The Minnesota Lynx are the only contender who did not make a big move this offseason. The New York Liberty added Natasha Cloud, the Las Vegas Aces traded Kelsey Plum for Jewell Loyd, and the Indiana Fever signed DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard and traded for Sophie Cunningham.
Minnesota had a comparatively quiet offseason, keeping the core that carried them to Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals together. The biggest changes to the roster are that Cecilia Zandalasini was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft, Dorka Juhasz will sit out the 2025 season, and Jessica Shepard is back in Minnesota.
The latter may not seem like a huge move for the Lynx, but it could make a real difference in their title chase.
Jessica Shepard could be an impactful player for the Lynx
After narrowly losing in the finals last season, the Minnesota Lynx are determined to make up for that loss and win the 2025 WNBA championship. Napheesa Collier is in great shape, coming off great WNBA and Unrivaled seasons. She should be one of the top competitors for the Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Star power alone is often not enough to win a championship, though. Depth matters just as much, and the Lynx bolstered their bench by re-signing Jessica Shepard.
Shepard previously spent four seasons with the Minnesota Lynx in 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Particularly in her last two seasons with the team, she was a key rotational player, averaging over eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists in both seasons.
Shepard took off the 2024 season, but now seems ready to help the Lynx win again. She is coming off a strong season in Greece, where she averaged 26.4 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals over 23 games with Athinaikos.
In her first preseason game with the Lynx, Shepard looked ready to bring big numbers to the WNBA as well. With Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith out, Shepard and Karlie Samuelson got the start. In 24 minutes, Shepard almost recorded a triple-double with 10 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.
With Juhasz sitting out the season and Hines-Allen not on the roster anymore, the Lynx lost most of their key big depth from last season. Shepard can help solve that issue, giving the Lynx an experienced WNBA veteran to rely on off the bench.
The Lynx have a strong roster
The Lynx should be one of the best teams in the league once again. Their starting lineup of Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Napheesa Collier, and Alanna Smith is strong on both ends of the floor and has experience playing with each other.
The Lynx’s key players off the bench should be Karlie Samuelson, Natisha Hiedeman, Diamond Miller, Marieme Badiane, and Jessica Shepard. If Shepard’s 2024-25 season and preseason game with the Lynx were any indication, she will be a key piece of Minnesota’s success this season.