Golden State Valkyries Lead 2027 WNBA Outlook After Championship Victory

For Golden State Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, the 2026 season ended the moment the final buzzer sounded on Saturday. She said she has not spent any time thinking about the 2027 campaign. Every ounce of mental energy went into securing the league title. The team clinched the championship with a Game 7 win over the Atlanta Dream in San Francisco.

ESPN’s early power rankings for the 2027 season place the Valkyries at No. 1. This matches their standing in the 2026 regular season rankings. The team finished 2026 with a 32-12 record. While free agency, trades, and the April draft will reshape rosters before spring, the champion’s core remains intact for now.

Four key players are already under contract for next season. These include forward Gabby Williams, forward Veronica Burton, center Kiah Stokes, and forward Kaila Charles. The championship run relied heavily on a defensive system that ranked first in the league. Williams and Stokes, both UConn alumni, arrived as free agents in 2026 and fit into that structure immediately. Williams led the team in scoring during the regular season and playoffs, while Stokes served as a defensive anchor in the postseason.

Stokes described the current roster as the beginning of a larger project. "I think this is just the start of what we're trying to build here," she said. The team’s success in its second year of existence may make it a stronger target for available free agents. However, the coaching staff may choose to maintain the current chemistry rather than making major changes for the title defense.

The Atlanta Dream sit at No. 2 in the projections. They lost to Golden State in the finals but have all five starters under contract for 2027. This group includes forward Angel Reese and guards Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. Forward Brionna Jones, who missed most of the 2026 season due to a leg injury, is also signed. Her return could provide physical presence inside. The Dream will move into State Farm Arena permanently in 2027, resolving the venue uncertainty that affected them this year.

The Las Vegas Aces, who were swept by the Valkyries in the semifinals, rank third. The team lost to a group that went on to win the title. While center A'ja Wilson and guard Chelsea Gray are signed, guard Jackie Young is a free agent. Retaining Young and adding depth are key objectives for the franchise.

The Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever round out the top five. The Mystics returned a youthful roster that overachieved in 2026. The Fever face personnel changes as president Kelly Krauskopf and general manager Amber Cox depart. The team must decide whether to keep nine-season veteran Kelsey Mitchell to pair with Caitlin Clark.