In case the near WNBA lockout lost you for a bit, the Minnesota Lynx season is right around the corner! The historic Collective Bargaining Agreement they reached was a huge milestone for the state of women’s sports, let alone women’s basketball. However, with the new changes and salary cap numbers, that meant some teams were going to look a lot different moving forward.
The Lynx were the team that was affected the most.
Minnesota was one blown foul call away from a championship in 2024, and title favorites
heading into the playoffs in 2025 before injuries derailed their run. Their strength, aside from MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier, was their depth. With other franchises now loaded with a ton of cap space, it was inevitable that the Lynx were going to lose a lot of players. Alanna Smith (DAL), Bridget Carleton (POR), Natisha Hiedeman (SEA), Jessica Shepard (DAL), DiJonai Carrington (CHI), and Masha Kliundikova (TOR) were all lost this offseason, many of whom chose money over a winning situation. Hard to fault them.
Instead, President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Cheryl Reeve pivoted. Here is a quick snapshot of their offseason.
- Retained Collier, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams all on max contracts
- Dorka Juhász, though currently injured and without a timetable, has also returned to Minnesota after becoming the youngest ever EuroLeague MVP
- Ola Kosu, last season’s rookie, is the final holdover from last season after earning Russian league playoff MVP honors
- Former Lynx champion, Natasha Howard, and Minnesota-native, Nia Coffey, join as veterans in free agency
- Drafted their point guard of the future, Olivia Miles, with the number two pick
- Signed European talent, including a pair of young Czechs, Emma Čechová and Eliška Hamzová, Belgian vet Antonia Delaere, and Dutch Emese Hof (Development contract)
- Traded a future third-round pick to Portland for Maya Caldwell
The new-look Lynx will tip off their season on Saturday, May 9 at 7:00 PM CT on Victory+ against the championship hopeful Atlanta Dream (Now featuring Angel Reese).
Before the action starts, though, our Canis Hoopus Lynx team has come to the table with their predictions on the year.
Season Outcome
Leo Sun:
I predicted that the Lynx would go 31-13 last year and end up as champions. Instead, they overachieved in the regular season (34-10), but fell short in the semi-finals to the Phoenix Mercury after Napheesa Collier got injured by a wild Alyssa Thomas play (No foul was called).
Such is life.
This is clearly going to be a bit of a rebuild year. Collier appears to be ahead of time in her recovery process and could suit up sooner than later. That bit of optimism is enough for Minnesota to outperform expectations. They won’t be among the upper echelon of contenders such as Las Vegas, New York, or even Atlanta, but they certainly still have enough talent and experience to finish top eight. The official 2026 WNBA GM survey results shared that Minnesota has the best coach (Reeve), best assistant coach (Thibault), top candidate for Rookie of the Year (Miles), and the second-best forward (Collier).
With young, developing teams like the Washington Mystics, Toronto Tempo, Portland Fire, and even Golden State Valkyries still not in real competition, in addition to some of the more dysfunctional franchises like the Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky, that’s almost an automatic bid to the postseason.
Prediction: 24-20; 7th seed; First round exit
Mitchell Hansen:
A season ago, I thought Minnesota would go 30-14 and would claim the WNBA title, though that was four games off, and the postseason ended a series shy of the Finals for the Lynx.
This year, I don’t think it will be a full-on rebuild year, and I actually think the Lynx will surprise some people with what they are able to do throughout the regular season. The uncertainty for some people is the international players Minnesota brought in this offseason — mainly because those players aren’t as well-known as those who we’ve seen in the WNBA.
If the Lynx can get Napheesa Collier back in early June, meaning she would miss like 10 or so games, they’ll be OK. Minnesota will take a bit of a step back from a season ago, but I think people could end up being surprised at what the talent on this roster can do.
Prediction: 27-17; 6th seed; First round exit
Benny Hughes:
It’s been a wild year and offseason for the Lynx and the WNBA as a whole. As the dust settles, Minnesota looks completely different than they did a year ago on the precipice of the 2026 season.
With the expansion draft and salary cap boon, the Lynx lost six players that were on the roster last year and have had to retool heading into this season.
I wouldn’t go so far to say that the Lynx are rebuilding, but they will need some time to get all the new faces acclimated and cannot lean on continuity to carry them through the early parts of the season as they did last season. Rotations will be something that I will be keeping my eye on early in the season, before and after Napheesa Collier’s return. With the influx of new international talent there may be some hesitation when looking at what the Lynx lost and who they signed as replacements, but I still think that the Courtney Williams-Kayla McBride-Napheesa Collier core with pieces around them that have high upside (including 2nd overall pick Olivia Miles). With arguably the best coaching staff in the WNBA I still think that Minnesota will make it into the playoffs and have a good chance to make it out of the first round.
Prediction: 27-17; 6th seed; Second round exit
Ryan Eichten:
This season is going to look a whole lot different from last year.
A year ago, the Lynx jumped out to a 9-0 start and never looked back. They held the top spot in the WNBA standings from the beginning and never let it go. The start of this season does not project to be as easy. The Lynx lost several important pieces from last year’s squad, and Collier projects to miss a good amount of time.
The path toward a top playoff spot will not be as straightforward, but the Lynx do still have a good amount of talent on the roster. Between returnees McBride and Williams, along with the newbie Miles, the Lynx still have a group of players that can compete at a very high level.
I think the Lynx will surprise some people who have begun to doubt them after a poor offseason and will get back to the second round of the playoffs.
Prediction: 28-16; 4th seed; Second round exit
Best Offseason Addition
LS:
This might not be reflected this season, but the Lynx acquiring Olivia Miles in the draft might have the longest effect on Minnesota’s future. I get the initial hesitation to get overhyped for Minnesota Miles. “Cheryl Reeve just drafted Diamond Miller second overall just three years ago. Look at her now!” Let’s not forget the impressive season Miller had in her rookie campaign before injuries derailed her career. Couple that with the fact that the Lynx suddenly shot into championship contention, making the development of young players less of a priority.
Miles should have much more of a leash moving forward. I’m sure Reeve doesn’t want to spend Collier’s prime without contending for a title, but the state of the CBA threw everything into flux. The 23-year-old point guard will have a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. Though I was initially questioning the selection (I preferred bigs Lauren Betts or Awa Fam), I can sincerely say I haven’t been as excited for a rookie point guard in Minnesota since Ricky Rubio. Her complete offensive game should transition smoothly with flashy passes to boot.
Prediction: Olivia Miles
MH:
This isn’t really an addition per se, but more so a return. I think Dorka Juhász will have a big year for Minnesota in 2026. After sitting out the 2025 season while remaining overseas and focusing on rest, Juhász is returning to the WNBA and to the Lynx this summer and will have a larger role than we saw her have the last time she stepped on a WNBA court in 2024.
Juhász had an impressive offseason with Galatasaray in Turkey, earning EuroLeague MVP honors and becoming the youngest player — at the age of 26 — to ever be named the league’s MVP. I think she’ll have a similar type of season to what we saw from Jessica Shepard in 2025, that being a player who took a step up after taking a season off to remain overseas.
Juhász is still young, she still has a lot of potential, and this season she will most importantly have a bigger role and more time to showcase that.
Prediction: Dorka Juhász
BH:
I will also stick with the consensus here and go with Olivia Miles in this slot. The dynamic, true point guard is one that Reeve loves to utilize to organize the constantly moving offense and be a playmaker for the likes of knockdown three point shooter Kayla McBride and get Napheesa Collier the ball in advantageous positions when she comes back.
Miles’ court vision mixed with her quickness should be a joy for Lynx fans to watch and track her progression throughout the season. She’s a solid shooter and has a knack for stuffing the stat sheet with her activity. She should see immediate time in the starting lineup or at the very least in a featured role off the bench. Having the optionality between Courtney Williams and Olivia Miles is something that I’m very excited to watch as the season progresses.
Prediction: Olivia Miles
RE:
The Lynx have not had much success in the WNBA Draft recently. Their 2024 8th overall pick, Alissa Pili, was let go last season, and the 2nd overall pick of the 2023 draft, Diamond Miller, was sent out at last year’s trade deadline.
This time, the hope is that they got things right with Olivia Miles from TCU. Reeves and the Lynx have been searching for a traditional point guard to run the offense for a while, and they have appeared to have found that player at the top of the draft.
Miles showed off some incredible court vision during her college days, which will translate well to a team that already has some veteran talent on it.
Prediction: Olivia Miles
Biggest Surprise Player
LS:
Emma Čechová was a player that almost no WNBA fan knew existed prior to April 12, 2026. The 6-foot 5-inch 21-year-old out of the Czech Republic existed mostly in short YouTube or Twitter highlight videos. What immediately stood out was her mobility and coordination at her size. She’s a fluid athlete who skates around the court, sliding over to block shots or slinking into open spaces to score. Her preseason debut confirmed as much.
Čechová is clearly going to have a learning curve given her age and lack of high-level experience. I’d expect Reeve to have to yank her from the court in some high-leverage situations, but given the lack of bodies available in the front court, Čechová should have plenty of opportunities. If she can prove she has a bankable perimeter jump shot, then Reeve may have found this season’s Kliundikova.
Prediction: Emma Čechová
MH:
I do agree with Leo when it comes to Emma Čechová. I do think she will have a nice season for Minnesota and will have the opportunity to showcase her talents. However, it’s not fun if I said the same answer, so I’m going to change things up a bit. And I’m also going to cheat and not pick one player, but two.
I think Antonia Delaere and Emese Hof could end up surprising people a bit with what they are able to do with the Lynx. Delaere, who made the final roster, has a big opportunity ahead of her to make an impact in Minnesota, similar to Čechova, as mentioned. Hof, who enters the season as one of the developmental players, could end up being a player that we see as a larger part of the team as the season moves along.
Though they aren’t well-known to the casual fan, both players are battle-tested international talents who are experienced in big-game situations and have stepped up over the course of their careers. I think they could end up surprising some people as the season progresses and as they get their feet wet in the WNBA.
Prediction: Antonia Delaere and Emese Hof
BH:
I’ll agree with Leo here and go with Emma Čechová. Her size is the first thing that pops out when you look her up and start to dive in to her potential as a WNBA player. She is a 6’ 5” center who is long and has already popped for her defensive instincts and length to challenge shots and deflections. When the Lynx have been at their best, they have this archetype of player that has defended the rim next to what your getting from Napheesa Collier on that end of the floor.
Čechová could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Lynx roster shuffle and while she is very young there is a clear role for her on this roster and going forward. I will be tuned in to see how that front court pairing is working when Collier returns.
Prediction: Emma Čechová
RE:
With the departures of Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, DiJonai Carrington, and Jessica Shepard, the Lynx frontcourt depth has taken a huge hit, especially with Napheesa Collier set to miss the start of the season.
They will need someone to step up in the absence of everyone else, and the most logical player to do that is the Euroleague MVP Dorka Juhász.
Juhász played with the Lynx in 2023 and 2024, but opted out of the 2025 season before returning to the team for 2026. She already has a familiarity with many on the roster, and that should serve her well as the Lynx look to rebuild a team that looked on track to with the championship last year.
Prediction: Dorka Juhász
Best Role Player
LS:
I’ve been a believer in last season’s rookie, Anastasiia Olairi “Ola” Kosu. Her athleticism has always popped on screen, and I’ll never forget Reeve boasting about Ola’s performances in practice a year ago. She shared that Kosu would often do something in practice that astounded the coaching staff. The freshly turned 21-year-old is of the Gabby Williams mold, and I think that’s just what this team needs. Defensive playmaker. Secondary/tertiary ball-handling. Off-ball cutter. Kosu is multi-talented.
I’ve alluded to this many times already, but Reeve is going to have to readjust her rotation habits on pulling players for making mistakes versus allowing them to play through it. There’s going to be a lot of young players seeing the court, and it’s going to be slim pickings when it comes to vets that are available. As a result, I think Kosu will benefit the most from her ability to fill different gaps.
Prediction: Ola Kosu
MH:
I also believe Ola Kosu will have not only an expanded role in 2026, but will take a nice step up in the next direction off the bench in Minnesota this summer. Another player I thought of going with her is Nia Coffey, who I think will be a nice fit with the Lynx and will be a solid presence off the bench.
However, I’m going to go with Emma Čechová as being the best role player when the season is all said and done. I could see her taking on a Bridget Carleton-type role from earlier on in Carleton’s career, where she was primarily coming off the bench prior to taking over a starting job. Čechová could be that type of player who comes in off the bench and provides a spark when the team needs it, notably on the offensive end of the floor.
Prediction: Emma Čechová
BH:
For this one, I’ll go for the Euroleague MVP Dorka Juhász. There is obviously a question mark around her injury and when she will return to on court action, but when she does I think she has the chance to open up a lot of lineups for the Lynx and provide them with a steady presence off the bench. Minnesota has been more apt to try bumping Napheesa Collier to small forward rather than to center (which does make sense) and I think Juhász has the highest upside to give these lineups a chance to work.
She’s shown flashes in the past of being a solid rotation option, but I think she has leveled up since the last time she put on a Lynx jersey. Her size combined with her ability to stretch the floor will be a huge layer that the Lynx can add to their offense.
Prediction: Dorka Juhász
RE:
Last year for this section, I put Cheryl Reeve, and I’m doing it again this year.
With so much roster chaos and Collier set to miss time, the Lynx will rely on their Hall of Fame coach to put out more with less. She has done it in the past seems primed to do it again with the frustrations of how the offseason transpired fueling her and the team.
Prediction: Cheryl Reeve
Most Valuable Player
LS:
We all know Napheesa Collier is the best player on the Lynx, possibly in the entire world. It’s great to see that she’s begun to occasionally shed her walking boot after an entire offseason of surgeries and rehab. My answer isn’t a knock on Phee at all. I’m going with Kayla McBride because of what she’s going to mean for this team all season.
McBride had an early return to Minnesota this offseason because of an eardrum issue that kept her grounded instead of playing in the European league postseason with Fenerbahçe. Though that’s not something you love to see, it also means she’s had a lot more time to rest and prepare for the WNBA season. The roster losses will thrust the soon-to-be 34-year-old veteran into a larger role on offense. McBride is coming off her second straight All-Star campaign, and I expect that streak to extend this season.
Prediction: Kayla McBride
MH:
I agree with Leo in that I think Kayla McBride will end up being the most valuable on this team the entire season. If Collier were healthy to start the season, would my answer be different? Probably. But without Collier on the floor when the 2026 campaign begins, McBride is that leader, and I think the new, young players will latch onto that.
When I think of an MVP, I don’t just think about what they do on the court. Yes, that’s important and is the reason all of these players are on the court playing this game, but an MVP is far more than that. An MVP is someone who is a key part of this team, and also means more to the team than just the numbers they produce. McBride is that type of person and player — she is a leader, she is the glue, and she just so happens to still be a pretty damn good basketball player.
When Collier returns, she will be the best player on the court. But I’m going with McBuckets for MVP this season.
Prediction: Kayla McBride
BH:
Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride will have to carry the load for much of the early season, but I’d be lying if I said that I could select anyone else but Napheesa Collier for this section.
She has been second in MVP voting the last two seasons in the W and when she gets back and into a groove I think that she may even have a larger weight on her shoulders with how the roster has shook out. She is a fantastic two-way player with dazzling footwork and has the ability to warp the floor with her scoring gravity alone. If Minnesota is going to make good on getting back into the playoffs and finding a way to make it into the later rounds, it starts and ends with Collier.
Prediction: Napheesa Collier
RE:
If the Lynx are going to have a successful season, it will be because Napheesa Collier comes back healthy and, at some point, provides valuable minutes for a team fighting for a playoff spot.
If she is not able to come back to the lineup for a good portion of the regular season, the Lynx will likely struggle to keep pace in the standings with their counterparts, who have just as much, if not more talent, and will have their best player on the floor from the start of the season.
Collier came just a few votes shy of the MVP award last season, and while that will not be in the cards this year, getting her back in the lineup healthy is the Lynx’s best chance at making this season a success.
Prediction: Napheesa Collier
Bold Prediction
LS:
At the time of writing this, the Lynx just traded a future third-round pick to the Portland Fire for Maya Caldwell. With all due respect, I’ll say that doesn’t fulfill my “bold prediction” of: the Lynx will make a big trade during the season. The Caldwell move, in a vacuum, seems like a great value for a rotation-level player, but that fits more in the “small trade” bucket. Cheryl Reeve has made “medium” trades in the past couple of seasons. DiJonnai Carrington. Myisha Hines-Allen.
I’m expecting a seismic move this year.
I stated earlier that Reeve won’t want to spend Collier’s prime years “rebuilding.” You also look at the daunting fact that Phee signed just a one-year contract during this offseason, when many fellow MVP-level peers signed for multi-year extensions. This may be reading too much between the lines, but Collier may be playing her own game of chess with Reeve to see if she’s willing to go all-in soon. The tough Ls the Lynx took during free agency couldn’t have felt good. Will it be packaging one of the captains, Courtney Williams or Kayla McBride, in a deal? Spicing up a pick-loaded offer with Olivia Miles? It might be time to push the chips in.
Prediction: The Lynx will make a big trade midseason
MH:
Over the course of franchise history, five Lynx players have earned Rookie of the Year honors. In 2026, Olivia Miles will join that list and will be the sixth player to do so in franchise history — the first since Crystal Dangerfield in 2020.
Miles, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, will be thrown right into things with the Lynx this summer, and everything we have seen to this point shows that she will be more than capable of hitting the ground running. Miles has a lot of what you want in a point guard — a player who is willing to take ownership and lead (even with her status as a rookie), a player who can be a floor general and can impact an offense in multiple ways, and a point guard who has a high IQ. There is a defensive question mark to her game at the moment, but that is something Minnesota will be working with Miles on and already has.
Miles seems wise beyond her years, and we’ll see how fast that translates in her rookie season in the WNBA. But with Lynx assistant coach and Hall of Famer Lindsay Whalen by her side, along with the rest of the Lynx coaching staff, Miles will be well set up to make a strong impact, and that will result in Rookie of the Year honors.
Prediction: Olivia Miles wins 2026 Rookie of the Year
BH:
Emma Čechová will be the full-time starting center by the end of the season. What makes this bold is that her age combined with the vets of Nia Coffey and Natasha Howard having something to say about this could derail my theory, but hear me out.
Minnesota went out of their way to bring the 21-year-old center to the WNBA and the Lynx and seem very willing to give her an opportunity. They know they need this type of player next to Napheesa Collier and I think will do a lot this season to develop her into the front court partner for Collier. Čechová is young and needs the experience, but her size cannot be taught. To me, the center spot next to Phee is up for grabs, and I think Čechová will dazzle enough to grab ahold of it.
Prediction: Emma Čechová will start at center by the end of the season
RE:
What looms over everything for the Lynx is that Collier signed only a one-year deal with the team, while many of her superstar counterparts signed multiyear deals with their franchises.
It is yet to be known if that means Collier is likely to leave Minnesota next offseason or if she is just keeping her options open with the intent to sign a longer-term contract a year from now when her ankles have fully healed from their recent surgeries.
Regardless of Collier’s intentions, the story will likely linger over the team the entire season. People will take a microscope to everything Collier says and does while the vultures circle, looking to pick up an All-Star caliber player for their own team.
How the Lynx deal with the potential circus will say a lot about their ability to retain Collier and how much success they are able to have this season. If they deal with it well, it’ll be business as usual. If they let the story get out of control, it might be too much to overcome.
Prediction: Napheesa Collier’s contract status remains a story the entire season
The time for talk is over. The time for basketball is now. Follow along as Canis Hoopus brings you all the latest for the 2026 Lynx season!
