The Money Line: Odds, predicted 2017 WNBA champion

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: The WNBA Championship Trophy seen during the LA Sparks 2016 WNBA Championship Celebration at LA Live on October 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: The WNBA Championship Trophy seen during the LA Sparks 2016 WNBA Championship Celebration at LA Live on October 24, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerritt Clark/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 12: Brittney Griner
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 12: Brittney Griner

Phoenix Mercury (+300)

Our first surprise on the odds table is right here. Though the Mercury made the semifinals last season, that shouldn’t distract you that they trudged to a 16-18 record in the regular season. Vegas clearly thinks that Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner are enough to make this team a legit contender, but its worth noting that in the WNBA General Manager voting the Mercury didn’t finish in the top four of teams other GM’s thought would win the championship. The team did finished in the top three in effective field goal percentage, true shooting percentage and offensive pace, but clearly this team’s title window is closing.