WNBA predictions 2017: League general managers pick Lynx to win championship, Elena Delle Donne to win MVP

The Minnesota Lynx are favorites to win their fourth WNBA championship in seven years, according to the league general managers.

The WNBA.com GM poll surveyed each of the 12 WNBA general managers, asking them for their picks for best team, players at each position, coach, and more. The Lynx received 42 percent of the championship votes, with the defending champion Sparks finishing behind them at 25 percent.

The GMs also picked Elena Delle Donne as their preseason MVP, followed by Tina Charles and last year’s MVP Nneka Ogwumike. Kelsey Plum received 11 out of 12 votes for Rookie of the Year.

You can find the full results of the survey here, and they are worth a look. Some interesting tidbits:

• Brittney Sykes received the other Rookie of the Year vote and tied for first with Kaela Davis and Alexis Jones as sleeper rookies expected to make an impact.
• Eight different players received at least one vote for defensive player of the year. Brittany Griner led with four votes, followed by Ogwumike and Sylvia Fowles (two votes each), with Briann January, Kiah Stokes, Breanna Stewart, Elizabeth Williams, and Essence Carson each getting one vote.
• GMs overwhelmingly agreed that Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve is the best overall head coach and the best motivator.
• Maya Moore cleaned up in individual accolades (what a shock), earning the titles of best forward, best finisher, best at getting her own shot, most dangerous in the open floor, and player you’d most want to take a shot with the game on the line.
• The Lynx received more than half the votes for biggest home court advantage, while the Sparks were picked as the most fun team to watch.
• If they were starting a new franchise today, a third of WNBA GMs would want to sign Breanna Stewart over any other player.

Agree with the GMs? Disagree? Let us know. Either way, the season stats Saturday and we’ll start getting some real answers.