A new year is nearly upon us, and with that comes a new WNBA season. At long last, fans will get to see the Golden State Valkyries hit the court, and the Chase Center will never be the same.
The weeks between January 1 and the team's first game on May 16 are packed with a lot of excitement: WNBA free agency begins Jan. 11, and the draft will take place a few months later. The Valkyries currently have the 5th, 17th, and 30th picks in the draft, which could mean they land quite a few exciting post-NCAA prospects.
It wouldn't be a new year if we weren't prepared to make a few predictions about what 2025 will bring to the WNBA and the Valkyries specifically. Without further ado, here are five predictions for what next year will mean for the league.
The Valkyries will make the playoffs
Sure, it's not always easy for a new team to have a solid season, let alone make it to the playoffs, but the Valkyries have made it clear they're hitting the ground running, and success is the only option. Owner Joe Lacob loves winning like most of us love breathing oxygen, and there is no doubt he will do whatever it takes to help Coach Nakase and the team dominate.
It definitely feels like Nakase is up to the challenge. She's repeatedly told reporters that her athletes need to "be competitive" and "need to play like their lives depend on it." The front office culture appears to be one of hard work and determination, two traits that are foundational to any team that wants to be excellent.
The Fever will also make the playoffs
Naysay if you will, but there's a lot of reason to believe the Indiana Fever are going to do everything they can to go as far as possible in 2025. Caitlin Clark will return for her sophomore season alongside Aliyah Boston and under the wing of Coach Stephanie White, the former head of the Connecticut Sun.
The team is already poised to have another dominant year in terms of ratings and attendance, and there are rumors the Fever will be marketed as "America's Team" overseas. That kind of energy will undoubtedly encourage the team and likely carry them very, very far.
Diana Taurasi isn't finished — yet
There was a lot of chatter on social media that indicated veteran superstar Diana Taurasi might have retired in 2024 (and the Phoenix Mercury egged on that chatter on their own platforms), but I have a sneaking suspicion that we can't count her out yet — and no one should want to. Taurasi loves to play the game and has made no indication that she doesn't have more to give.
The draft predictions won't pan out in real life
WNBA draft predictions are baked into the NCAAW season, and they're always a lot of fun for fans and players alike. While it's generally accepted that Paige Bueckers will be the first overall pick, nothing is set in stone — and there's no guarantee that all of the athletes consistently predicted to be drafted in the top 10 will even choose to go pro at all next year.
The Lynx will win the Finals
A Liberty-Lynx rematch isn't remotely outside the realm of possibility even this far from the beginning of next season, but no matter who they go up against next year, the Lynx are taking home the ring. The team got way too close this year and they're going to be the hungriest for it. MVPhee has a nice ring to it, too, don't you think?