WNBA 2023 Season Preview: Dream Set For Improvement This Season?

The Atlanta Dream are slated to kick off their season tonight, carrying on the momentum that was built last season. The team finished 14-22, sitting right outside the last playoff spot and missing them for the fourth year in a row. Although 14-22 may not look good by some metrics, we must be reminded that this is a franchise that has picked in the top four in three of the past four years. If there was a time for the Dream to make a big leap, it is most definitely in 2023.

Reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard will grow as the leader of the Dream this season, expanding on her rookie season where she averaged 16 points per game and gave the Dream at least some offensive firepower. Averaging just over two three-pointers per game last season, Howard was the go-to offensive player on the team and can only get better from here.

The team will have to find other players to surround Howard with on the offensive end, as the Dream finished averaging just 78.5 points per game, ranked 11^th out of 12 teams. Much of their offensive struggle came from scoring inside the arc, where they finished with a 42% field goal percentage, 2^nd worst in the league. Turnovers also played a big part in the team’s season in 2022, as they had the most turnovers per game than any team in the league. However, with head coach Tanisha Wright entering her second season at the helm of the Dream, she has already made the team look better than they have been in recent years.

The shining spot for the Dream last season was their defense, where they allowed their opponents to score 81.5 points per game, placing them in 5^th in that category in the league. The interior defense, anchored by Cheyenne Parker, was the place that the Dream excelled in the most, while their perimeter defense really needed to be worked on in the offseason.

All signs are looking up for the Dream this season, and don’t be surprised if they wind up in a playoff spot come September.

Team Roster