WNBA 2026: Analysts Back Caitlin Clark for MVP as Seattle Storm Rebuild

The 2026 WNBA season is scheduled to begin on Friday, prompting sportsbooks to release updated futures markets ahead of the opening weekend. Yahoo Sports analysts have identified three primary wagers for the upcoming campaign, with Caitlin Clark emerging as the favourite to claim the Most Valuable Player award at odds of +225. The New York Liberty are simultaneously tipped as the champions at +200, reflecting a shift in focus toward team performance and individual accolades as the league prepares for a new chapter.

Clark is currently positioned as the primary candidate for the MVP trophy, a stance analysts attribute to a perceived weakening of the competition pool relative to previous seasons. Her main rivals, including A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Alyssa Thomas, are expected to face challenges following poor team performances during the offseason. Clark, who was the favourite before sustaining an injury last season and finished in the top three during her rookie campaign, is reportedly healthy and has indicated she will manage her workload to ensure readiness for the full 44-game schedule.

While Clark leads the individual awards race, the Valkyries are projected to have the strongest home-court advantage in the league due to league-best attendance and sold-out games. In their second season as a franchise, the team retains a strong defensive identity and has bolstered their roster with versatile defender Gabby Williams. Analysts suggest that under the guidance of coach Natalie Nakase, the Valkyries could push for 30 wins, making a playoff berth a likely outcome barring injury.

Conversely, the Seattle Storm have undergone a significant roster overhaul, trading three All-Stars and dismissing coach Noelle Quinn. The team has moved on from key figures including Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogumwike, and Gabby Williams, while also losing high-volume scorer Brittney Sykes to the Toronto Tempo. This restructuring places rookie Jordin Johnson at the centre of their rebuilding efforts, with expectations that she will see heavy usage as the primary scorer for the squad.

The draft class also saw notable movement, with top picks Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles joining the Dallas Wings and Minnesota Lynx respectively to fill immediate roles. Fudd is expected to operate as a shooter and efficiency player alongside Paige Bueckers, while Miles will serve as an understudy to Courtney Williams and Napheesa Collier. These acquisitions suggest a focus on stability for Dallas and Minnesota, contrasting with the Storm's aggressive rebuild.

Beyond the MVP and championship markets, analysts are also looking at win totals as a viable futures market. The Valkyries are projected to finish with at least 22.5 wins, a target that requires them to exceed a .500 record to secure a playoff spot. This assessment is grounded in the team's defensive capabilities from the previous year and the strength of their home crowd, which mirrors the atmosphere of Golden State Warriors games.

As the season approaches, the focus remains on how these roster changes and market projections will play out on the court. The combination of a healthy Clark, a struggling Storm, and a well-supported Valkyries sets the stage for a compelling start to the 2026 WNBA season.