Grading 2025 WNBA Rosters pre-training camp
- Karli Bell
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
WNBA rosters are now fully loaded after the WNBA Draft and extra training camp contract signings of undrafted rookies. While grading the draft picks is fun, let's take a look at what the rosters of all 13 teams look like before cuts are made in just a couple weeks.
As a refresher: WNBA training camps start on April 27 with the regular season starting on May 16. Teams can bring in around 18-20 players for training camp but only have a minimum of 11 and max of 12 roster spots for the start of the regular season. The final roster must be submitted by May 15.
When looking at the rosters, boldened names are the 2025 draft picks.
Atlanta Dream: B-
8 on contract, 5 training camp contracts, 2 draft picks
The Atlanta Dream are in a very interesting position. They have some winning, veteran presence in Brionna Jones, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, Jordin Canada and Nia Coffey. Outside of that, this team is in somewhat of a 're-tooling' season. With this season being way different than years past with CBA negotions happening at the end of the 2025 season, this is a roster that new head coach Karl Smesko can have some fun with come the start of the season.
Yes, they have some depth at guard and wing, but there's a lot of pressure on the two bigs in Jones and Griner with a lack of options to play behind them. This team has the ability to be a fun group to watch, but depth can become an issue as the season progresses, especially with Griner entering her 12th season. If the Dream can stay healthy, they can play upset and steal some games away from teams they shouldn't beat on paper.
Chicago Sky: B+
10 on contract, 6 training camp contracts, 4 draft picks
One of the biggest winners in the WNBA Draft was the Chicago Sky. Adding Hailey Van Lith was the biggest steal of the draft with her falling to No. 11. With this roster, new head coach Tyler Marsh saved himself and his coaching staff weeks of time. Van Lith already has chemistry with forward Angel Reese and has plenty of experience of learning new systems pretty quickly. She also has the ability to learn behind one of the best floor generals in Courtney Vandersloot.
Outside of that, the Sky added much needed depth that they really lacked in 2024. The issue though? There's only 2 open roster spots with 10 people fighting for those two spots. While Van Lith will more than likely make the team, nothing is guaranteed. Training camp will be incredibly important for the Sky to see how their final roster will be come May 16. This could be a very sneaky, lethal roster depending on what the final decisions will be.
Connecticut Sun: C
7 on contract, 10 training camp contracts, 3 draft picks
The Connecticut Sun are a wild conglomeration of players with a heavy international influence, which aligns with the history of new head coach Rachid Meziane. With only 7 players on contract, there's a lot more wiggle room for roster construction than other teams. With more open spots, I see all three draft picks making the final roster.
Outside of that, the wing/utility position provides a bit of an issue. Outside of Saniya Rivers, they have no one else on a guaranteed contract. They could go a number of ways with who they have invited into training camp. With Meziane having more of a shooting focus, I could see Robyn Parks or Caitlin Bickle making the final roster. This is another team going through a 're-tool' with a new head coach so development of those draft picks will be the key focus of the franchise moving forward.
Dallas Wings: A-
7 on contract, 6 training camp contracts, 5 draft picks
The Dallas Wings were one of if not the biggest winner of the WNBA Draft. After the selction of Paige Bueckers, it was all uphill from there in who they selected. They added crucial depth not just for 2025 but also looking forward to 2026 and beyond.
This is a Wings team that can absolutely make a huge run - possibly all the way to the finals - if they can stay healthy. This is a roster filled with winning, veteran experience at almost every position with depth across the board. New head coach Chris Kolcanes has the right roster; it all depends on what his system will be and how he sees his pieces fitting. There's a very high chance all 5 draft picks make the roster, depending on his system.
Golden State Valkyries: C
8 on contract, 7 training camp contracts, 3 draft picks
An expansion team is hard to evaluate; it's a brand new roster with a new head coach with no real knowledge or even video to show how this team works together. Natalie Nakase coming from the Becky Hammon camp is a good sign in the player development aspect.
Outside of that, this team is similar to Connecticut: a heavy international focus with some big names. Julie Vanloo will provide that spark offensively and having Temi Fagbenle inside gives the new team some much needed size inside. This will be a fun year for the Valkyries that will give fans a glimpse into what a Nakase system will be once she's able to have players for more than a season.
Indiana Fever: A
10 on contract, 2 training camp contracts, 3 draft picks
The Indiana Fever won the offseason for sure. They added some huge names - especially DeWanna Bonner - in free agency and found a way to keep Kelsey Mitchell from leaving in free agency. With Stephanie White back in Indy, this is a team that is a very early favorite to win the WNBA Championship - provided they stay healthy.
When it comes to the draft selections, they added great depth behind Bonner in Makayla Timpson and Yvonne Ejim. While I don't see Bree Hall making this year's roster due to the lack of available roster spots, she is someone that could have a lot of fun with Caitlin Clark in the future. This is a team that will make a lot of noise this season and make a huge run for a title.
Las Vegas Aces: B-
9 on contract, 7 training camp contracts, 2 draft picks
Now the Aces have a good combination of returning players paired with some great additions in free agency, like Jewell Loyd. From a guard standpoint, this team is set across the board, including with draft pick Harmoni Turner if she does make the roster.
That forward position is where training camp will be vital. With Cheyenne Parker-Tyus announcing her pregnancy, the depth at that position got even smaller which gives Aaliyah Nye a good chance at making the 2025 roster. While this Aces team won't be as dominant as we've seen the last couple seasons, they will still be a force; when you have A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Loyd, you can't sleep on them entirely.
Los Angeles Sparks: B
9 on contract, 6 training camp contracts, 3 draft picks
Los Angeles is a team that also won the draft, especially with the selection of Sarah Ashlee Barker. Adding more depth with Sania Feagin and Liatu King was a great move for not only 2025 but also for what the team could look like in 2026.
Cameron Brink is returning from her knee injury, and Rickea Jackson is coming off a stellar rookie season. Dearica Hamby also put up unbelievable, powerful numbers in 2024 so the Sparks are in a real good position, especially after acquiring Kelsey Plum in free agency. This is a top 5 team this season if they can stay healthy.
Minnesota Lynx: A
11 on contract, 6 training camp contracts, 3 draft picks
The 2025 Minnesota Lynx are just looking to run it all the way back this year. That championship loss put a sour taste in their mouth, and with a majority of last season's team returning, they want to head back to the WNBA Finals.
While I don't see them adding anyone off training camp rosters or even their draft picks, they could fill that last spot to just add some depth at the forward position. I very much see this team being incredibly dominant all season long with Cheryl Reeve itching to hang another banner in Minneapolis.
New York Liberty: A
8 on contract, 9 training camp contracts, 1 draft pick
The 2024 WNBA Champions are in the same boat as the Lynx: run it back. While they did lose Kayla Thornton, Sandy Brondello has enough depth that was acquired in free agency to make anything work. Getting Natasha Cloud in March was a huge acquisition for their guard group.
They still have their bigs in Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart and Nyara Sabally. Add in Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich, this is a team that will easily make a deep run if the team can stay healthy. While I don't see their lone draft pick making the team, they will easily add the depth needed through the training camp contracts. A repeat is very much a possibility for New York.
Phoenix Mercury: C+
6 on contract, 14 training camp contracts, 0 draft picks
Phoenix did not have a single draft pick in 2025, meaning all their depth will come from training camp contracts. They did acquire Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally in free agency, adding even more shooting along with length to their veteran-laiden team.
The depth of this team is a huge question mark. Nate Tibbetts can go a variety of ways but not having a floor general after having Diana Taurasi is the biggest scare. Who will lead the offense for the Mercury? Could it be Celeste Taylor or Lexi Held? Or will Shyla Heal take the reigns? Whoever Tibbetts picks as his point guard will determine what this team can do. Until then, this is a middle-of-the-pack team that doesn't have a full identity. Training camp will be incredibly important in the desert.
Seattle Storm: B-
7 on contract, 5 training camp contracts, 4 draft picks
Seattle took two huge losses with both Jordon Horston and Nika Mühl being out for the season with ACL tears. They made up for those in the draft with Serena Sundell and the French phenom in Dominique Malonga. They added some names in free agency with the biggest being the retainment of Nneka Ogwumike. Alysha Clark will also play a pivotal role for the Storm this season.
The 4-5 other roster spots are up for grabs, and head coach Noelle Quinn can really go a number of ways. While I do see all four draft picks making the roster, there's a chance that Madison Conner or Jordan Hobbs may not see a WNBA floor come the regular season. Quinn's system has shown that having depth at shooters is key, so training camp will be a big factor in who makes at least two roster spots.
Washington Mystics: C+
6 on contract, 6 training camp contracts, 5 draft picks
To wrap things out is the rebuilding Washington Mystics. They cleaned house in the front office and the coaching staff for 2025 and immediately hit the 2025 WNBA Draft as their starting point in the rebuild with their five draft picks. They knocked it out of the park with their draft selections, especially those three first rounders in Citron, Amoore and Iriafen.
New head coach Sydney Johnson is a more defensive minded individual so there is a chance that Green and Olsen don't make the 2025 roster with who they've invited in on training camp contracts. They have plenty of length that will be disruptive. While I don't see the Mystics making the playoffs, this will be a huge season of player development for not only the rookies but also Aaliyah Edwards. She will have exponential growth this season.