Las Vegas is the top team on the DraftKings WNBA Futures Board, and the top five WNBA contenders on the bookies’ board are as follows.
- Las Vegas Aces (+100)
- New York Liberty (+160)
- Connecticut Sun (+1300)
- Washington Mystics (+1500)
- Chicago Sky (+4000)
The Aces are the clear favorites, led by a star-studded roster that includes A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Candace Parker, and Kelsey Plum. The Liberty is also a strong contender, with Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Courtney Vandersloot leading the way. The Sun, Mystics, and Sky can win the title, but they will need to stay healthy and play their best basketball down the stretch.
Here is a closer look at the top five teams in the WNBA championship odds:
Las Vegas Aces
The Aces are the defending WNBA champions, are off to an 8-1 start, and are the favorites to win it all again in 2023. They have a deep and balanced roster, with many players who can score in various ways. Wilson is the team’s leading scorer, but Young and Plum can also make big numbers. The Ace’s defense is their Achilles Heel, but they get stops when needed, lead the WNBA in blocked shots, and score buckets down the stretch when needed.
New York Liberty
The Liberty have rolled out to a 6-3 start and have the weapons to be a potential contender for the WNBA title. They have a veteran-laden roster led by Stewart, Ionescu, and Vandersloot. Stewart is one of the best players in the WNBA, averaging 23.4 points and 10.4 caroms with nearly four dimes. Ionescu is one of the young stars in the league, and Vandersloot is a savvy veteran playmaker. New York plays decent defense, and if these ladies can stay healthy, they have a team that can win a championship.
Connecticut Sun
The Sun is a surprise contender this season, leading the Eastern Conference with an 8-2 mark. The ladies are getting the job done on the defensive end of the court and have the second-highest points differential in the league. DeWanna Bonner leads the Sun in scoring, Alyssa Thomas tops the team in rebounds and assists with Tiffany Hayes knocking down 40% from beyond the arc. Connecticut has average stats compared to the rest of the league, and we’ll see if they can continue their dominance of the Eastern Conference.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics are 5-4 to start the season, and they are the best defensive defenders inside and outside the arc. The Lady Mystics are also the lowest-scoring team in the league. MVP candidate Elena Delle Donne has missed just one contest, leading Washington in scoring and blocks. Shakira Austin leads the Mystics in rebounds, and Natasha Cloud leads the squad in assists. The Mystics will go only as far as Delle Donne can take them but look out if the offense ever catches up with their defense.
Chicago Sky
The Sky won the 2021 WNBA championship and is still a contender in 2023. They have a balanced roster with several players who can score and defend. Kahleah Copper leads the Sky in scoring and can score from anywhere. Courtney Williams leads the team in caroms and dimes and is a tough defender. Rebekah Gardner breaking her foot with no timetable for return hurt the offense, but Marina Mabrey and Alanna Smith have been solid scorers. The Sky play average defense and will need to work harder on that end of the floor to win a WNBA championship.
WNBA Championship Odds Summary
We are 25% into the season, and Las Vegas looks like they will repeat as champions. Head Coach Becky Hammon’s squad has the star power and the depth to repeat, and even money is probably the best price you’ll get for this WNBA Championship future.
The Liberty +160 is an interesting proposition. They’ve played well, and Stewart looks virtually unstoppable. Ionescu has had to take a back seat behind Stewart and Vandersloot, but if they can figure out their chemistry and have health, they could win a championship.
Connecticut has surprised most, but last season’s runner-up to Las Vegas has a talented defensive team that sometimes has difficulty scoring the basketball and is the worst free-throw shooting side in the league. +1300 is not a price I would be willing to pay for the Sun.
Washington could be a good bet, but Delle Donne has already missed one game, and if she misses significant time, the Mystics are toast, and Chicago without Gardner is a hard pass for me.
