2026 WNBA GM survey: League execs prefer Paige Bueckers over Caitlin Clark as franchise cornerstone

Clark is coming off an injury-plagued season, while Bueckers excelled as a rookie

Jack Maloney

May 5, 2026

3:00 pm ET

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6 min read

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The WNBA released its annual general manager survey on Tuesday ahead of opening night of the 2026 season on Friday. Like every year, the league's 15 GMs were asked dozens of questions about the present and future of the WNBA, and their responses give some insight into how the top executives expect this season to unfold.

Ahead of Friday, let's take a closer look at some of the most notable responses.

Bueckers overtakes Clark as player to start franchise with

Heading into last season, Caitlin Clark was coming off a historic Rookie of the Year campaign and a fourth-place MVP finish with the Indiana Fever. When executives were asked which player they would want to start a franchise with in the 2025 edition of this survey, 50% said Clark.

Clark's injury issues last summer -- she played in only 13 games due to an array of lower-body injuries -- not only derailed her sophomore season but damaged her reputation in the eyes of the league's top decision-makers. This year, only 20% of GMs said they would pick Clark to start their franchise.

Instead, 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers led this category this year with 33% of the vote. Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals as a rookie for the Dallas Wings on 47.7/33.1/88.8 shooting splits and tied the single-game rookie scoring record with 44 points. She is already one of the best players in the league, and a completely reasonable choice if you could pick one player to build around.

It's interesting, though, that the perception of Clark changed so much due to one injury-filled season, especially when none of her ailments were serious. She also only got 20% of the vote for best point guard, down from 50% last year. The talent and bravado that made her a top-five player as a rookie didn't suddenly disappear; she just wasn't able to display it last season. Now that she's healthy, she should regain her spot in the league's hierarchy.

If you were starting a franchise today and could sign any player in the WNBA, who would it be?

PlayerTeamPercent of votePaige Bueckers

Wings

33%

Caitlin Clark

Fever

20%

A'ja Wilson

Aces

20%

Dominique Malonga

Storm

13%

Angel Reese expected to make big impact in Atlanta

On the opening day of free agency, the Chicago Sky traded All-Star forward Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. Reese will team up with Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones to try and help the Dream get over the hump. They won a franchise-record 30 games last season, but were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Fever.

Reese being traded wasn't completely unexpected given how last season ended -- she sat out the last four games due to a combination of a team suspension for a controversial interview, a league suspension for accumulating too many technical fouls and a back injury -- but it was a surprise that the return was so little for a player of her caliber.

The league's general managers were also surprised by the trade and expect Reese to make a big impact in Atlanta. Reese, the best rebounder in the league, an indefatigable worker and strong defender, will help the Dream double down on their biggest strengths and should make them a terrific regular-season team. But the Dream crashed out of the playoffs last season because they couldn't make shots when it mattered most, and for all her positive traits, Reese won't solve that issue.

What was the most surprising move of the offseason?

PlayerTeamPercent of voteSatou Sabally to New York

Liberty

23%

Angel Reese to Atlanta

Dream

15%

Alanna Smith to Dallas

Wings

15%

Which player acquisition will make the biggest impact?

PlayerTeamPercent of voteAngel Reese

Dream

27%

Gabby Williams

Valkyries

27%

Nneka Ogwumike

Sparks

20%

Satou Sabally

Liberty

13%

A'ja Wilson projected to win fifth MVP

A'ja Wilson has only been in the league for eight seasons and already has one of the best resumes ever. Last season, she added a record fourth MVP, a third Defensive Player of the Year, a second Finals MVP and a third title, along with a seventh All-Star nod, a sixth All-WNBA honor and a fifth All-Defensive selection.

Everyone, including the league's general managers, views Wilson as the best player in the league by a wide margin. She received the most votes to win MVP (60%), the most votes for the player who forces the most adjustments (60%) and the most votes for both the best forward (47%) and center (57%) in the league. Nothing emphasizes Wilson's dominance and versatility better than being recognized as the best player at two positions.

Who will win 2026 WNBA MVP?

PlayerTeamPercent of voteA'ja Wilson

Aces

60%

Breanna Stewart

Liberty