We’re only a few weeks removed from the WNBA Finals, which ended with Las Vegas winning the franchise’s first championship. But can they repeat in 2023? If not, then who takes the title? We have answers here as we make our way-too-early predictions on the next WNBA champion!
WNBA title odds are not quite available at top-used bookmakers. However, we anticipate that changing sooner rather than later. Nonetheless, once WNBA futures odds are posted, you can expect the familiar suspects to be betting favorites, teams like the ones featured in the table below:
| Team |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Aces | TBD | TBD |
| Connecticut Sun | TBD | TBD |
| Seattle Storm | TBD | TBD |
| Chicago Sky | TBD | TBD |
| Washington Mystics | TBD | TBD |
| Atlanta Dream | TBD | TBD |
Best Bets To Win 2023 WNBA Title
The looming WNBA free agency period and draft will change the landscape of the league. That’s why we’re being cautiously optimistic with our impending bets on the 2023 WNBA championship and spreading it out to a few different teams. With that said, here’s where our money is going at this point in the offseason:
Las Vegas Aces
No WNBA team has gone back-to-back since 2002 — an entire two decades ago. However, if there’s a team that can break the long drought, it’s this Aces team which dominated by all accounts in 2022. They possessed the head coach of the year (Becky Hammond), the league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year (A’ja Wilson), another MVP candidate (Kelsey Plum), the Most Improved Player (Jackie Young), and we could go on with the individual accolades.
As with any team trying to repeat, there are two big obstacles standing in the way of the Aces. The first is keeping the “band together” and not losing any to free agency. Las Vegas currently has nine of its 12 players under contract through 2023 — including all the aforementioned pieces with hardware to their name.
Obstacle number two is complacency. Let’s face it, it’s harder to stay motivated once you’ve climbed to the top of the mountain. But if you paid attention to what Aces players and coaches were saying post-title, many keep referring to “dynasty.” Maybe it was just lip service amid celebrations, but this team is seemingly going to play with the expectations of doing it all again.
And it’s all within reason given this team’s talent level. If you saw the playoffs, you see the Aces be near unstoppable offensively with Plum, Wilson, and Young. We expect much of the same to happen in 2023, hence we’re dropping this bet right now despite history telling us not to.
Connecticut Sun
The Sun fell short in the WNBA Finals to the Aces, marking the second time in four years they’ve been denied a title in the final series. However, this team remains primed for another run at the championship, especially with a healthy Jasmine Thomas in the lineup running point.
Thomas tore her ACL early last season, putting her completely out of action. It marked the third straight year a key contributor for Connecticut was lost for the season. Before Thomas, it was Alyssa Thomas (Achilles tear) and Jonquel Jones (COVID opt-out). If the Sun can end that unlucky streak, they’ll be loaded from top to bottom.
Plus, there are huge question marks for other WNBA title-contending teams. Chicago could have both Candace Parker and Allie Quigley retire. Seattle will have to fill the void left after Sue Bird’s own retirement. Connecticut doesn’t have nearly as many issues as other would-be favorites, which bodes well for its title hopes.
Washington Mystics
Of our three bets, the Mystics will probably be our biggest longshots to win outright. But if you’re going to take a multi-bet approach like we are, it’s a smart betting strategy to take one real shot that’s low-risk, high-reward and that’s Washington for us.
This team was good but not great last season, amassing a 22-14 mark. Once in the playoffs, they were swept out of the first round by Seattle. Part of its so-so performance was the caution they took with Elena Delle Donne, the 2019 MVP. A serious back injury has slowed down her career, notably forcing her to miss almost all of 2021. Yes, she returned a season ago but the team was always careful to not overwork her and risk a re-injury.
Delle Donne is 33 now, but we’re not ready to write her off. If she can get healthier, she’s still a superstar player in this league. Washington was undone in 2022 by inconsistent offense and a 100-percent healthy Delle Donne can fix that. That scenario alone makes the Mystics a worthy underdog bet here.
How To Bet On 2023 WNBA Futures?
WNBA futures for the 2023 season will be up soon and when they are, you’ll find all the odds available at one of the listed bookies underneath. These include futures outside of the championship winner — bets like the MVP winner or No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, as well.
The table below features only the best-rated bookies across the marketplace. Read our up-to-date sportsbook reviews to see why they’re so highly rated.
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