May 15, 2025
2025 WNBA general manager survey released
League GMs share their thoughts on the upcoming 2025 season
The results of the 20th WNBA general manager survey have been revealed ahead of the 2025 WNBA regular season, which tips off on Friday, May 16. The general managers responded to 40 questions to assess the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves and more before the season begins. However, they were not allowed to vote for their own team or personnel. Here’s a look at the results:
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Most likely to win the Kia WNBA MVP award
According to the survey, reigning Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier was picked as most likely to win the Kia WNBA MVP Award in the 2025 season. She received 67% of the MVP votes from the general managers. A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces finished behind the former UConn Husky with 25%. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark followed with 8%.
Most versatile player
Collier was also named the league’s most versatile player at 42% as well as the best defender at 33%. She and Wilson tied at 42% for the WNBA’s best leader and best forward with 33%.
Team most likely to win the WNBA championship this season
While Minnesota was the runner-up to New York in the 2024 WNBA Finals, the general managers predicted the Lynx as most likely to win the WNBA championship this season. New York finished in second place in voting with 20%, followed by Indiana and Las Vegas for third with 10% each.
In addition to this, a matchup between the Lynx and the Liberty was voted as the most likely contest in the championship game of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup with 50%.
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The player the general managers would choose to build a franchise around
According to the survey, Clark received 50% of the votes as the player the general managers would pick to build a franchise around if they could sign any player in the league.
Best point guard and best shooting guard
Clark and Chelsea Gray from the Aces both received the most votes for best point guard with 50%. Clark also received 33% of the votes for best shooting guard in the league. New York’s Sabrina Ionescu and Minnesota’s Kayla McBride followed behind with 25% each.
Best passer, highest basketball IQ, best future head coach, trusted to make a game-winning shot
Gray was at the top of the list for many voting categories. She received the most votes, 75%, as the league’s best passer and she was chosen as the player with the highest basketball IQ with 36% of the votes. In addition to this, she received 36% of the votes as the player who would make the best head coach. The three-time WNBA champion was also selected as the player trusted by general managers to take a game-winning shot, at 25%. Collier, Ionescu and Wilson all received 17% in voting.
Player who forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments
Wilson received the most votes, 33%, as the player that shakes up the game, causing opposing coaches to make the most adjustments throughout a game. She was also named as the league’s best interior defender, at 67 percent, as well as the best center, with 50%.
2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year
Bueckers was voted as the player predicted to become the 2025 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year and received 73% of the votes. The second overall 2025 draft pick, Dominique Malonga, was voted as the rookie who will become the top player in five years with 60%.
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Team that will be the most fun to watch this season
Indiana had a big offseason and reshaped their team, adding new key members like six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner, two-time All-Star Natasha Howard and guard Sophie Cunningham. They received 75% of the vote as the team that will be the most fun to watch this season.
Team that had the best overall moves in the offseason
The Fever won the most votes as the team that made the best overall moves this offseason with 64%. They also received 42% of votes for the team that will be the most improved in the 2025 season. The most votes went toward Bonner’s signing with the team as a free agent, serving as the most surprising move with 33%.
Player acquisition that will make the biggest impact on the league
There’s no denying that Alyssa Thomas made her mark as a leader of the Connecticut Sun since being traded to the team on draft day in 2014. During the offseason, she joined the Phoenix Mercury in a sign-and-trade deal. The general managers voted this move as the player acquisition that will make the biggest impact on the league with 50% of votes.
League’s best coach
Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota’s head coach, topped votes on coaching-related categories. She received 83% of the votes as the league’s best coach and she was selected as the coach who makes the best in-game adjustments at 50%. What’s more, she was selected as the head coach who is the best manager/motivator of people with 36% of votes. Becky Hammon of the Las Vegas Aces and Indiana’s Stephanie White tied for second at 27%.
Best international player
Jonquel Jones, who is from the Bahamas, was named the best international player. She currently plays for the New York Liberty.
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International country producing the best WNBA talent
Earning 92% of the vote as the international country that is currently producing the best WNBA talent was France.
Best home-court advantage
The team that has the best home-court advantage is the 2024 WNBA champions, the New York Liberty. They received 50% of the vote while Indiana, who ranked second, received 42%.
New or relocated coach who will have the biggest impact
White, who became Indiana’s head coach in the offseason, was selected as the new or relocated head coach who will have the biggest impact. She received 50% of the vote. In second place is Tyler Marsh, the Chicago Sky’s new head coach. He received 42% of the vote.
Most athletic player
Kahleah Copper, who was traded to the Phoenix Mercury before the 2024 season, was voted as the most athletic player. She received 36% of the votes. The Washington Mystics’ Brittney Sykes finished close behind with 27%.
