We’re lower than two full weeks into the 2025 WNBA season, and already issues are taking form.
The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, final season’s finalists, are a mixed 9-0. Different contenders are doubtlessly rising, whereas others are dealing with challenges.
Some groups are thriving with their new rosters, whereas others are struggling to place the items collectively.
Solely about 10 % of the WNBA common season has been accomplished, however that looks as if a great time to look again on the offseason and which strikes have paid off essentially the most, no less than to this point.
Listed here are 4 which have paid off instantly.
Liberty’s commerce for Natasha Cloud
New York traded the seventh total choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft for Natasha Cloud, and to this point, it has been among the many finest strikes of the offseason.
Cloud’s elite defensive capability was on show within the Liberty’s win over the Fever. In 4 video games this season, her defensive score is 0.9. That is by far the most effective mark of her profession.
It is going to be laborious to maintain that up for a full season, however she’s an enormous cause why the Liberty are 4-0.
Past her protection, Cloud is averaging profession highs in factors (15.3), steals (2.3) and blocks (1.0) amongst different classes, plus she has an efficient field-goal proportion of 57.8.
The pattern measurement is small. But, there isn’t any denying that Cloud has made an enormous impression.
Sparks commerce for Kelsey Plum
Los Angeles is simply 2-4 to this point this season, however that does not imply that Kelsey Plum hasn’t been extraordinary.
By six video games, Plum has performed like an MVP candidate. She’s second within the WNBA in scoring (25.2 ppg) and is capturing 44 % from the sphere, in addition to 43.4 % from 3-point vary.
Plum is averaging 3.8 3-pointers per sport, and along with her on the roster, the Sparks is usually a playoff crew in 2025. They are going to be particularly formidable long-term with Plum and 2024 No. 2 total choose Cameron Brink, each time she’s again to one hundred pc.
Indiana upgraded its protection
The Fever must survive with out Caitlin Clark for a few weeks, attributable to a quad harm announced by the team, however that should not be an enormous concern.
Even when they fall beneath .500, there will probably be time to make up for it. Probably the most encouraging factor for Indiana, exterior of the event of Clark and Aliyah Boston, has been the defensive impression of newcomers DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard and Sydney Colson.
The Fever will at all times have an elite offense with Clark. She nonetheless wants to chop again on the turnovers, however Indiana is ranked third in crew defensive score in comparison with eleventh final season.
If Indiana can maintain that up, it will likely be a bona fide title contender this fall.
Phoenix Mercury reload
The Phoenix Mercury made the WNBA playoffs final season, nonetheless, it was clear they wanted to re-tool.
To date, they’ve exceeded expectations partly due to their commerce for former No. 2 total choose Satou Sabally.
The 6-foot-4 ahead is sixth within the WNBA in scoring (19.8 ppg). She hasn’t even shot the ball effectively from the perimeter, however has been lights out on protection with a defensive score of 0.91, not far behind Cloud’s.
The All-WNBA choice in 2023 has performed just like the building-block Phoenix wanted her to be. But, the Mercury are additionally 4-2 and appear like a crew headed for the postseason as soon as once more.
