WNBA: Stewart tops MVP candidates
1) Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm): The 2018 WNBA MVP missed last season but will be back and should be right in the middle of the race once again. Stewart averaged 20.0 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last year and we expect her numbers to be right around 20-10 this year too. The Storm, who went 18-16 last season without Sue Bird and Stewart, sit at the top of our power rankings heading into the regular season, which begins on Saturday, July 25.
2) Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks): Ogwumike won the 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year, then four years later she took home the league MVP award. Another four years has passed, so does it mean she's destined to win another MVP? The 6'2 forward averaged 19.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game last year, playing in 32 games, and she should take on even more of the scoring load.
3) Diamond DeShields (Chicago Sky): The Sky aren't one of the most talented teams in the league but we projected them to go 12-10, mainly because of DeShields' efforts. The former Tennessee guard put up 16.2 points and 2.4 assists a year ago, and we're expecting her to average 18+ points in her third season. DeShields, who is 6'1, is also a very good rebounding guard, grabbing 5.2 rebounds per game in her first two years.
4) Liz Cambage (Las Vegas Aces): Cambage is arguably the best center in the league and heading into her fifth season, we think she has the potential to return to her career year in 2018 when she averaged 23.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. She put up 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in 2019 in 4.3 less minutes than the season before, so we expect her production to increase if her playing time does. The Aces are projected to go 16-6 this year.
5) Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury): The 6'8 center is one of the most decorated players in the league right now but she has never won the league MVP. In a shortened regular season, Griner could compete for the WNBA's top player and help the Mercury return to contention. She averaged 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game in 2019, and we think she has a good chance to win the MVP, especially if Elena Delle Donne doesn't play.
Photo Credit: Breanna Stewart.
