WNBA Award Predictions for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Championship, and more

The highly anticipated 2025 WNBA season begins today, with Paige Bueckers slated to make her professional debut, the Golden State Valkyries ready to host their first-ever regular season game, and more.

The season, which begins on May 16 and runs through September 14, already features countless intriguing storylines. Can the Minnesota Lynx get redemption after last year’s heartbreaking Finals defeat? Will the new-look Indiana Fever contend heading into Caitlin Clark’s sophomore season? Can the New York Liberty go back-to-back? How will A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces respond to last year’s elimination? How will Kelsey Plum adjust to a new environment in Los Angeles? The list goes on and on.

SB Nation has submitted preseason predictions for who will win MVP, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, and, ultimately, the WNBA championship.

MVP Prediction: Napheesa Collier

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Napheesa Collier was one of the top players in the league last season. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year averaged 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game en route to her first career finals appearance last year. And though the Lynx ultimately came up short in overtime of the deciding Game 5, Collier was the best player in the series against the Liberty. She followed that up with a spectacular Unrivaled season in which she averaged 25.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. While other contenders loaded up on star talent, the Lynx are mostly running it back with the same core. That could further bolster Collier’s case for a career-first MVP if she’s able to replicate, or build upon, last year’s production.

Other potential picks: A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)

Rookie of the Year Prediction: Paige Bueckers

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images

Paige Bueckers seems like an inevitable Rookie of the Year selection, though anything can happen. The former UConn star, and no-brainer No. 1 pick, joins a Dallas Wings team that is fresh off a disappointing season and will join forces with Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, and Maddy Siegrist, among others.

Bueckers was one of college basketball’s most efficient players, which bodes well for her WNBA transition. And, while she’ll be surrounded by other talent, she’s poised to have a massive

Other potential picks: Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm), Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics)

Coach of the Year: Stephanie White

Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images

It’s hard to forecast Coach of the Year in advance, but Stephanie White seems like a great projection. White is heading into a great situation with a revamped Fever roster that has all the necessary components to contend. It’s almost inevitable they will far exceed their .500 record. White was named Coach of the Year in 2023 and is widely considered one of the best coaches in the game.

Other potential picks: Tyler Marsh (Chicago Sky), Karl Smesko (Atlanta Dream)

Championship Prediction: Indiana Fever

The New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx should be the frontrunners to win the 2025 WNBA Championships. Both 2024 Finals teams are proven and running it back with largely the same talent. The Liberty added Marine Johannes and Natasha Cloud, but lost Courtney Vandersloot (free agency) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (injury). The Lynx lost Cecilia Zandalasini (expansion draft), but largely have the same rotation.

And the Las Vegas Aces would be a worthwhile pick, too. The Aces have won two of the last three WNBA championships, Chelsea Gray is healthy and fresh off a dominant Unrivaled season, and regardless of the roster changes, Las Vegas has three-time MVP A’ja Wilson.

But, at least on paper, the Indiana Fever makes a case for the most complete team. They have one of, if not the, best guards in the game in Caitlin Clark. Kelsey Mitchell is fresh off of the best season of her career. Aliyah Boston is a two-time All-Star center. And, Indiana added DeWanna Bonner, Sophie Cunningham, and Natasha Howard in the offseason, further bolstering their depth at all positions.

It will take time to see how all the pieces come together, but under Stephanie White’s leadership, the Fever appear poised to contend now.

Other picks: New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, Las Vegas Aces