Aces expected to dominate in 2026 per pre-season GM survey

The survey asked the 15 general managers to assess the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves, and many other topics ahead of the opening of the league’s 30th season later this week. The Aces received their flowers across the 42 questions, largely thanks to having won their third championship in the last four years last fall. Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson was voted the most likely to win the award for the fifth time this year, with 60 percent of GMs voting for her to extend her WNBA record.

Wilson ranked above two-time MVP Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever), and Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream). Wilson — who last year became the first ever player to win MVP, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and a WNBA championship in the same season — was also named the league’s best leader, interior defender, overall defensive player, and the player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments. Wilson received over 60 percent of the votes in all but one category.

Additionally, Wilson shared the top spot with Aces’ floor general Chelsea Gray as the player the general managers would trust most to take a game-winning shot. Gray, too, was a popular choice amongst the GMs. She was named the league’s best point guard, best passer, the player with the best basketball IQ, and the active player who will make the best head coach someday.

As a unit, the Aces received 40 percent of the votes as the team most likely to repeat and win the WNBA championship. Should the Aces accomplish that feat, they would become the first team in WNBA history to win back-to-back titles on two separate occasions. The teams also expected by the general managers to contend were paid proper respects as well.