No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Layshia and Annie talk through WNBA teams that are in build mode. From finding the right mix of rookies and vets to handling expansion challenges, they look at how Portland, Toronto, Washington, Connecticut, and Seattle are figuring out who they are in the 2026 season. Plus, they get into coaching, team strategies, what success looks like, and why some teams have the potential to surprise sooner than expected.Plus — our take on the NCAA’s push to expand the tournament.REFERENCES: NCAA basketball tournaments closing in on 76-team March Madness starting in 2027: Sources by Ralph D. Russo

In this episode, we welcome our new women’s basketball writer and co-host, Annie Costabile! Chantel and Annie kick things off with a look inside the Fever training camp, joined by Colts beat writer James Boyd, who has been inside the camp. James shares insight on Caitlin Clark’s return and highlights key players who could step up to ease her ball-handling load—allowing her to thrive off the ball.Next, Chantel and Annie turn their attention to New York, where head coach Chris DeMarco is working to establish a new identity for the Liberty heading into the season. From there, they break down the Chicago Sky in their post-Angel era, exploring whether their latest retooling efforts will pay off—and what might be different this time around.Finally, we wrap things up with a “get to know Annie” segment.REFERENCES: Raven Johnson, Caitlin Clark reunite with Fever after wave-off: ‘Maybe I needed that’ by James BoydCaitlin Clark stays Fever’s top ballhandler, but Raven Johnson should alleviate pressure by James BoydFever vs. Liberty preseason takeaways: First looks at Caitlin Clark, New York’s bigs by Annie CostabileIndiana Fever, Aliyah Boston strike $6.3 million extension; highest total value in WNBA history: Sources by James BoydLiberty starter Natasha Cloud remains unsigned with WNBA preseason underway by Annie Costabile

Zena and Layshia break down the moment that got everyone talking: was it fair to ask Azzi Fudd about her personal relationship with Paige Bueckers? They unpack the context behind the question, the reactions it sparked, and the broader conversation around how female athletes are covered.  We also examine the extent of Paige’s influence on the Wings’ decision to select Azzi.Then, we pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to be in WNBA training camp—navigating the jump from college to the pros. The conversation captures the mix of anxiety and excitement that defines the experience, along with the vital role of communication and teamwork and making lasting impressions.Lastly, the duo wraps things up, questioning why veteran Natasha Cloud has yet to be signed.REFERENCES: How will the Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd on-court reunion go for the Dallas Wings? by Sabreena Merchant

Zena, Sabreena and Chantel are back to talk through all the latest transfer portal updates - including Audi Crooks’ commitment to Oklahoma State, Kymora Johnson’s decision to stay at UVA, and Justice Carlton’s move to another city in Texas.Then, the crew breaks down their way too early predictions for the 2027 WNBA Draft Class – where players like Juju Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker, Audi Crooks and more may land in the pecking order come next April.Plus, our favorite training camp cliches.REFERENCES: USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo headline 2027 WNBA Draft class by Sabreena MerchantSign up for the No Offseason Newsletter!

Sabreena and Chantel take you inside Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles’ introductory press conferences in Dallas and Minnesota, and in particular - an awkward moment where Azzi was asked about her status with Paige. Then, they dive into the latest entries and commitments from the NCAA transfer portal.Next, it’s onto Winners & Losers of the WNBA Offseason, through the lens of how money is changing the landscape of women’s hoops. They break down A’ja Wilson’s historic contract, the smart free agency moves of Dallas and Indiana, why the Lynx are both winners and losers, and why international talent is flocking to the W more and more.Plus, Sabreena and Chantel’s favorite training camp contracts.REFERENCES: A’ja Wilson, Paige Bueckers’ aura, Lynx among WNBA offseason winners and losers by Sabreena Merchant and Chantel JenningsA’ja Wilson signs 3-year, supermax contract; richest in WNBA history: Source by Sabreena MerchantUSC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo headline 2027 WNBA Draft class by Sabreena MerchantSign up for the No Offseason Newsletter!#wnba #wbb #ajawilson #azzifudd #dallaswings #lynx

Zena and Layshia break down the 2026 WNBA Draft, drilling into the story behind Golden State trading Flau’jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm, and detailing why Seattle is actually a better fit for Flau’jae, plus the reality behind trades as business.Then, they turn their attention to the wild past week of free agency signings and movement – highlighting how these new rosters might come together on the court, with a special focus on the New York Liberty, the Dallas Wings, the Minnesota Lynx, the Chicago Sky, and the Seattle Storm.They wrap up by talking about the story behind the story of Raven Johnson and the Indiana Fever – the made-up beef with Caitlin Clark from back in the NCAA day, the racism lurking beneath the surface, and the real story of how excited Raven is to be joining the squad.REFERENCES: Raven Johnson, Caitlin Clark reunite with Fever after wave-off: ‘Maybe I needed that’ by James BoydSign up for the No Offseason Newsletter!

After months of speculation, the final picks for the 2026 WNBA Draft are in -- and the No Offseason crew is breaking it all down. Join Zena, Sabreena, and Chantel as they dig into the draft's biggest winners and losers: did Dallas make the right choice with Azzi Fudd? What’s the strategy behind the Mystics’ six picks? And was Golden State’s trade of Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle a smart move? The crew also talks team fit, including who’s primed to get minutes right away.REFERENCES: Dallas Wings select Azzi Fudd with No. 1 pick of 2026 WNBA Draft by Chantel Jennings and Sabreena MerchantGrading every 2026 WNBA first-round draft pick from Azzi Fudd to Lauren Betts by Sabreena Merchant and Chantel Jenningshttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7194986/2026/04/14/wnba-draft-winners-losers-ucla-engelbert-fudd/Sign up for the No Offseason Newsletter!

Chantel and Sabreena break down the massive impact of the college basketball transfer portal, where more than 1,200 Division I players have entered their names. But where will Audi Crooks go? Can South Carolina Gamecocks land Kymora Johnson? And how will the UCLA Bruins approach the portal? The duo also discuss how coaches are adapting to this new reality and examine which programs are feeling the greatest impact.We close out with predictions for who will go No. 1 in the WNBA Draft.REFERENCES: Virginia, Amaka Agugua-Hamilton part ways after ending 8-year NCAA Tournament drought by Grace RaynorVirginia hires Richmond’s Aaron Roussell as new women’s basketball coach by Sabreena MerchantEight Tennessee women’s basketball players are transferring. None are returning by Rebecca TauberWomen’s basketball portal rankings: With more than 1,000 names in, who can make the most impact? by Chantel Jennings