Los Angeles Sparks
Coach: Michael Cooper
Last season: Went 28-4 to become just the second team in league history to win the WNBA championship; finished in first place in the Western Conference during the regular season.
Key stats: Lisa Leslie ranked second in league in scoring, third in rebounding; Sparks averaged a league-best 76.2 points; allowed an average of 67.6.
Key returners: C Lisa Leslie (league MVP led team with 19.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 2.3 bpg), F DeLisha Milton, F Mwadi Mabika, G Tamecka Dixon (3.9 apg).
Key additions: G Nikki Teasley (via trade from Portland), G Sophia Witherspoon (via trade with Portland), G Rosalind Ross (No. 16 overall draft pick).
Players lost: G Ukari Figgs (traded to Portland); C Rhonda Mapp.
Skinny: The Sparks traded Ukari Figgs and their second-round pick to Portland for Teasley and Witherspoon, a move I'm still scratching my head over. Still, Teasley was one of the top five players in college basketball and will be the Sparks' point guard for years. All signs point to the Sparks repeating as champions this season.

Minnesota Lynx
Coach: Brian Agler
Last season: 12-20; finished sixth in Western Conference and missed playoffs.
Key stat: Katie Smith scored 739 points, 133 more than anyone else in league; Lynx averaged 64.9 ppg; allowed 67.3 ppg.
Key returners: G Katie Smith (led league with 23.1 ppg), G Betty Lennox, F Svetlana Abrosimova (led team with 6.7 rpg, 1.6 spg), C Michele VanGorp.
Key additions: F Tamika Williams (No. 6 overall draft pick), G Shaunzinski Gortman (trade with Charlotte).
Players lost: F Erin Buescher (trade with Charlotte), F Maylana Martin (trade with Charlotte).
Skinny: Abrosimova came in last year and proved that she will be a factor in this league. Smith is one of the best players in the world, and Lennox is young and exciting. Agler has a lot of talent, but Minnesota needs continuity. The Lynx have great shooters, but they have always missed having a true post. They have one now in Tamika Williams.

Phoenix Mercury
Coach: Cynthia Cooper
Last season: 13-19; finished fifth in Western Conference and missed playoffs.
Key stat: Phoenix just one of three teams whose top scorer didn't rank among the top 15 leading scorers in the league; averaged 64.5 ppg; allowed 67.7 ppg.
Key returners: C Maria Stepanova (led team with 6.3 rpg), F/C Jennifer Gillom, (led team with 12.3 ppg) F Lisa Harrison, G Kristen Veal (led team with 4.3 apg), G Brandy Reed.
Key additions: G Tracy Reid (trade with Miami), G Gordana Grubin (trade with Indiana).
Players lost: G Michele Timms (retired), G Bridget Pettis (trade with Indiana), F Trisha Fallon (will not return).
Skinny: This should be a breakout year for center Maria Stepanova. Jennifer Gillom is still a veteran who can score, and Slobodanka Tuvic and Adrain Williams are hoping to take their games to a different level. Things to watch out for are chemistry and youth, especially at the point. Brandy Reed is a great talent, and it'll be interesting to see how her season progresses.

Portland Fire
Coach: Linda Hargrove
Last season: 11-21; finished seventh in Western Conference and missed playoffs.
Key stat: Portland lost its final 10 games of the season; ranked eighth in offense with 65.2 ppg; allowed 68.8 ppg.
Key returners: G Jackie Stiles (Rookie of Year averaged team-high 14.9 ppg), F Kristin Folkl (led team with 7.7 rpg).
Key additions: G Ukari Figgs (trade with Los Angeles), G Gergana Slavtcheva (trade with Los Angeles).
Players lost: G Tully Bevilaqua (questionable for season because of overseas commitments).
Skinny: The Fire are young and have only two players (Kristin Folkl and Vanessa Nygaard) with four years of experience. I don't see Portland making the playoffs but it will be an interesting year.

Sacramento Monarchs
Coach: Maura McHugh
Last season: 20-12; lost (2-1) to Los Angeles in Western Conference finals.
Key stat: Yolanda Griffith was the only player to average double-figures in rebounds; team ranked second in offense with 71.6 ppg; allowed average of 66.8 points.
Key returners: C Yolanda Griffith (led league with 11.2 rpg; posted team highs with 16.2 pg, 2.0 spg), F Ruthie Bolton-Holifield, F Tangela Smith, G Ticha Penicheiro (led league with 7.5 apg), G Kedra Holland-Corn.
Key additions: G Andrea Nagy (trade with New York), G/F Hamchetou Maiga (No. 12 overall draft pick).
Players lost: None.
Skinny: The strength of Sacramento is in its veterans. The starting five is pretty incredible and the Monarchs are very much a contender for the championship. I like everything about this team.

Seattle Storm
Coach: Lin Dunn
Last season: 10-22; finished last (eighth) in Western Conference and missed playoffs.
Key stat: Lauren Jackson was the only player to average double-figures in scoring; team ranked last in offense with 60.0 average; allowed 64.0 points.
Key returners: F Lauren Jackson (led team with 15.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.2 bpg, 1.9 spg), C Simone Edwards, F Jamie Redd, G Sonja Henning (led team with 2.9 apg), G Michelle Marciniak, G Semeka Randall.
Key additions: G Sue Bird (No. 1 overall draft pick), F/C Lucienne Berthieu (No. 19), G Felicia Ragland (No. 28).
Players lost: G Michelle Edwards (retired), G Katy Steding (retired), F Stacey Lovelace (waived).
Skinny: Seattle is very young, talented and has inside-outside capability. The bench is very solid as well. The Storm will be a very good team, but it's going to take time. Putting new faces with young players makes chemistry a factor.

Utah Starzz
Coach: Candi Harvey
Last season: 19-13; swept by Sacramento in Western Conference semifinals.
Key stat: Natalie Williams ranked second in the league in rebounding and 10th in scoring; team ranked third offensively with 68.9 ppg; allowed 68.5 points defensively.
Key returners: F Natalie Williams (led team with 14.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg), F Adrienne Goodson, C Margo Dydek (led team with 3.5 bpg), G Jennifer Azzi (led team with 5.3 apg), G Marie Ferdinand.
Key additions: F Danielle Crockrom (No. 11 overall draft pick), G LaNeishea Caufield (No. 14).
Players lost: G Korie Hlede (traded to New York).
Skinny: Utah is a veteran team that is well coached. The Starzz have good height and can shoot and run. They've always been a good team, but have just underachieved. With Harvey at the helm last year, they got to the playoffs and did well. Expect an even better finish this summer.