WNBA 2025: Starters, Shuffles, and Some Shiny NFTs to Drool Over

Atlanta Dream: Big Dreams or Big Mess?

Projected Starters:

PG: Jordin Canada

SG: Allisha Gray

SF: Rhyne Howard

PF: Brionna Jones

C: Brittney Griner

Bench Vibes: Holly Winterburn (??), Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Haley Jones, Nia Coffey, Naz Hillmon

Okay, Atlanta’s out here playing Position Roulette. Jordin Canada’s the only true point guard, and Brittney Griner’s the lone center holding it down in the paint. Everyone else? Playing up a spot like it’s musical chairs. Holly Winterburn’s name is floating around, but let’s be real—her Oregon stats scream “bench warmer” more than “playmaker.” Only four of these gals (Canada, Griner, Coffey, Hillmon) are in their natural habitat, and that’s a red flag.

The Dream doubled down on their “go big or go home” strat, snagging Griner and Jones to beef up a core that’s got talent—Rhyne Howard’s a dawg, averaging 17.3 PPG last season—but hasn’t clicked yet. If GM Dan Padover’s just patching holes for 2025, cool. But if this is the long-term vision? Yikes. Especially since they hired Karl Smesko, a small-ball wizard. Someone’s gotta explain this to me like I’m five.

Chicago Sky: Vibes Up, Depth Down

Projected Starters:

PG: Courtney Vandersloot

SG: Ariel Atkins

SF: Rebecca Allen

PF: Angel Reese

C: Elizabeth Williams

Bench Vibes: Kia Nurse, Moriah Jefferson, Rachel Banham, Michaela Onyenwere, Kamilla Cardoso, Morgan Bertsch, Alex Wilson (probably won’t make the team)

Boom! This team was so thin they were one of two teams without a full depth chart (quiz time: who’s the other?). But they just added Olympian Gold Medalist and Two-Time All Star Ariel Atkins. She brings her 14.9 ppg and 3.1 assists per game, and she’ll unlock the promising potential of Reese and Cardoso.  Angel Reese (13.6 PPG, 13.1 RPG as a rookie) and Kamilla Cardoso are the future, and this lineup’s built to let them feast inside. But losing Chennedy Carter’s shot creation (17.2 PPG last year) stings, and new coach Tyler Marsh might mess up the spacing if he starts Onyenwere over Allen.

The vibes are better than 2024’s chaos, but the Sky traded their 2025 pick, so… oopsies. Progress, not perfection, right?

Connecticut Sun: Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out?

Projected Starters:

PG: Natasha Cloud

SG: Yvonne Anderson

SF: Diamond DeShields

PF: Tina Charles

C: Olivia Nelson-Ododa

Bench Vibes: Lindsay Allen, Jacy Sheldon, Leïla Lacan, Robyn Parks, (Nikolina Milić?)

This is grim, fam. The Sun need Nikolina Milić to sign her qualifying offer, or they’re rolling out Caitlin Bickle at backup five. Yikes. Natasha Cloud’s a stud (11.6 PPG, 6.1 APG career), and Tina Charles is eternal, but this roster’s screaming for help. Jacy Sheldon and Leïla Lacan could bring some rookie juice—start Lacan by May, please—but a Mabrey trade for Kalani Brown or Kayla Thornton might be their only hope. No 2025 pick either. Rough.

Dallas Wings: Arike’s Redemption Arc?

Projected Starters:

Bench Vibes: Maddy Siegrist, NaLyssa Smith, Joyner Holmes, Luisa Geiselsöder

Arike Ogunbowale (22.2 PPG last year) is the heartbeat, and arguable top 10 player of the league, but Tyasha Harris deserves a medal for surviving Dallas’ chaos. If Paige Bueckers or Olivia Miles declares, this squad gets spicy—imagine Bueckers dishing to Arike while Siegrist stretches the floor at the four. Without them? Still more fun than recent Wings teams, but sneaky lottery vibes linger.

NFT Spotlight: Ever wanted to own a 1 of 1? Arike’s Top Tier Legendary 1/1 (Card #5, /1) has an asking price of $350, and owner NASHMONEY has been known to strike a deal. Her scoring’s elite, and this card’s an absolute flex for Wings faithful.

Golden State Valkyries: New Kids, Big Dreams

Projected Starters:

PG: Julie Vanloo

SG: Tiffany Hayes

SF: Kayla Thornton

PF: Stephanie Talbot

C: Monique Billings

Bench Vibes: Veronica Burton, Kate Martin, Chloe Bibby, Janelle Salaün, (Temi Fagbenle?)

Expansion squad alert! Golden State’s got enough bodies, but half this roster’s questionable. Temi Fagbenle signing would slide her to the four, bumping Talbot to three. Iliana Rupert or Cecilia Zandalasini could juice it up too. Still, this team’s ceiling is like… five wins? Carla Leite, save us.

Indiana Fever: Caitlin’s Crew Levels Up

Projected Starters:

PG: Caitlin Clark

SG: Kelsey Mitchell

SF: DeWanna Bonner

PF: Natasha Howard

C: Aliyah Boston

Bench Vibes: Sydney Colson, Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, Katie Lou Samuelson, Damiris Dantas, Kristy Wallace (Sitting out for 2025)

Caitlin Clark (19.2 PPG, 8.4 APG as a rook) is that girl, and the Fever stacked the deck. Kelsey Mitchell’s a sniper (19.2 PPG), Aliyah Boston’s a beast (14.2 PPG, 8.9 RPG), and DeWanna Bonner’s a vet upgrade. Natasha Howard’s max deal is… puzzling—she’s not a shooter, and Clark thrives with spacing. If Lexie Hull keeps bombing threes (47.5% last year), this team’s scary. With all of this new talent, Katie Lou’s contract may be an issue. Jaelyn Brown while promising, may not make this team for cap and space reasons in order to add another big. It’s simply too loaded.  This roster is not yet complete though. This team has 1 Point Guard, 1.5 Power Forwards, 1.5 Centers and is absolutely loaded at wings, (6) for two spots and four players to cover the other 3 spots. 

NFT Spotlight: Caitlin Clark’s Tiger Eyes (Card #4, /25) is a hidden gem right now. While it won’t be part of the Lotus challenge, don’t be surprised if it’s value picks up big in the coming weeks leading up to the season. Snag a base, snag anything CC! Her rookie hype’s still buzzing.

Alright, fam, that’s the first half of the WNBA shuffle! Stay tuned for Part 2 where we hit Vegas, LA, and beyond. Which team’s your fave? Who’s your NFT must-have? Drop it in the comments—I’m tryna trade some Prizms Gold myself! Catch ya later!

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