Offseason Outlook: The Minnesota Lynx’s biggest needs on the road back to WNBA Finals 

Minnesota was unquestionably one of the best teams in the WNBA during the 2024 season. Though somewhat surprising, the Lynx finished the regular season with a 30-10 record, ranked fourth in offensive rating and second in defensive rating, and were just one controversial foul call away from hanging their fifth championship banner. 

Napheesa Collier established herself as one of the best two-way players in the league, finishing second in MVP voting and taking home the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Lynx have established themselves as a team capable of contending at the highest level despite not featuring the same kind of star power as other teams. 

After coming so close to winning the championship in 2024, fans should expect the Lynx to return hungry for revenge and more success. Returning to the WNBA Finals is not an easy feat, though, and, like every other team, the Lynx have some things to figure out. 

Who are the Lynx’s major free agents? 

The Lynx’s major free agents this offseason are Natisha Hiedeman (unrestricted), Myisha Hines-Allen (unrestricted), and Cecilia Zandalasini (reserved). 

Hiedeman was the team’s backup point guard, playing around 15 minutes per game and averaging 4.9 points on streaky shooting, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. It was her least productive season since her rookie year in 2019. As an unrestricted free agent, she might look at teams that could offer her some more playing time, and the Lynx could use a backup point guard who is a bit more consistent. So, it would be no surprise to see Hiedeman on a different team next season and a new backup point guard in Minnesota.

Hines-Allen came to Minnesota about halfway through the season after being traded from the Washington Mystics. She provided some forward depth off the bench, averaging 7.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 13 regular season games. Teams will undoubtedly show interest in Hines-Allen during free agency, and the Lynx might not be willing to match every offer. 

Zandalasini returned to the WNBA for the first time since 2018, and provided the Lynx with size, experience, and shooting off the bench. If she wants to return to the WNBA for another season, it would be no surprise to see her back in Minnesota. 

The Lynx’s biggest needs

Coming off a run to the WNBA Finals, the Lynx are one of the more complete teams in the league. They were incredibly versatile on both ends of the floor and had great chemistry. Considering that the entire starting five is still under contract and set to return for the next season, that should not change much. Thus, we should not expect the Lynx to make any major moves.

The Lynx already have the foundation to make another push in the 2025 season, but there are always possible upgrades to be made. For one, the Lynx are a rather small team and often struggled with that when Alanna Smith got into foul trouble. 

Dorka Juhasz technically provides good size off the bench, but her playing time decreased notably compared to the previous season, and she did not play much in the playoffs either. Some of that might have to do with an injury she had been dealing with. 

No matter the reason, Jonquel Jones did not meet much resistance from Minnesota’s bigs, averaging almost 18 points per game in the finals. The WNBA features several talented centers, and the Lynx must be equipped to deal with that if they want to win at the highest level.

Other than that, the Lynx could use some improved consistency at the backup point guard spot. 

Questions the Lynx must answer

The biggest question the Lynx must find an answer to this offseason is what they want to do with some of their young players. Diamond Miller, Dorka Juhasz, and Alissa Pili were all high draft picks and are talented young players, but Juhasz was the only one who really contributed to the team’s run to the finals. 

So, the question is who do the Lynx still want to develop and who do they think can help them right now as well as in the future? Miller probably has the highest ceiling, but Juhasz might be able to contribute to winning basketball right now. 

This question goes hand in hand with the upcoming expansion draft. Every team will be allowed to protect six players. The Lynx will most likely protect their starting five, but who will be the sixth player? Will it be Miller because she has the most potential or Juhasz because she is a young player they would like to develop? Or will they go with a veteran, such as Zendalasini? 

What do the Lynx need to return to the WNBA Finals? 

Minnesota may lack the star power some of the other more prominent teams in the league feature, but they made up for that by building a group of players that worked well together and putting them in positions to excel. Several players had career years, and the team was largely healthy. 

So, the most important thing the Lynx need in the 2025 season is just that—they need another MVP-caliber season from Napheesa Collier and see Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, Courtney Williams, and Kayla McBride replicate what they just did. If the core can do that, the Lynx will be in a great position next season.

The Lynx should not have to make many changes but are rather relying on their players’ ability to replicate last season’s success. It would also be a nice bonus if one of Miller and Juhasz could take a significant leap in their third season or if they could land someone who is ready to contribute with their first-round draft pick.