The WNBA's 25th anniversary season opens Friday with four games. Are the Seattle Storm the favorite to repeat and win the 2021 title? Will the Las Vegas Aces break through for their first championship? Or will a former dynasty return to the top? A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are again the front-runners for league MVP, but they have company in the race. At least, that's what our panel predicts.
ESPN analysts Rebecca Lobo and LaChina Robinson, play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco, ESPN writers Katie Barnes, Kevin Pelton and Mechelle Voepel, and The Undefeated's Sean Hurd make their preseason picks for how the season will unfold.
Which player is your preseason pick for MVP?
Katie Barnes: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Sean Hurd: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Rebecca Lobo: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Kevin Pelton: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
LaChina Robinson: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Ryan Ruocco: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Mechelle Voepel: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Who is your pick for preseason Rookie of the Year?
Barnes: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun
Hurd: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun
Lobo: Jasmine Walker, Los Angeles Sparks
Pelton: Charli Collier, Dallas Wings
Robinson: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun
Ruocco: DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun
Voepel: Charli Collier, Dallas Wings
Who is your preseason Defensive Player of the Year?
Barnes: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Hurd: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Lobo: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Pelton: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Robinson: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Ruocco: Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
Voepel: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Which five players will make the All-WNBA First Team
Listed in positional order. One center, two forwards and two guards:
Barnes: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Hurd: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Lobo: Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Pelton: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Robinson: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics; Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury; Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky
Ruocco: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
Voepel: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Liz Cambage, Las Vegas Aces; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Which teams will meet in the WNBA Finals?
Barnes: Chicago Sky vs. Las Vegas Aces
Hurd: Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynx
Pelton: Las Vegas Aces vs. Minnesota Lynx
Robinson: Las Vegas Aces vs. Washington Mystics
Ruocco: Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm
Voepel: Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury
Which team will win the 2021 WNBA title?
Barnes: Las Vegas Aces
Hurd: Las Vegas Aces
Pelton: Minnesota Lynx
Robinson: Las Vegas Aces
Ruocco: Seattle Storm
Voepel: Las Vegas Aces