WNBA 2020 season predictions: Who wins MVP? Which team wins the title?
Before the WNBA's 24th season opens Saturday (ESPN, noon ET) in the bubble at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, ESPN's panel of experts weigh in with their predictions for how the 2020 campaign will unfold. Which players will stand out? Which teams will lead the pack?
Analysts Rebecca Lobo and LaChina Robinson, play-by-play announcer Pam Ward, ESPN's Katie Barnes, Graham Hays, Kevin Pelton, Ramona Shelburne and Mechelle Voepel, and The Undefeated's Sean Hurd cast their picks below.
Only one question -- who will hoist the trophy in October -- had a unanimous answer.
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Who is your preseason pick for MVP?
Barnes: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Hays: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Hurd: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Lobo: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Pelton: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Robinson: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Shelburne: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Voepel: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Ward: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Who is your preseason Rookie of the Year?
Barnes: Chennedy Carter, Atlanta Dream
Hays: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Hurd: Chennedy Carter, Atlanta Dream
Lobo: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Pelton: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Robinson: Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings
Shelburne: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Voepel: Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings
Ward: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Who is your preseason Defensive Player of the Year?
Barnes: Natasha Howard, Seattle Storm
Hays: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Hurd: Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics
Lobo: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Pelton: Natasha Howard, Seattle Storm
Robinson: Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
Shelburne: Natasha Howard, Seattle Storm
Voepel: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Ward: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Which five players will make the All-WNBA First Team?
Listed in positional order, one center, two forwards and two guards:
Barnes: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Hays: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Hurd: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky; Chelsea Gray, Los Angeles Sparks
Lobo: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Chelsea Gray, Los Angeles Sparks
Pelton: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury
Robinson: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks; Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury; Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky
Shelburne: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky; Chelsea Gray, Los Angeles Sparks
Voepel: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks; Chelsea Gray, Los Angeles Sparks; Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Ward: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury; Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm; A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces; Chelsea Gray, Los Angeles Sparks; Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Which teams will meet in the WNBA Finals?
Barnes: Chicago Sky vs. Seattle Storm
Hays: Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm
Hurd: Chicago Sky vs. Seattle Storm
Lobo: Chicago Sky vs. Seattle Storm
Pelton: Seattle Storm vs. Washington Mystics
Robinson: Los Angeles Sparks vs. Seattle Storm
Shelburne: Los Angeles Sparks vs. Seattle Storm
Voepel: Los Angeles Sparks vs. Seattle Storm
Ward: Chicago Sky vs. Seattle Storm
Which team will win the 2020 WNBA title?
Barnes: Seattle Storm
Hays: Seattle Storm
Hurd: Seattle Storm
Lobo: Seattle Storm
Pelton: Seattle Storm
Robinson: Seattle Storm
Shelburne: Seattle Storm
Voepel: Seattle Storm
Ward: Seattle Storm
