The Minnesota Lynx opened training camp on Sunday afternoon and are looking to take a step forward after finishing 19-21 last season.
Minnesota has a different look after losing Aerial Powers, Natalie Achonwa and Tiffany Mitchell in free agency and Jessica Shepard will also be absent after a year-long suspension for violating the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Still, there is plenty of talent that will be battling for a spot on the roster and they could have a strong starting lineup heading into this season.
Point Guard: Courtney Williams
One of the key free agent additions for Minnesota this offseason was Williams, who is a former All-Star and eight-year veteran.
The 30-year-old is coming off one of the best seasons of her career shooting 43 percent from the floor and 44 percent on 3-pointers while averaging a career-high 6.3 assists to go with 10.4 points per game with the Chicago Sky last year.
Williams also has a knack for chasing down rebounds with six per game last season and 5.4 per game during her career, which should allow her to hold off trade acquisition Natisha Hiedeman (8.5 ppg, 2.7 apg, 2.1 rpg with Connecticut last season) for the starting job.
Shooting Guard: Kayla McBride
McBride returns for her fourth season with the Lynx and her 11th season overall. A three-time All-Star (2015, 2018, 2019), McBride averaged 14.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season and is locked in as one of Minnesota’s top scoring options.
Behind McBride, Cecilia Zandalasini will look to make the roster after posting averages of 13.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in 14 starts in the Euroleague with Italian club Virtus Segafredo Bologna. She last played in the WNBA in 2018, averaging 5.7 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 29 games for the Lynx.
Small Forward: Diamond Miller
The second overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, Miller’s rookie season was slowed after missing six weeks with a knee injury. Miller was still impressive on the court, however, averaging 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 32 games.
Miller could improve her shooting efficiency – she shot 40 percent overall and 30 percent from downtown last season – but she’s an integral part of Minnesota’s future and will look to build on a solid rookie campaign.
Power Forward: Napheesa Collier
After she was limited to four games due to the birth of her first child in 2022, Collier returned to All-Star form in 2023. The 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year and two-time All-WNBA selection averaged a career-high 21.5 points and 8.5 rebounds while finishing fourth in MVP voting last season and will return for a prominent role this year.
Collier should also have help behind her with the addition of 2024 first-round pick Alissa Pili. Pili averaged 21.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists for Utah last season and shot 55 percent from the floor and 40 percent from 3-point range.
While some may argue the Lynx’s need for a defensive presence such as Angel Reese, Pili could be an impact reserve this season.
Center: Alanna Smith
Smith set career highs in starts (35), scoring (9.2 ppg), rebounding (6.6 rpg), assists (1.8 apg) and blocks (1.3 bpg) last season and finished third in the WNBA’s most improved player award voting with Chicago last season.
While Smith had a breakthrough offensively, her presence defensively could make an even bigger impact, helping a Lynx team that was 11th with 85 points allowed per game this season.
The Lynx will have some depth as Dorka Juhász returns for her second season but Smith should get the start and could help Minnesota transform its identity this season.
