WNBA General Managers Shift Franchise Valuation to Paige Bueckers Amidst Caitlin Clark's Injury-Plagued Campaign
The annual survey reveals a decisive move away from the Indiana Fever star, while A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces retain their status as the league's premier assets.
Ahead of the 2026 WNBA season, league general managers have formally voted for Paige Bueckers as the preferred player to start a franchise, marking a significant departure from the previous year's consensus. In the annual survey released by the league, Bueckers secured 33 per cent of the vote, surpassing Caitlin Clark who received 20 per cent. This outcome reflects a recalibration of franchise value driven by on-court availability rather than pure talent assessment.
The decline in support for Clark is directly attributed to an injury-plagued 2025 season where she played only 13 games due to lower-body ailments. Her selection as the preferred cornerstone player has effectively halved from 50 per cent in the prior year's survey. While the survey suggests her talent remains intact, the institutional preference has shifted to players who can demonstrate consistent output, with Bueckers recognised as one of the league's best players following her rookie campaign with the Dallas Wings.
At the centre of this institutional confidence is A'ja Wilson, who was identified by the majority of executives as the best player in the league. Wilson received 60 per cent of the votes for MVP and was voted the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments. Her dominance extends across positions, with 47 per cent of GMs naming her the best forward and 57 per cent selecting her as the best centre, highlighting her versatility as a cornerstone asset.
Consequently, the Las Vegas Aces are the top pick to win the 2026 title. The team has bolstered its core by re-signing Wilson alongside Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd, while also adding Chennedy Carter. Despite the Aces finishing the previous season with a historic winning streak, the survey predicts they will consolidate their position as the league's most consistent contenders for the championship.
The survey also highlighted a notable lack of confidence in the 2026 draft class regarding long-term upside. Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, received zero votes for being the best player in her class five years from now. Instead, Awa Fam, a 19-year-old Spanish centre, was viewed by the general managers as having the most potential to become an elite player in the future.
In other significant roster movements, the Chicago Sky traded All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. While GMs expect Reese to improve the Dream's regular-season performance, the survey indicates doubt that she will solve their chronic playoff shooting issues, which previously saw them knocked out in the first round.
