Who Will Grab the Spotlight this W Season?

In this engaging conversation, Zena and Layshia share their thoughts on the WNBA General Manager Survey that dropped this week. From there, the duo previews the upcoming WNBA season with bold superlative predictions—from best fit for reality TV and the league’s comedian to top platonic duos, best tunnel fits, and more. They also break down which teams have the strongest backup point guards, who boasts the best depth, and which true bigs are poised to dominate the paint. Plus, the crew reflects on legendary WNBA center Tina Charles, who has announced her retirement. No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/ Rundown (times are approximate): 00:00 Intro 00:39 WNBA GM survey favors Aces 10:59 Best Fit To Be On Reality TV 11:14 Layshia’s pick: Dijonai Carrington 13:39 Zena’s pick: A’ja Wilson 14:37 League Comedian  15:01 Zena’s pick: Courtney Williams 15:44 Layshia’s pick: Erica Wheeler 19:49 Best Platonic Duo 20:32 Layshia pick: Brittney Griner and Saniya Rivers 24:14 Zena’s pick: Georgia Amoore and Rori Harmon 24:22 Zena’s pick: Flau'jae Johnson and Natisha Hiedeman 25:44 Best Tunnel Fit 26:28 Zena’s pick: Rickea Jackson 00:29:25:18 Layshia's pick: Courtney Williams 32:02 Best Quote 32:30 Layshia’s pick: Kelsey Plum 33:53 Zena’s pick: Kelsey Plum 35:09  Best Backup Point Guard 36:12 Layshia’s pick: Ty Harris  38:08 Zena’s pick: Erica Wheeler 40:08 Best True Big 41:06 Zena’s pick: Shakira Austin 42:19 Layshia’s pick: Brionna Jones 45:26 Best Team Depth 45:47 Layshia’s pick: Sky and Liberty 49:15 Zena’s pick: Liberty 52:19 Most Impactful Rookie 53:15 Zena’s pick: Flau’jae Johnson 54:50 Layshia’s picks: Flau'jae Johnson 56:33 Tina Charles announces retirement Related links and articles: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7244923/2026/04/30/caitlin-clark-injury-indiana-fever-dallas-wings/ by James Boyd https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7242329/2026/04/29/angel-reese-atlanta-dream-chicago-sky/ by Annie Costabile https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7251709/2026/05/04/wnba-preseason-power-rankings-aces/ by Sabreena Merchant https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7252869/2026/05/04/natasha-cloud-chicago-sky-hailey-van-lith/ by Annie Costabile https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7253615/2026/05/04/liberty-sabrina-ionescu-injury-sidelined/ by Annie Costabile Follow and listen to the audio podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/no-offseason-the-athletic-womens-basketball-show/id1699815468 Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube: @No-Offseason -Instagram: @tanooffseason [https://www.instagram.com/tanooffseason] -TikTok: @no_offseason [https://www.tiktok.com/@no_offseason] Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings -Layshia on IG: @layshiac -Annie on X: @anniecostabile -Produced by Taneka Burrell -Executive Produced by Andrea B. Scott Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports Hub: https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/?guccounter=1 Full Episodes Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm7txmok7cpMB3YlgkwrT2E0 Shorts Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5UWQzuMYdm72uhBjsd24rsh5teZtgUpS Thumbnail: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / USA TODAY Sport via Imagn Images © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images / USA TODAY Sport via Imagn Images