The WNBA season is (finally) here which means the WNBA Fantasy season is (finally here). After an electric opening weekend, here are the top three guards and top three forward/centers on the WNBA fantasy waiver wire.
While the Storm only play one game this week, you may want to pick up and hold onto Jordan Horston. The rookie from Tennessee played 24 minutes in her first-ever WNBA game, scoring eight points while tallying five rebounds, three assists and three steals for a total of 22 fantasy points. This triple-double potential, combined with Seattle's lack of offensive firepower, gives Horston an interesting opportunity to make an immediate impact off the bench and could emerge as a starter in Seattle's offense.
Similar to Horston, Zia Cooke showed her potential in her WNBA debut. The guard out of South Carolina scored 22 total fantasy points (14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) in just 15 minutes and has received praise from head coach Curt Miller for her scoring ability and defensive playmaking in the past. The Sparks may have a crowded backcourt at the moment, with guards Jordin Canada and Lexie Brown both playing more minutes than Cooke in the debut, but Zia's impact in game one did not go unnoticed. Once Jasmine Thomas returns from injury we can revisit this conversation but for now, go pick up Zia Cooke!
Through the Mercury's first two games of the season, Sutton has combined for 40 fantasy points. What's even more impressive is that she's doing it coming off of the bench. Even though Sug doesn't start, she sure is seeing starter minutes — averaging 28 minutes played so far. Like Cooke and the return of Jasmine Thomas, Sutton's role will change if Skylar Diggins-Smith makes a return to the Phoenix rotation after maternity leave.
In just two games with the Chicago Sky, Alanna Smith has recorded new career highs in scoring and blocked shots. She stuffed the stat sheet vs the Lynx, recording 15 points, four rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and an assist. She's averaging 22 fantasy points a game on 18 minutes per game and with a bigger role in Chicago than she’s had in the past, 2023 may be Smith’s breakout year.
Starting this Friday, the Wings will play three games in five days. Hello, fantasy points. Dallas' rotation seems to be a work in progress with three players recording 34+ minutes played in their win over Atlanta. The encouraging thing, however, is that 10 different players logged minutes including Siegrist, which means head coach Latricia Trammell should present Maddy with an opportunity to show what she can do. After all, she did average 24 points and nine rebounds during her time at Villanova.
After getting traded to Phoenix from New York in the offseason, Onyenwere appears to already be entrenched in the Mercury rotation, starting the first two games and averaging 28 minutes played per game and 30 total fantasy points combined. Her versatility and ability to rebound also benefit her playing time as she can provide valuable minutes when Brittney Griner is on the bench.