supporting her pal Paige Bueckers—and ended up getting drafted herself.

This team is probably going to be ass, but at least their colors are cool.

CAP SPACE: $621,506

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Indiana Fever

The Fever made big moves during free agency, so they kept things relatively modest in the draft. They did, however, reunite Gamecock teammates by drafting Bree Hall, who could once again suit up alongside Aliyah Boston.

Unsurprisingly, they exercised the fourth-year rookie-scale contract option on Aliyah Boston. That means she’ll remain with the Fever for another year on her rookie deal before becoming a restricted free agent in 2027.

They don’t have much cap space or roster flexibility left, so training camp likely won’t be too eventful.

CAP SPACE $112,273

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Las Vegas Aces

Chile… I have no idea what the Aces are doing. Their draft picks and training camp invites are interesting and full of cool people, but I don’t know how they’re supposed to elevate the team.

The bright side is that Chelsea Gray and Jackie (maybe?) are healthy, I think Jewell will play better now that she’s happy, and A’ja is still A’ja. But after that??? I don’t know what they’re going to do.

They drafted Harvard player Harmoni Turner, who’s coming off a great year. They also picked up sharpshooter Aaliyah Nye from the University of Alabama, which could help with their much-needed outside shooting. They also signed undrafted UNC and Oregon girlie Deja Kelly. I’m glad she’s getting a shot.

Idk what to say about the Aces man lmfaoo I truly don’t care. I just hope they don’t beat the Libs on ring night LOL

CAP SPACE: $217,365

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Los Angeles Sparks

After trading the #2 pick to acquire Kelsey Plum, the Sparks started their draft with the #9 pick, Sarah Ashlee Baker from Alabama. She had a monster game in the NCAA tourney and overall good run, where she raised her draft stock. I think she will make the final roster. The Sparks also added some frontcourt muscle by picking up South Carolina big Sania Feagin.

Good news for Sparks fans: Cam Brink is expected to be ready to go at the start of the season after nearly a year of rehabbing her ACL. If she’s back to form, that’s a game-changer for L.A.'s defense and overall vibe.

CAP SPACE: $251,968

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx are another one of those teams that’s running it back. The small tweaks they did make happened in the offseason. They drafted a few players and invited some folks to training camp, but honestly, these players have about $6 and a Tim Hortons gift card to work with.

One notable non-draft move: they traded a 2026 first-round pick (which... doesn’t seem smart to me) to acquire Karlie Samuelson from the Washington Mystics. Since they lost sharpshooter Zandalsini in the expansion draft, the trade for Karlie makes sense. She’s coming off a solid international season with Turkish club ÇBK Mersin, who were runners-up in the EuroLeague Women competition.

The Lynx also brought back Jessica Shepard, who sat out last season to fulfill commitments with her Italian club. She’s already signed, so she’s not competing for a spot—which also explains why the Lynx are broke. I was happy they picked up Diamond Johnson!

CAP SPACE: $67,829

Free Agency and Roster Updates

New York Liberty

The Liberty spent the past week welcoming their new players and bringing back some familiar faces! Tash Cloud and Isabelle Harrison have arrived for their first official days as part of the squad, and returning players are flocking back to the city as their international and offseason commitments wrap up. Leo is still finishing up the playoffs in the Spanish League, but due to the prioritization rule, she’ll have to leave early to report to training camp.

Like the Lynx, we ain’t got no money—so I’m not sure why we have all these training invites??? Unlike the Lynx, though, training camp will actually be a bit more competitive because we’ve got open roster spots up for grabs. I’d keep an eye on our 2023 draftee (and the first Dominican player ever drafted to the WNBA), Esmery Martinez. She didn’t make the cut last year but has been developing overseas.

Because of Betnijah’s injury and subsequent surgery, she’ll be out for most of the season. So, it’s very possible the Liberty will suspend her contract for the year to free up cap space ($185,400) to sign other players. The bright side for B is that Unrivaled will cover her full salary if that happens.

P.S. Shout-out to Nyara and her Turkish league team, Fenerbahçe, for winning the Turkish league championship.

CAP SPACE: $289,893

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Phoenix Mercury

Much like the Phoenix Suns, the Mercury traded away all their draft capital to build a superteam, so they had zero picks in this draft. They're extremely top-heavy, with their starting lineup locked in and a few key role players already in place. That means training camp is going to be a dogfight as they figure out which bench pieces fit best around their stars.

CAP SPACE: $495,216

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Seattle Storm

With the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Storm selected French phenom Dominique Malonga. With comparisons to Wemby, Dominique is 6'6", has handles, can dunk effortlessly, and is already playing professionally with Olympic experience under her belt. There’s some talk that she might stay overseas this year, but I doubt it. Learning and playing alongside Ezi and Gabby Williams (who she already plays with on the French national team) would be huge for her growth and for the Storm, who definitely need depth.

They also had a great pick up with Serena Sundall out of Kanasa State. Fun Fact her brother currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks, great one-stop shop for their parents.

In sadder news, it was announced that Nika Mühl will be out for the 2025 season as she continues rehabbing an ACL tear she suffered overseas. That makes two players the Storm will have to suspend due to ACL injuries, the other being Jordan Horston.

In training camp, look for Seattle to target talented guards and shooters to complement their core four.

CAP SPACE $315,226

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Washington Mystics

The legend herself, Elena Delle Donne, has officially retired after an illustrious 10-season WNBA career. Drafted by the Sky in 2013, she later led the Mystics to their first championship in 2019. A two-time MVP (with two different teams!) and the only player in WNBA history with a 50-40-90 season, EDD leaves behind career averages of 19.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and a league-best 93.7% from the line. An Olympic gold medalist and all-time great, she’s not stepping too far away—she’ll stay on as a special advisor with Monumental Basketball, continuing to shape the future of the game.

With EDD in the war room, the Mystics had a really fun draft! They traded up and were able to pick up Sonia Cintron (#3), Kiki Iriafen (#4), and Georgia Amoore (#6). These are some great picks that will be fun to watch over the season, especially now that the Mystics are in complete rebuild mode. The bright side to a rebuild is that the Mystics have a lot of cap space to sign players and for the rooks to get real playing time.

CAP SPACE $841,790

Free Agency and Roster Updates

Hoops & Hype: Media Picks

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

Film Session: WBB Highlights & Insights 📽️

Booked & Busy: WBB Reads 👓

Drip Report 💧