WNBA Preview: Angel Reese on a tear, fallout from NaLyssa Smith trade - NBC Sports
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WNBA Preview: Angel Reese on a tear, fallout from NaLyssa Smith trade
By
Cole Huff,
By
Cole Huff
Published July 7, 2025 05:42 PM
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With three empty-slate days, the opening week of July lacked the usual amount of WNBA action. Yet, the fewer days of games didn’t equate to a shortage of news.
In case you missed it, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert took to the podium on the final day of June to announce “that the WNBA is expanding from our currently announced 15 teams to 18 teams over the next few years.” Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030) will follow Toronto and Portland — the 14th and 15th teams — who will begin competing in 2026.
The WNBA’s expansion from 12 teams in 2024 to 18 over a six-year period is exciting for the league and a clear reflection of the new heights it is reaching. Naturally, additional rosters will lead to more available spots for players of all types — international players, draft picks, etc. What will be interesting to watch unfold is the almost yearly expansion draft, in which select players from existing WNBA rosters will be poached and placed on the new teams. Golden State’s fast start in its inaugural season could serve as a best-case scenario for these future expansion teams, but it’s hard to envision that level of success being the case for each incoming franchise. Nonetheless, league growth is positive.
It was also a noteworthy week in the W concerning player movement, with news ranging from minor and medium to major.
The minor: The less headline-grabbing but still relevant stories were that players have begun to trickle back into the U.S. and rejoin their WNBA teams after completing their overseas commitments. Leonie Fiebich’s return to the New York Liberty’s starting lineup felt significant. In contrast, Teaira McCowan’s return suddenly feels less consequential for a Dallas Wings team that has found its groove and added a center in her absence.
Rating: 5