WNBA MVP Race: Why A’ja Wilson Is Running Away With It + 2026 Award Predictions

The WNBA is back, and with the playoffs approaching, it’s time to make our 2026 award and All-WNBA projections.A’ja Wilson has been dominant all season — is another MVP already a foregone conclusion? We break down the MVP race and make our picks for every major WNBA award, including Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Player and Coach of the Year.Then, we reveal our projected All-WNBA and All-Rookie teams before putting two eliminated teams on the chopping block.🔥 In this episode:A’ja Wilson for MVP?Angel Reese for Defensive Player of the YearOlivia Miles for Rookie of the YearJess Shepard for Most Improved PlayerJanelle Salaün for Sixth PlayerCheryl Reeve for Coach of the YearOur All-WNBA projectionsOur All-Rookie projectionsWhat’s next for the Los Angeles SparksHow Phoenix can rebuild around Kelsey Plum and Kahleah CopperThe biggest roster-building questions heading into 2027   IndeedListeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. BetterhelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.Aura CybersecurityStart your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware.  Protect yourself now. SquareGet up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod FanDuelMake this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days.  Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM  FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.