The WNBA season is nearly here, but before we fully dive into the 2026 campaign, we need to recap the offseason.
A lot has happened since the Aces claimed the title over the Mercury last October, but don't worry about what you may have missed. We're here to quickly get you all caught up, and we do just that in the latest episode of the Buckets WNBA podcast.
Jim Turvey and Maria Marino recap the offseason and, of course, offer up some futures bets to help build excitement for the upcoming 2026 WNBA season.
WNBA Futures Best Bets
Toronto Tempo to Make the Playoffs (+425)
Sandy Brondello has made the playoffs in every year of her head coaching career, and I know she's had some stacked rosters, but she knows this league better than anyone, and she knows how to win.
There is some talent on Toronto's team. Marina Mabry, Brittney Sykes, and how about Nyara Sabally coming over from New York? I think she's a player, kind of like Kayla Thornton last year, where we never really saw her full potential because she was on the bench. So, maybe Sabally could be something more.
I have the tempo to make the playoffs at +425. Natalie Nakase won Coach of the Year last year because an expansion team had never made the playoffs. She led Golden State there, despite the low expectations. So, if that was the blueprint for her, maybe Brondello will be looked at in a similar light if the Tempo make the playoffs.
I haven't found a Coach of the Year market yet, but that's also something to keep an eye on.
– Marina Marino
Dallas Wings to Make the Playoffs (-130)
I'm looking for Dallas Wings' futures.
I can't believe they've roped me in again, but this front court is really good, and let's go over this starting five.
There's Paige Bueckers, who I think has a ceiling of a borderline league MVP this season, and Arike Ogunbowale, who in Unrivaled, started to show an ability, with talent next to her, to be in deferral mode and then take over late. We know Ogunbowale can take over late in close games.
Additionally, Maddie Siegrist is one of my favorite under-the-radar players in the W. Dallas also has Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, and Azzi Fudd. And then there's Odyssey Sims, who I think was one of the secrets to the Fever run last year. Having her off the bench in case someone gets hurt, or simply as a stabilizer in the minutes that Bueckers and Ogunbowale aren't out there, will be huge.
I'm going to give the Wings to make the playoffs at -130 as my best bet. I think they have a really high floor, and I think there are a fair number of teams that are going to be in rebuilding mode.
Meanwhile, Dallas is clearly going for it.
– Jim Turvey
