By @btdavis25

Five teams in the Western Conference in the WNBA have one target in sight, the two-time champion Las Vegas Aces. The Aces, though, look to be unfazed, returning most of their roster from last season, with the exception of Candace Parker, who retired. Here is a look at the teams in the West.

Dallas Wings (2023 record: 22-18) - The Wings had a franchise-best season in 2023, making the playoffs losing to Las Vegas in the semifinals. They fortified a group that has six of their top seven coming back, by adding last year draft picks Stphanie Soares and Lou Lopex-Senechal back from injuries. Another interesting newcomer is wing Jaelyn Brown, who found success overseas after going undrafted in 2021. Brown led the team in scoring in their last preseason game. Their top returner is guard Arike Ogunbowale. She averaged 18.7 points last year, good for fourth in the year. The Wings are one of the best rebounding teams in the WNBA thanks to the 6-for-7 tandem of Tierra McCowan and Kalani Brown and the 6-foot-2 duo of Natasha Howard and Satou Sabilly. Although, they will be without Sabilly until after the Olympic break as she recovers from a shoulder injury. Rookie Jacy Sheldon will get a chance at seeing some significant playing time.

Las Vegas Aces (2023 record: 34-6) - The Aces come back with a stacked roster as they look to become the first team to three-peat since the Houston Comets back in the early days of the league. The one major defection is the retirement of surefire Basketball Hall of Famer Candace Parker. They return most of the same cast, headed by MVP candidate A’ja Wilson, who will once again be on the shortlist among the league’s best players. The backcourt is formidable with Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. They acquired even more scoring help by drafting Dyaisha Fair, third-place on the all-time women’s scoring list. Add to that, the Aces have arguably the best coach in the league in Becky Hammon.

Los Angeles Sparks (2023 record: 17-23) - The Sparks hope this offseason can be the start of them pulling out of their tailspin. Stanford star Cameron Brink, who’s not just a traditional post player, should translate just nicely to the pro game. Their other first-round pick, Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson, is a 6-foot-2 wing with the size and strength to score at all three levels. The loss of Nneka Ogwumike should be somewhat offset by the return of Dearica Hamby from maternity leave. Lexie Brown and Zia Cooke are guards who the Sparks are counting on. Brown missed most of the 2023 season due to illness, but was productive when she played. Cooke was making strides by the end of the season.

Minnesota Lynx (2023 record: 19-21) - The Lynx, who just scraped into the playoffs last year, may be poised to be one of the surprise teams. They have one of the most underrated players around in forward Naphessa Collier. The UConn product was named to the All-WNBA team after finishing in the top-10 in scoring. Second-year players Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhasz are ready to take the next step, although Juhasz is being slowed due to an injury. Reinforcements came from acquiring guard Natasha Hiederman in a trade with Connecticut, and signing guard Courtney Williams and forward Alanna Smith from Chicago in free agency. The Lynx selected Alissa Pill of Utah after trading down with Chicago and passing up a chance to draft Angel Reese.

Phoenix Mercury (2023 record: 9-31) - After a miserable year, the Mercury underwent one of the most radical roster transformations in the league. Among the players who left are center Megan Gustafson, forward Brianna Turner and guard Moriah Jefferson. They picked up guards Kahleah Copper, who shone for Chicago last season, veteran Natasha Cloud, a defensive whiz who can also score and Rebecca Allen, tabbed to be one of the leading contenders for the Sixth Player award. Coming back is 41-year-old Diana Taurasi, who is out to prove there is still some gas in the tank. Their progress may be delayed due to injuries to Brittany Griner and Sophie Cunningham.

Seattle Storm (2023 record: 11-29) - Another team looking to reclaim past glory is the Storm. They may do so, bringing in Nneka Ogwumike and a rejuvenated Skylar Diggins-Smith to a core that includes perennial All-Star guard Jewell Loyd and defense stalwart Ezi Magbegor. The defense will also get better by the addition of rookie Nika Muhl, who did an outstanding job on Caitlin Clark in the NCAA Tournament.