3 Reasons Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers Could Upset Old Guard with Title This Season

Entering this 2026 season, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Paige Bueckers continue to be the ones drawing the most fans to the WNBA.

That has, at least for the Indiana Fever superstar, not been appreciated, particularly from the older guard that currently plays in the league, as well as those who came before.

The idea was that she was unnecessarily getting most of the attention despite not having proved anything in the professional circle. On top of that, what compounded matters was that veterans continued to win championships.

New fans believed that Clark, along with Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers, is a step above most of the older players. They also believe that the latter have experience and time to develop their skills, which is why they are ahead.

Even heading into this season, the likes of A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart are touted as championship favorites, as their respective squads are loaded to the hilt.

However, with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement falling into place this season, most of the players were free agents. That allowed teams to lure top players with million-dollar salaries.

Clark, Reese, and Bueckers have also become beneficiaries of this free agency flurry, to the extent that they are set up to contend for titles. If either of them does, it could upset the old guard.

Caitlin Clark’s Fever banking on continuity and smart additions

Last season, Caitlin Clark‘s injuries stopped her from being a part of the stellar run the Indiana Fever enjoyed to the semifinals. This season, the hope is that a healthy team will be good enough to take the next step.

That is why the organization banked on continuity and signed Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Sophie Cunningham, and Damiris Dantas as soon as free agency opened.

They could not bring back Brianna Turner and Natasha Howard, but they signed Monique Billings, Myisha Hines-Allen, and Ty Harris to take their places.

Out of the latter three, Billings has experience playing with Mitchell and Caitlin Clark, whereas Harris knows head coach Stephanie White‘s system well.

This reliance on continuity will not only make it easier for the Fever to get a jumpstart on their opponents, but they can also continue on their path even if injuries derail some players.

Their draft may not have been met with applause, but the organization knows what the team lacks and selected players who they think will help them fill those holes.

If an injured Fever team could give the likes of A’ja Wilson and her eventual champion Las Vegas Aces a fright, this slightly retooled squad could be feeling confident that this year, they can win it all.

Angel Reese makes the Dream a contender

One of the teams a Caitlin Clark-less Fever defeated in that surprising run to the semifinals was the Atlanta Dream. That was surprising, as the latter’s offseason acquisitions were supposed to make them championship contenders.

But that first-round loss was a learning point for the star-studded Dream. As soon as the CBA was ratified, the first call they made was to the Chicago Sky.

Considering how Reese’s time ended with them last season, the Sky gladly accepted a deal that turned Chi Barbie into ATL Barbie. More importantly, the Dream received that one addition that turns them into surefire championship contenders.

The 6’3″ forward’s most important skill is rebounding, and that is where the team struggled last season. On top of that, Reese’s ability to bring the ball up the court will allow them to run alternative schemes.

The 23-year-old has steadily improved. But what has not changed is the fire inside her to win. Angel Reese has made the Dream preseason favorites.

Paige Bueckers and Wings’ rebuilt roster will surprise a lot of people

Other than Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers is also known for being the one who has brought millions of new fans to women’s basketball.

Last season, those fans cringed when they saw the UConn star singlehandedly lead a poor Wings team to finish at the bottom of the league. What that did was give them a chance to reset the roster.

They cored Arike Ogunbowale, retained most of their young core, but crucially, signed two bigs whose very presence will transform this team.

Reigning defensive player of the year Alanna Smith will not just impact the team’s ability to stop opposing teams, but her offensive ability will help stretch the floor.

Along with her, the Dallas Wings also lured her Minnesota Lynx teammate, Jessica Shepard. The latter is familiar with Ogunbowale from their Notre Dame championship-winning days.

More importantly, the two former Lynx bigs bring both offensive production and defensive solidity to a team that desperately needs it. Along with drafting Bueckers’ girlfriend, Azzi Fudd, first overall, the team is now built to win a championship.

If either one of these three young superstars wins the championship this year, it will be the official change of guard for women’s basketball. The three have already made their mark for Team USA, leaving director Sue Bird with a selection headache ahead of the FIBA World Cup in September.

With a win, the old guard will finally be replaced by younger superstars as champions, something that the NBA has found it hard to replicate. These three are collectively the face of the WNBA and will push the league toward global fandom.

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