The WNBA GM survey selected Bueckers as the player to launch a franchise

Dallas Wings the guard Paige Bueckers The player WNBA general managers would choose if starting a franchise today received the most votes, the league’s survey of GMs revealed Tuesday. Before last season, that nod went to the Indiana Fever Caitlin Clarke When he landed in the Rookie of the Year campaign, like the Bookers now.

D Las Vegas Aces‘ Aja Wilson And Clark was second with 20% of the vote to Bueckers’ 33%. Wilson is 29; Bookers and Clark are 24. Clarke was limited to 13 games last season due to injuries.

Wilson, who won his fourth MVP last season, was the most admired player overall in this year’s survey, receiving the highest percentage of votes (60%) as the favorite to win the 2026 MVP. He is followed by two-time MVP Brenna Stewart of New York Liberty (27%), followed by Clarke and Atlanta is the dreamof Alisha Gray with 7% each.

Wilson was also voted as the league’s top defender (53%), player who forces the other team to make the most adjustments (60%), and best leader (79%).

The Wilson Aces, the 2025 WNBA champions, received 40% of the vote as the team most likely to win the title in 2026, followed by the New York Liberty (33%) and the Atlanta Dream (27%). GMs, who were asked 42 questions, could not vote for their own team or staff. Percentages were based on the pool of respondents to each question. Aces teammate of Wilson Chelsea Gray Also mentioned frequently in surveys. He received the most votes (36%) as the league’s best point guard (73%), best passer (93%), best basketball IQ (93%) and most trusted player to take game-winning shots (50%) as the active player who might someday be the best head coach (50%).

D Minnesota LynxIts Cheryl Reeve received 53% of the vote as the league’s best head coach, topping Las Vegas’ Becky Hammon (40%).

Minnesota Guard Olivia MilesThe 2026 No. 2 draft pick received the most votes (73%) for Rookie of the Year, compared to 20% for the No. 1 pick. Benefit today But Dallas has the No. 3 pick Awa Pham of Seattle Storm The rookie was picked to be the best player in five years (67%) ahead of Miles (33%).

Dallas was voted the most improved team (67%), then Chicago Sky (20%). The WNBA begins its 30th season on Friday.