#WNBA season is here: Breaking down contenders, pretenders

After navigating through the obstacles caused by the coronavirus pandemic over the past four months, the WNBA is poised to kick off the 2020 season, though more than a dozen players have opted out for either health concerns or to spend time fighting for social justice. Teams reported to the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., the first week of July and the shortened 22-game season begins Saturday. Here’s a look at the league landscape:

Top contenders

Washington Mystics: The defending champions are missing LaToya Sanders, Natasha Cloud and Tina Charles, who all opted out, while reigning MVP Elena Delle Donne, who has Lyme Disease but was denied a medical exemption to sit out, has not committed to playing. The Mystics will rely on 2019 Finals MVP Emma Meeseman, who averaged 21.8 points per game in the 2019 postseason.

Seattle Storm: Featuring 2018 league MVP Breanna Stewart, who missed last season with a torn Achilles, guards Sue Bird and Jewell Loyd and forward Natasha Howard, Seattle will be formidable in the West.

Los Angeles Sparks: G Brittney Sykes, F/C Kristine Anigew and G Seimone Augustus will lead LA, though the Sparks will miss Chiney Ogwumike and Kristi Oliver, who both opted out.

Chicago Sky: With Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley and Diamond DeShields in the backcourt, the Sky feature one of the league’s best trios.

The next level

Phoenix Mercury: Diana Taurasi is back after missing last season due to injuries and the team acquired star guard Skylar Diggins-Smith to go with All-Star center Brittney Griner. However, losing forwards DeWanna Bonner (traded) and Jessica Breland (opt-out) could hurt their title chances.

Connecticut Sun: F Alyssa Thomas and G Jasmine Thomas will be huge assets to DeWanna Bonner, a three-time All-Star who comes East after 10 seasons in Phoenix. But missing All-Star Jonquel Jones (opt-out), Briann January (opt-out) and Natisha Hiedeman (quarantining) will hurt their shot at a second straight finals run.

Las Vegas Aces: Not having Liz Cambage and Kelsey Plum, who both opted out, will hurt, but with star F A’ja Wilson, the Aces have a good chance at the playoffs.

Minnesota Lynx: Looking to make the playoffs for a 10th straight season, the Lynx are led by reigning rookie of the year Napheesa Collier and 2017 MVP Sylvia Fowles, though the free-agency loss of longtime guard Seimone Augustus might be costly.

Bottom dwellers

Atlanta Dream: The Dream were already one of the WNBA’s worst teams and now will be absent returning starters Renee Montgomery and Tiffany Hayes, who both opted out.

Indiana Fever: With veteran All-Star Candice Dupree and guards Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians, the Fever have a chance to surprise.

New York Liberty: While No. 1 draft pick Sabrina Ionescu might lift the Liberty in the future, being without Asia Durr (opt-out) and Rebecca Allen (opt-out) might be an insurmountable challenge for an extremely young team.

Dallas Wings: The Wings are committed to rebuilding around second-year star Arike Ogunbowale after trading Diggins-Smith during the offseason.