WNBA GM survey picks Bueckers as player to launch a franchise

dallas wings guard Paige Bueckers The player who received the most votes was the player WNBA general managers would choose if they were starting a franchise today, the league’s GM poll revealed Tuesday. Before last season, this nod was given to the Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark That was when she was coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign, as Bueckers is now.

Las Vegas Aces‘ Aja Wilson and Clarke was second with 20% of the vote to Bueckers’s 33%. Wilson is 29 years old; Bueckers and Clarke are 24. Clark was limited to 13 games last season due to injuries.

Wilson, who won her fourth MVP last season, was the most admired player overall in this year’s poll, receiving the highest percentage of votes (60%) as the favorite to win the 2026 MVP. MVP twice after that Breanna Stewart of new york liberty (27%), then Clark and atlanta dream‘S alisha gray Each with 7%.

Wilson was also selected as the league’s top defender (53%), the player who forces other teams to make the most adjustments (60%), and the best leader (79%).

The Wilson Aces, the 2025 WNBA champions, received 40% of the votes as the team most likely to win the title in 2026, followed by the New York Liberty (33%) and Atlanta Dream (27%). GMs, who were asked 42 questions, could not vote for their own team or personnel. Percentages were based on the group of respondents for each question. Wilson’s Aces teammates chelsea gray This was also mentioned repeatedly in the survey. He received the most votes as the player most reliable at taking winning shots (36%), best point guard (73%), best passer (93%), best basketball IQ (93%) and active player who could someday become the best head coach (50%).

minnesota lynxCheryl Reeves received 53% of the vote, besting Las Vegas’ Becky Hammon (40%) as the league’s best head coach.

minnesota guard olivia milesThe No. 2 draft pick received the most votes (73%) for Rookie of the Year, compared to 20% for the No. 1 pick. azy fad Of Dallas. but choose number 3 awa family of seattle hurricane Was selected as the rookie who will be the best player in five years (67%), ahead of Miles (33%).

Dallas was voted the most improved team (67%), followed by chicago sky (20%). The WNBA’s 30th season begins Friday.