Hidden Contenders and Shocking Surprises: Who Will Dominate the 2025 WNBA Season?

There’s something striking about Napheesa Collier’s approach to the game — a quiet insistence that the broader triumph always trumps personal glory. The Minnesota Lynx forward, a four-time WNBA All-Star and last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, recently sat down with the media and laid it out plainly: her sights are set on lifting her team, not just stacking up hardware. She knows, maybe better than most, that individual accolades have little meaning without a winning squad behind them. “If the team’s not clicking, the awards don’t come,” Collier said — and she means it.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Despite the downplay of individual honors, as the 2025 WNBA season tips off Friday, eyes are inevitably drawn to who will snag the biggest honors — MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year — you name it. Seven teams have fresh head coaches, whole front offices have rejigged rosters, and there’s no shortage of intrigue about who’s about to rise and who might be overlooked. So, let’s flip the narrative for a moment and dig into the players, coaches, and executives who could hoist those trophies this year — the clear frontrunners and the sleeper picks alike. It’s going to be a fascinating ride.

LEARN MORECheck out Rotoworld’s newly-launched WNBA Player News section, the best place to keep up to date with transactions, injuries, and game results around the W this season!But just because a team looks good theoretically doesn’t mean they live up to expectations. If the Fever become a top-four playoff seed in 2025, then yes this is a no-brainer. But if Indiana finishes only a bit better than last year, Cox winning this award looks more questionable.Advertisement

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If the Mercury’s new big three in Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper somehow works very quickly and their lack of reliable depth isn’t a problem, then sure U’ren could be in the running for this. Getting projected starter and All-Rookie team candidate Monique Akoa-Makani to come over is also worth recognition.
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