Toronto’s guard-heavy roster gets the edge on a wild opening night in Canada, as the Tempo chase their first franchise win against a Mystics team with real strength in the paint.

This Aces team has a real case to be the greatest in WNBA history, yet they’re sitting as the third choice in the futures market. Built around A’ja Wilson’s leadership, elite star power, and improved depth, Las Vegas isn’t chasing regular-season dominance—they’re built to peak in the postseason, where this group could separate from the rest of the league.

Natasha Cloud should be on a WNBA roster, and if politics are part of the reason she is not, the league should be ashamed of itself. The WNBA has built its identity as a socially aware, player-driven league, and its fans are not going to quietly accept a Colin Kaepernick-style situation hanging over what should be its most exciting season yet.

The Dallas Wings look like the most improved team in the WNBA, with Azzi Fudd joining Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale to form what could become the league’s most dynamic backcourt. Add in frontcourt upgrades like Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, plus a potential breakout from Li Yueru, and Dallas suddenly looks like a real threat to finish in the top half of the league.

The 2023 Aces, before Candace Parker’s injury, were the most talented WNBA team I had ever seen — and this Las Vegas roster may be even better. With A’ja Wilson still in her prime and an even deeper, more explosive core around her, the Aces look like a futures buy with historic upside.

The WNBA’s accelerated free agency and draft created one of the most chaotic roster-building stretches any league has seen, and when it ended, three teams stood above the rest: the Las Vegas Aces, New York Liberty, and Dallas Wings. Las Vegas and New York look like reloaded super-teams, while Dallas may have set itself up as the league’s most improved and most exciting rising power.

Angel Reese to Atlanta already feels like the kind of move that could elevate both the player and the franchise. If the Dream are built around Reese, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard, that is an elite big three with the talent and presence to contend for a title.

South Carolina has all the momentum and the coaching résumé edge with Dawn Staley, but UCLA looks like the more complete team heading into the title game. The Bruins’ senior leadership, patience, and shot-making give them a real chance to withstand the pressure and find a way late.

Tilman Fertitta buying the Connecticut Sun for $300 million and planning a move to Houston is another clear sign that the WNBA is thriving, not struggling. Part of me hoped the team would land in Boston, but no matter what, getting the franchise out of Uncasville and into a bigger market is good for the league’s future.