The daily news and notes around the WNBA have actionable value when applied to fantasy women's basketball. From lineup changes to hot streaks to injury news, check this page regularly for updates from ESPN's fantasy analysts Eric Moody and André Snellings. It's never too late to sign up for your own ESPN league. Create or join a league, and play for free today!
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August 7: Eight pickups to boost your playoff hopes
Eric Moody: The Minnesota Lynx had their 10-game winning streak snapped by the Los Angeles Sparks Thursday night, but they do have Napheesa Collier back. Olivia Miles is putting together a historic rookie season, and the rest of the Lynx lineup has raised its game around her. She just had her fifth career game with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, which ties Diana Taurasi for the third-most such games by a rookie in league history, behind Caitlin Clark (14) and Tamika Catchings (6).
The Indiana Fever have averaged 102.9 points per game over their last nine, the best mark in the league over that stretch. With the standings still tight and several of the top teams facing each other down the stretch, the final weeks could change a lot. And keep in mind that the fantasy playoffs in default leagues start Monday, so now is the time to act.
Fantasy stream team
Alanna Smith, F/C, Dallas Wings (47.6% rostered in ESPN leagues)
Smith has had a limited role in her first season with the Wings, averaging just 12.0 fantasy points in 15.1 minutes per game. However, she erupted for 45 fantasy points in 32 minutes against the Washington Mystics on Thursday. That could be a sign of a larger role, and with Dallas playing again Friday and Sunday, Smith is worth considering as a streamer.
Rae Burrell, G, Sparks (40.7% rostered)
Burrell should continue to see plenty of minutes and remain fantasy relevant with Kelsey Plum no longer on the roster. Over her last five games, Burrell has averaged 28.0 FPPG in 31.4 MPG, making her one of the top streaming options at guard this weekend.
NaLyssa Smith, F/C, Las Vegas Aces (40.2%)
Smith has been a solid contributor for the Aces this season. She has scored at least 26 fantasy points while playing 31 or more minutes in three consecutive games. Las Vegas ranks third in offensive rating, and Smith is a great way to get exposure to one of the league's most explosive offenses.
Megan DiLeo, F/C, Portland Fire (38.6%)
The veteran center has been especially productive for fantasy managers over her last five games, averaging 26.0 fantasy points in 26.8 minutes per game over that stretch and contributing across the board with points, rebounds and blocks.
Erica Wheeler, G, Sparks (27.6%)
Wheeler should continue to play an important role in the Sparks rotation like Burrell with Plum no longer in Los Angeles. Wheeler has scored at least 23 fantasy points in five consecutive games, including one with 31 points.
Tiffany Hayes, G, Valkyries (15.7%)
Hayes' fantasy production has been inconsistent this season, but she has averaged 25.3 fantasy points per game over her last three. On Friday, she faces a Dallas team that ranks fifth in defensive rating before a more favorable matchup Sunday against the Sparks, who rank 14th.
Diamond Miller, G, Connecticut Sun (7.2%)
Miller is playing her best basketball of the season, scoring at least 20 fantasy points in four straight games, including 35 against the Wings on August 2. She averaged 25.5 MPG over that stretch and gets a favorable matchup Friday against a Phoenix Mercury team that ranks 12th in defensive rating.
Makayla Timpson, F/C, Fever (2.7%)
Timpson's role has grown as the Fever make their playoff push. She has scored at least 18 fantasy points in four of her last five games while playing 18 or more minutes in each, including two games with at least 28 minutes. Indiana has one of the league's hottest offenses, and Timpson offers a solid way to get exposure to it.
August 3: Four players to target in free agency
Andre Snellings: The WNBA trade deadline was Sunday, and there were a few big deals with fantasy implications. The Kelsey Plum trade was the biggest deal, but in the space below you'll see a couple mentions of players rostered in less than half of ESPN leagues whose role looks to be expanded after the trades.
This is a busy week in the W with 21 total games. The lightest day is Tuesday with just one game, but there are four games each on Wednesday and Sunday and three games on the other four days.
The fantasy playoffs are on the horizon, and the final push is on to get your teams into the postseason. As always, we help you keep your team operating at its best by pointing out some players that may be available on your free agency wire that are performing well enough to be worthy of rostering.
Sydney Taylor, G, Chicago Sky (Rostered in 49.5% of ESPN Leagues): Based on her meteoric rise in roster percentage, this is likely the last time Taylor will be in this article. And it should be, as Taylor has played herself into every-day-fantasy-starter contention. Taylor has averaged 19.9 PPG over her past nine outings, including explosions for 29 and 31 points in two of her last three games.
Rae Burrell, G, Los Angeles Sparks (36.7%): Burrell has been starting for the Sparks while Plum was injured, and with Plum's trade Burrell should be the starter for the foreseeable future. In her past nine games, Burrell has averaged 17.2 PPG, 3.4 APG, 2.6 RPG, 2.2 3PG and 1.3 SPG in 32.4 MPG. This is a reasonable estimate for her production moving forward.
Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F/C, Connecticut Sun (40.2%): Nelson-Ododa is another who was already playing at a high level but now has a larger, more consistent opportunity after a trade. The Sun traded Aneesah Morrow to the Toronto Tempo, solidifying Nelson-Ododa's role as an impact big even once Brittney Griner (knee) is able to return. In her last five games, Nelson-Ododa has averaged 13.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.6 BPG and 1.2 SPG with double-digit boards in three of the five contests.
Megan DiLeo, C, Portland Fire (37.5%): DiLeo's double-digit scoring streak was snapped at nine games when she managed only five points against the Fever last week, but she bounced back with a 19-point, 8-rebound effort against the Sparks on Sunday. She has been back for four games after a two-game absence, and she has scored at least 19 points in three of the four games with averages of 16.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.5 3PG and 1.0 BPG in that span.
August 2: Kelsey Plum traded to Phoenix
Eric Moody: With Sunday's trade, Kelsey Plum's move to the Phoenix Mercury lowers her rest-of-season ceiling. She is averaging 23.9 PPG and a career-high 6.4 APG, but sharing touches with Alyssa Thomas (8.3 APG) and Kahleah Copper (20.9 PPG) could cut into both numbers.
Back in Los Angeles, Ariel Atkins should take on more of the scoring, while Erica Wheeler will handle more playmaking and Monique Akoa Makani (9.4 PPG, 43.6% 3-point shooting) should see more minutes and shots.
July 31: Tempo trade for Aneesah Morrow
Eric Moody: The Toronto Tempo acquired forward Aneesah Morrow from the Connecticut Sun in a trade on Friday for the rights to forward Maria Kliundikova and a 2028 second-round pick. Morrow, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 draft, has averaged 25.9 fantasy points in 23.2 minutes per game. She gives Toronto immediate frontcourt help and addresses a major weakness for a team ranking near the bottom of the league in rebounding.
Morrow's fantasy value should be similar in Toronto, with the potential for a short-term boost in minutes while Isabelle Harrison remains sidelined by a knee injury.
