A 2025 WNBA season that seem fated to revive the Minnesota Lynx dynasty instead ended in disaster, with an ankle injury derailing Napheesa Collier’s MVP campaign before a second Collier ankle injury sunk the team in the semifinals of the WNBA playoffs.
The ramifications of those events reverberate into 2026, raising three questions the Lynx need to answer before the season tips off. Take to the comments and share your Minnesota-related questions and concerns.
1. What are the expectations for Napheesa Collier in the 2026 season?
As expected, the Lynx extended a core qualifying
offer to Collier on Tuesday, all but guaranteeing that Phee, an unrestricted free agent, will remain in Minnesota.
The star and the team now will negotiate the terms of the deal, with Collier’s resume being supermax requisite. And while the organization should be happy to furnish her with such a deal, expending significant resources on Phee in a season where she is coming off two offseason ankle surgeries could cap Minnesota’s upside.
It’s unlikely Phee will be the full Phee, as, once she is cleared to return to the court, a timeline that is still unclear, she will likely require significant ramp-up time due to limited offseason training. And even as she begins to approach her full basketball self, it can be expected that some load management will remain part of her program.
Understanding their star’s situation, does Minnesota see 2026 as a retrenchment season? Rather the go all out for the championship chase, is it more realistic to use the season ahead to allow Collier to fully recover and gather information about how to maximize their 2027 title window?
Or, is Minnesota confident Collier will be back to MVP-caliber form by season’s end, making it imperative to build the best roster possible as for a playoff push?
How do you see this season playing out with Phee and the Lynx? Are you okay with taking a step back now, with hopes that 2027 could be THE year? Or, are you optimistic that everything can come together for a 2026 playoff run?
2. Who do the Lynx want to see on still on the board at the No. 2 pick in the WNBA Draft?
While the Dallas Wings are both blessed and burdened with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Lynx are sitting quite pretty at No. 2. (Thank you, Chicago Sky!)
They’ll have their pick of a group of promising prospects, without the pressure of the “No. 1 overall” label. Plus, unlike typical lottery teams, Minnesota is a championship-caliber organization not dependent on instant impact from their high-profile rookie. There’s patience, not pressure.
But, what’s Minnesota’s preference? Who do they hope is still sitting there at No. 2?
Are they intrigued by Awa Fam, seeing the 6-foot-6 Spanish 19-year-old as the frontcourt partner of the future for Collier? Is the certain sharpshooting of Azzi Fudd, a seemingly seamless fit in Minnesota’s current offensive system, more appealing? Are they interested in zagging, with a team that has prioritized versatility over size on the defensive end going for Lauren Betts to boost their rim protection and rebounding? Or, could they take Olivia Miles, envisioning her as a long-term point guard piece? That’s what Eric Nemchock projected in his last mock draft.
Because of the track record of the Lynx under Reeve, it’s easy trust their decision. Who do you want the Lynx to pick, and is that who you think they’ll pick?
3. How will Minnesota manage the signing of all their restricted free agents?
If Minnesota’s draft situation is rather breezy, their free agency circumstance is the opposite, full of speed bumps.
In the expansion draft, the Lynx already lost a key piece, as Bridget Carleton was the No. 1 pick by the Portland Fire. The rest of Minnesota’s unrestricted free agents likewise will be appealing to other franchises, as all of them have proven capable of contributing to a winning team.
For the Lynx, retaining Alanna Smith, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, DiJonai Carrington, Jessica Shepard and Natisha Hiedeman is not only complicated due to these players’ salary expectations and the constraints of the salary cap, but also the order of operations.
Who does president of basketball operations and head coach Cheryl Reeve, along with the rest of the Lynx brass, schedule a meeting with first? Do they then risk other teams swooping in and signing players who don’t get the first call? And, how much is the team willing to bend their salary preferences for certain players in order to keep them in Minneapolis? Do you pay the player you prioritize the most whatever is required, even if that means the money is no longer there to re-sign another returner?
It’s all complicated.
Smith, who seemingly should be near or at the top of the Lynx’s priority list due to her DPOY-winning impact on that end of the floor, expressed an intention to fully exercise her free agency when recently speaking to media in Australia, emphasizing her “luxury of choice.” As is her right, Smith seems to be signaling that Minnesota shouldn’t expect any sentimental feelings to encourage her to return at a number less than her worth. The Lynx are going to need to pay up to keep Lan!
If Reeve gave you a call, who are you telling her to re-sign first? Do you hope the whole group returns? Are there any other free agents you think the Lynx should have their eye on?
