The Atlanta Dream and Phoenix Mercury have been two of the WNBA's most dynamic risers this season, having used the offseason as a springboard to elevate themselves from fringe playoff teams to legitimate postseason threats. With aggressive and calculated roster moves, both franchises took advantage of a star-heavy free agency market and are now reaping the rewards with improved records, on-court cohesion, and a renewed sense of direction.

In a league where parity is rising and every roster spot carries weight, the Dream and Mercury have shown that smart offseason hauls can redefine a franchise’s ceiling.

Atlanta Dream: Currently 2nd in the East and 5th in the league overall, 14-10 record

At 14-10, the Atlanta Dream currently sit 4th in the WNBA standings and second in the Eastern Conference as of this writing. This is a significant improvement over their 2024 campaign, when they finished with a sub-.500 record of just 15-25, enough for an 8th seed, and bowed out early in the postseason. But what sets this team apart now isn’t just their growth; it’s the way behind their acceleration.

Allisha Gray has continued to be a steady force, earning a well-deserved spot as an All-Star starter this season. The veteran guard has grown into her role as both a scorer and leader, thriving in head coach Karl Smesko’s aggressive system. However, the biggest shift came with the high-impact signing of Brittney Griner in the offseason.

After a tumultuous past few seasons marked by injury setbacks, Griner’s decision to join Atlanta surprised many. But the move has paid off handsomely for both sides. Griner has given the Dream an elite interior presence and a reliable starting center, anchoring a much-improved Atlanta defense after losing their starting frontcourt from last year in Tina Charles and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus. Her chemistry with Gray and point guard Jordin Canada has created a versatile inside-out attack that’s difficult to contain.

Griner's arrival has also opened the floor for other contributors to shine. Rhyne Howard, the 2022 Rookie of the Year, has been able to play with more freedom as a perimeter scorer now with Griner providing her with screening capabilities to get more players open. The Dream currently rank among the top five in both defensive rating and second-chance points – a testament to Griner’s influence on both ends of the court.

This season, Atlanta isn't just looking to make the playoffs, but they're aiming to make a mark once they get there.

Phoenix Mercury: Currently 2nd in the West and 3rd in the league overall, 15-8 record

While the Dream made one big splash, the Mercury made several – and they’re paying off even quicker.

Phoenix sits second in the Western Conference with a 15-8 record, trailing only the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. It’s a remarkable rise for a franchise that sub.500 last season and looked rudderless in the wake of roster instability after Diana Taurasi’s retirement and the absence of Brittney Griner, who departed for Atlanta.

Rather than rebuild, the Mercury doubled down on star power. Their front office landed two of the offseason’s biggest names: former Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas and 2023 All-WNBA forward Satou Sabally. Both have been transformational.

Thomas, known for her toughness, versatility, and near triple-double averages, has brought a level of all-around excellence that’s elevated the Mercury’s ceiling. Thomas has been serving as the team’s offensive engine, acting at times as their point guard and main playmaker. Her physicality on defense and elite decision-making have stabilized Phoenix in close games, many of which they’ve won due to her crunch-time brilliance.

Sabally, meanwhile, has returned healthy and dominant. She’s providing much-needed wing scoring and rebounding while defending multiple positions. Her ability to stretch the floor has complemented Thomas perfectly, creating mismatches across the board.

Phoenix wasn’t done after those marquee signings. In what might be one of the savviest moves of the season, the Mercury claimed and signed veteran forward DeWanna Bonner off waivers. The 36-year-old, a former WNBA champion and franchise icon in Phoenix, has provided instant leadership and shot-making, giving the team a battle-tested voice off the bench.

Their offseason signings and together with their homegrown star Kahleah Copper, this revamped Mercury roster has thrived in head coach Nate Tibbetts’ system. They play with pace, move the ball, and now have the defensive personnel to match up with anyone. Even without Griner, who left a huge void in the frontcourt, Phoenix has compensated with a multi-pronged attack and a deep, star-laden rotation.

Phoenix and Atlanta’s smart and bold moves are leading to playoff impact and championship hopes

What the Dream and Mercury have done this season isn’t just about bringing in talent, but it’s about bringing in the right talent.

Atlanta targeted Griner, knowing she could immediately solve their rim protection issues and elevate their pick-and-roll game. Phoenix bet on two of the best two-way forwards in the league and then added a proven winner in Bonner to glue it all together.

These moves weren’t just splashy, they were also strategic. Each franchise assessed its weaknesses, acted decisively in free agency, and built complementary lineups around existing core players. The results have been dramatic and immediate.

With over a month of regular-season basketball left, both the Dream and Mercury are not just aiming to secure playoff spots – both teams are looking to make deep runs.

Atlanta, with its improved defense and emerging stars, could become a dangerous matchup for any top seed. Phoenix, meanwhile, boasts the kind of star-studded, playoff-hardened roster that could upset the status quo and challenge the Lynx or Liberty for the title.

In a WNBA season defined by aggressive movement and team-wide recalibrations, the Dream and Mercury stand out for how quickly and effectively they’ve turned the page. With smart roster building and the boldness to act, both teams have enjoyed good regular seasons thus far and are looking to build on them to bring them to the playoffs.