WNBA training camp questions: Projected lineups, team stats

ByESPN, ESPN

Monday, April 28, 2025 3:22PM

The 2025 WNBA season is officially upon us. Training camps open across the league Sunday and preseason games tip off May 2.

It's a quick turnaround for rookies like Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in this month's draft who helped UConn win the NCAA title three weeks ago. But it also marks a highly anticipated return for the WNBA on the heels of an eventful offseason featuring a slew of new head coaching hires, the formation of the league's latest expansion team and a host of players joining new teams in free agency.

The next few weeks will give us our first glance at how all those moves are panning out before things start to count for real when the regular season opens May 16. Between now and then, teams will cut down their rosters to 11 or 12 players; they are allowed to have 18 actively participating players at any given time during camp.

ESPN takes a look at the biggest questions facing each of the 13 WNBA teams heading into training camp.

Jump to: ATL | CHI | CON | DAL | GS |br/>IND | LV | LA | MIN | NY | PHO | SEA | WAS

Atlanta Dream

How will the Dream play under new coach Karl Smesko? Coach Tanisha Wright was fired despite making the playoffs the past two seasons. The Dream went to the college ranks for her replacement: Smesko was successful with his emphasis on 3-point shooting in 22 seasons at Florida Gulf Coast. The Dream also brought in two elite post players in Griner (17.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG) and Jones (13.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG). How will Smesko use that kind of talent? Probably very well: Atlanta was last in the league in scoring average (77 PPG) and field goal percentage (40.8) last season, which Smesko should be able to help the Dream improve. -- Michael Voepel