The 2026 WNBA season ended in dramatic fashion when the Golden State Valkyries pulled off a second-half comeback to defeat the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 of the Finals and clinch the first title in franchise history. Now, we'll have to wait six months for another WNBA game. A lot will change before opening night of the 2027 WNBA season, but it's never too early to start looking ahead.
Here are CBS Sports' way-too-early 2027 WNBA Power Rankings: The Valkyries defied expectations to win their first championship in their second season and became the fastest new franchise to win a title in major North American professional sports history. They did so with one of the best defenses of all time and an incredibly strong culture, and could be even better in 2027. Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes are their only unrestricted free agents, Iliana Rupert will be back from maternity leave and they're expected to use their cap space to sign a max player to boost their offense, which was a major issue at times this season.
The Dream came as close as you can possibly come to winning a title without actually lifting the trophy, and are now 0-4 in the Finals all time, which is tied with the now-defunct Connecticut Sun for the worst record in Finals appearances. The good news in Atlanta is they should be right back in the mix next season. Angel Reese is confident they will be.
Aside from DeWanna Bonner, who may end up retiring, every member of their rotation is under contract through at least 2027, and Brionna Jones will be back after missing most of this season due to injuries. The Mystics surged to their first playoff appearance since 2023 by going 14-4 after the All-Star break, tied with the Dream for the best record in that span. Despite a first-round exit against the Dream, the Mystics are set up extremely well for the future.
They have an elite defense, made major strides on the offensive end down the stretch and have the youngest roster in the league. Plus, they'll add a lottery pick courtesy of the Chicago Sky that could be No. 1 overall, and late-season addition Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is their only free agent. The Liberty have not been able to stay healthy since they won the title in 2024, and it's fair to wonder if it's time to shake up the core of Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu after an eighth-place finish and another early playoff exit.
All three of them are signed through 2028, though, while Satou Sabally and Leonie Fiebich are also under contract for 2027. As a result, the Liberty enter the offseason with a level of stability that some other potential contenders cannot match -- at least on the court. The Liberty will be on the search for a third coach in as many years after firing Chris DeMarco on Tuesday.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
