WNBA GMs pick Paige Bueckers over Clark and Wilson as franchise cornerstone

The WNBA's annual GM survey dropped Tuesday, and the headline number is loud: 33% of general managers picked Paige Bueckers as the player they'd build a franchise around. Caitlin Clark and A'ja Wilson tied for second at 20% each. A year ago, that franchise vote went to Clark.

Bueckers is heading into her second season after winning Rookie of the Year. The Dallas Wings just added Azzi Fudd to pair her former UConn running mate with Bueckers, and the Wings open Saturday in Indiana against — yes — Clark. The first GM survey pick will face the previous one on opening weekend.

The MVP vote, meanwhile, was a different story. A'ja Wilson took 60% to Breanna Stewart's 27%. Wilson was the MVP last year. The Aces won the title last year. Three more wins to start 2026 and Las Vegas breaks the 2001 Sparks' all-time regular-season win streak. The franchise vote is about the future. The MVP vote says the present still belongs to A'ja.