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Playoff Bound: Early 2025 WNBA Breakdown of the Most Promising Teams

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Breaking down the WNBA playoff picture by analyzing which teams are locks for the postseason and which face uncertainty due to roster changes and chemistry concerns. I categorize teams into two groups—questionable playoff contenders and automatic qualifiers—based on their star power, depth, and potential to make meaningful playoff runs.

• Dallas Wings as a questionable playoff team with a guard-heavy lineup of Arike, Paige Becker, and DiJonai but concerns about front-court depth after losing key players
• Chicago Sky's playoff hopes resting on Angel Reese and Carmela Cardoso's development, alongside rookie Haley Van Lith
• Los Angeles Sparks featuring a revamped roster with Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby, and Rickea Jackson, with questions about Cameron Brink's impact upon return
• Phoenix Mercury's talented trio of Alyssa Thomas, Kaleah Copper, and Satou Sabally possibly limited by spacing concerns and questionable depth
• Seattle Storm expected to make playoffs despite losing Jewell Loyd, thanks to Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Ezi Magbegor
• Minnesota Lynx as automatic playoff qualifiers with Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams coming off a Finals appearance
• Indiana Fever reaching a new level with Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, and DeWanna Bonner forming a formidable trio
• Atlanta Dream's elite trio of Rhyne Howard, Alisha Gray, and Brittney Griner making them serious contenders
• Las Vegas Aces remaining championship favorites with Asia Wilson, Jewell Loyd, and Chelsea Gray
• New York Liberty established as the top automatic playoff team with Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones leading their title defense

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Speaker 1:

What's up everybody? It's your favorite show's favorite show. Get a Bucket. I'm your host, trayn, as usual. I hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day Now.

Speaker 1:

Today we're going to talk about my WNBA playoff expectations. But before we do that, please make sure to hit that like and subscribe button. Comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. I'm trying to get the ratings up a little bit, just a little bit. But like I said, today, ladies and gentlemen, we're going to talk about my WNBA playoff expectations. So usually you got eight teams in the playoffs. It's kind of nice time. It's the most exciting time for the WNBA season, so we're not going to hit and haul too much.

Speaker 1:

Y'all might be wondering who in the world do I have? Well, it's going to be as follows let's start it off and break them down as follows right, automatics and my questionables, because I have some teams that automatically I expect to get it in. Some other ones I'm like I don't know, I don't know. So let's start it off here with my fifth questionable team, the Wings. Ladies and gentlemen, the Dallas Wings. They just drafted Paige Beckers with the number one pick and that's why she's part of my big three for the Wings. I'm basing this a little bit off the big three, but holistically really. But I'm showing y'all the big three, right? So you got Arike, paige and Dejanay. That's a solid big three, pretty guard-oriented though. So now I'm wondering well, do we have enough talent to help out these three players? Paige is new, arike is a star, dijon A, we know, is a defensive-minded expert, right Like she can stop players from getting a bucket. So I'm curious do the dallas wings have enough talent? Because they did lose quite a bit of players, right? Natasha howard, satu sabali. Uh, that's a lot to lose. So, again, do they have enough talent? And then they have enough big, because the people I just listed off were at least six foot two and above. So again, ladies and gentlemen, that that's something to look out for. But the Dallas Wings, again, do have the star potential to make it to the playoffs, but there are some question marks, at least for me personally. So, with that being said, I'm curious what y'all think about the Dallas Wings.

Speaker 1:

But let's move on up to my next questionable team, number four, the Chicago Sky. That's right, we do have Angel Reese, carmela Cardoza, ariel Atkins. Here's the thing, though Do we have the right pieces around Angel Reese and Carmela Cardoza, because that is the future for them. They did just draft pretty well too. They got Haley Van Lith, they got Courtney Vandesloup back. But again, ladies and gentlemen, I do have some question marks around this Sky team because, well, reese and Cardoza are the faces, they are the building blocks. So how do they develop? Are they good enough to get them to the playoffs this year? I think last year they were a few more teams, now this year, so it's a little bit different situation. So let's see what happens with the Sky. I think they can get to the playoffs. I do have some question marks personally. So that's see what happens with the Sky. I think they can get to the playoffs. I do have some question marks personally. So that's me. I'm curious what y'all think, because, again, they are a good team and I would not be surprised if they in fact do get to the playoffs. Just have some question marks. But, like I said, there's some other teams that are ahead of them right now, so at least for me. So let's talk about them, shall we?

Speaker 1:

For number three on the questionable list, we have my Los Angeles Sparks. Now, ladies and gentlemen, we boast Kelsey Plum, de'erica Hamby and Rekia Jackson. You could throw a couple of names in there too. Cameron Brink came into mind, but Cameron's also injured also. So we have to use Rekia Jackson, because not just a best, like only available person, but she also can get a bucket, and she showcased that her rookie year last year too, and I don't think she gets enough credit. So, again, she's part of our big three.

Speaker 1:

How much will that Cameron bring return, impact our team, though? Because that that may sway me from saying are we over a team like the Chicago Sky? Will that impact us, being higher than the Dallas Wings? And keep in mind, we have a lot of pressure on this Spark squad right now too, believe it or not. So again, ladies and gentlemen, sparks for me, I do expect us to make the playoffs, given our acquisitions and talent on the team, but I still have some question marks Because, again, there are some other teams that could usurp us. But we're not going to talk about my sparks right now. I don't like y'all thinking I'm biased. Right, about my girls, I'm being honest, though I'm being honest, but we're going to talk about the next team, number two, which is the Phoenix Mercury.

Speaker 1:

Ladies and gentlemen, the Phoenix Mercury can actually make the playoffs. Ladies and gentlemen, the Phoenix Mercury can actually make the playoffs. They have the team, they have the talent at least the big three to boost Right, let's talk about it. So they have here Alyssa Thomas, kalia Copper and Satu Sabali. That's not bad at all. That's not a bad big three when you think about it. All of them have had notable WNBA careers. Alyssa Thomas is a Hall of Famer to be. Satu Sabli has been coined a unicorn no, I'm sorry, the unicorn, like come on now. Kalia Copper is a finals MVP and a WNBA champion. That should get you the playoffs alone.

Speaker 1:

But here's my question mark though Spacing. Is there enough spacing for this Mercury team? Because it's not like alyssa thomas shoots the ball exceptionally well, satu cool, kalia streaky. So do we have enough shooters to complement this wonderful big three, this talented victory? And then also depth concerns as well too, because, again I said, this big three should be able to get you to the playoff. But what happens if one of the big three gets injured? Knock on wood, you know I'm saying like that is a possibility because injuries are part of the game.

Speaker 1:

So again, that is a question mark for me when we think about the murphy, but in terms of expectations, especially based on the big three. I expect them to get there. I genuinely do. They have more than enough talent based on that big three, but I have some questions, but that's why they're my number two team, ladies and gentlemen. So with that, let's talk about my number one team, which is the Seattle Storm. Ladies and gentlemen, last year I said they can make some noise because I genuinely believe they had a team that could do some things and I genuinely believe they have a team that can do some things. It's just not as high expectations this season as it was last season Because, again, when I have Nneka Agumake, skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezzie Magbogor as my big three, that is a quality big three and I genuinely expect them to make the playoffs. I really truly do. I could even see them making a top five appearance for the playoffs.

Speaker 1:

Right when it comes to seeding, I do want to see how big of an impact losing Jewel Lloyd is to the team. I do know you still have NECA on the squad and for me, neca is top five, top ten player in the WNBA, but I need to see what the depth looks like outside of this big three. The big three should be able to get them there, how much depth they actually have carries them forward. A player like a Jordan Horson, I'm really looking at you this season. Dominique Malanga, if you can come along this season just got drafted number two this year. So you know, I'm not gonna put too too much pressure on you, but if you can, oh, buddy may want to look out for this storm team. But again, I do have some question marks because they got to prove some things first.

Speaker 1:

So again, ladies and gentlemen, y'all see my top five questionable teams. Right, y'all heard my justifications, but I think it's fair. I think it's fair to say that that's a good listing, but I'm curious what you all think about that too. So if you guys think I'm off track on this and maybe I messed up on the ordering for you guys, maybe I left off a team. I wanted to put the Mystics up there, but we'll talk about them another time. But now let's go ahead and talk about here my automatics.

Speaker 1:

And starting off at number five, ladies and gentlemen, we have the Minnesota Lynx. We have Nafisa Collier, kayla McBride and Courtney like we know Courtney out there. Courtney Williams, like she's one of the, she's one of the most electrifying players in the game that's not known as a star and, honestly, she could be more electrifying than most stars. So this big three, we just saw them get to the finals and they have good depth, they have a good team, they play their roles, they're coached well. Why are they number five? For me, then? Well, because other teams did just acquire some team did just acquire some pieces. I do think, bought them past the links, even though the cohesion might be there for the links.

Speaker 1:

But again, getting to the actual playoffs, that has to occur. You have a tied for number one best player, for number one player in the WNBA, in Nafisa Collier. She's tied for me with Angel, I mean with Asia Wilson and Brianna Stewart. That alone gets you at least into the playoffs or at minimum close but should be in the playoffs. Then you got a player like Kayla McBride or the McBuckets. Come on up, she can get a bucket.

Speaker 1:

So again, this Lynx team. I expect them to get to the playoffs. Where they rank depends on other teams' execution and their depth. Remember, they're not the most quote unquote talented when it comes to name brand stars. So that's one thing that we got to pay attention to. But Lynx, definitely in the playoffs Finals? We'll have to see, because they surprised us last year, right?

Speaker 1:

But, ladies and gentlemen, let's talk about number 14. 14, which is the indiana fever. Now the links. Last year you might have thought they were a fluke. Right, this indiana fever, this team. This season, they boast alia boston, caitlyn clarkJuanna Bonner as their big three. Now you can shuffle some names around. You can say Kelsey Mitchell, you can say Natasha Howard. They have a couple pieces on their team, they're pretty deep on their squad, and then the bench ain't bad too.

Speaker 1:

So, ladies and gentlemen, in terms of the Indiana fever, I wholeheartedly expect them to make the playoffs, especially with how the Caitlin Clark stands. I'm talking about Caitlin, oh yeah, mvp, best player in the league. Okay, well, this team should get to the playoffs. Hell should be contenders. But even removing that, though, and just using my own analysis, they got to get there. They got a quality top five. Own analysis they got to get there. They got a quality stop. A top five, a starting five honestly could be the best, could be the top starting five could be, you got to see. But the unit's cohesion, because they did just come together. You got to take note of that. And then, because I'm actually I'm curious when they're going to realize all, all right, who's going to need to be what? There's going to be a period of stepping on toes, if you will. And then also Kaitlyn Clark and Aaliyah Boston's development. I think that's going to be huge if they take that next step. Remember, aaliyah Boston is in her third season now, and then Kaitlyn Clark this is her second. So for me, I want to see how Caitlin Clark does when it comes to double teams and turning the ball over offensive fouls, all that stuff. Aaliyah Boston, can you not start to dominate? This can be your team. So again, the Indiana Fever. I expect them to make it to the playoffs. You definitely should too, and they're going to be fun to watch. So I hope you all enjoy them.

Speaker 1:

But let's move on up to the number three team, because y'all might have thought I was going to put the Indiana female a little higher. It's the Atlanta dream for me. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm not like, look, don't sleep on the dream. Okay, they have Ryan Howard, alicia Gray and Brittany Griner. Bg. Like that is tough when I tell y'all that is an elite trio right there, because you have two elite way forwards and a dominant big and that can work out so nicely. We can talk about the Bulls with, like a Shaq I'm not saying BG is like Shaq, but again, just from a comparison standpoint a dominant force in the paint and then two elite wings.

Speaker 1:

Now, for me, this is going to put a little bit of pressure on the big three, because I said that's my expectation of them. Can they dominate? Can they dominate Now? They do have the depth they do. Can their depth finally flourish? They do have some quality pieces. I like some of their play. I love Jordan Canada Miss them on my squad, like Haley Jones they drafted out of Stanford.

Speaker 1:

Your time is now to shine, to come up right Like they have some quality pieces coming off the bench. But can the big three dominate? And will the bench, will the depth actually produce, and at a level that's contending esque? That's what I'm looking to see. But playoff wise, yeah, they got to make that, that's easy. They don't.

Speaker 1:

Very big disappointment all these automatics. Very big disappointment, they don't make it. But that's enough about the dream, though, and, ladies, gentlemen, we got to talk about the number two team, which is the Las Vegas Aces. Oh, I cannot get my name in that jersey the Las Vegas Aces. Ladies and gentlemen, y'all know them, y'all love them Both Asia Wilson, newcomer, jewel Lloyd and Chelsea Gray. Now they do have other players as well too. You can include Jackie Young into the mix of the big three, right, they have a really top heavy team, but they have some good talent, like some good talent off the bench as well too, coached pretty decently well too, right.

Speaker 1:

So again, when I'm talking about the aces, they just were back-to-back champions. Like we got to expect them to make it to the playoffs, even if they were a four seed last year. That was a down year. They got a chip on their shoulder. There's no way in the world they don't make the playoffs. There's no way in the world at all whatsoever. So I only need to talk about them because you know they're contenders. We know what to expect. The biggest question marks are the cohesion how will jewel lloyd show up? Will they step on each other's toes because chelsea gray had the chip on her shoulder? Jack young has something to prove and they got egos. So let's see how that battles out. But again, playoffs, easily getting there. And, of course, the number one team who? I'm about to be very disrespectful and say another team, but that's too much. That's too much.

Speaker 1:

The New York Liberty, ladies and gentlemen they are defending champions. It's right that we have them here. Their big three is boasted by Breanna Stewart, sabrina Ionescu and finals MVP John Quayle Jones. You got to save the best for last right. But again, ladies and gentlemen, the big three for the Liberty. That alone should carry them into the playoffs. But not only that. They have players like Feebush. They have players like Benadji Eleni. Leonie Feebush and Benadji Eleni those are two good players that make a quality starting five. But then they also got quality players coming off the bench too, like Natasha Cloud. That works Like, ladies and gentlemen, this team here, this Liberty squad. They very well could go back-to-back, and when I say they could go back-to-back, that means that they're going to get to the playoffs.

Speaker 1:

So again, automatics, ladies and gentlemen. There might be no higher team, there might be no more automatic of a squad than the New York Liberty. I don't even care about the seating, I really don't but you guys have now heard my questionable listing, as well as my automatic listing for the WNBA teams that make it to the playoff for the 2025 season. So I'm curious what you guys think. Did I miss a team up here, you guys let me know. But, ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude the end of the show, so I greatly appreciate you all for listening. Thank you all so much. Please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. My name is Trey. I'm the host of Get a Bucket. Hope you all are having a good one. Make sure to go watch WNBA. It's a hoot and a half.