The Dream are coming off a 2023 season in which they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Wings. Rhyne Howard, a star player, joined Florida’s coaching staff during the offseason. As part of the deal, the Dream traded a third-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to the Wings.

While Crystal Dangerfield is a former Rookie of the Year, she is not guaranteed to make the Dream team. Her contract is unprotected, and she will most likely compete with Destanni Henderson for the Dream’s final roster spot.

The Minnesota Lynx selected Dangerfield with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. During her rookie season in 2020, she averaged 16.2 points per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.

Dangerfield spent two seasons with the Lynx before being cut during 2022 training camp. She split the 2022 season between the Indiana Fever and the New York Liberty before being traded to the Wings in the offseason of 2023. Last season, she appeared in 35 games for the Wings, including 32 starts, and averaged slightly more than 27 minutes per game. She averaged 8.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 42.5 percent, a three-point percentage of 29 percent, and an 81.5 percent free throw rate.

Tanisha Wright and the Dream are looking to win this season

Perhaps the most telling indication of the Dream’s plans for this season came during the 2024 WNBA Draft. Although the Dream had three draft picks at Nos. 12, 20, and 32, it was announced that all three, Nyadiew Puoch, Isobel Borlase, and Matilde Villa, would remain overseas for the 2024 WNBA season.

The Dream had no intention of bringing so many rookies to training camp and making them compete for a roster spot. This is a veteran-heavy team looking to make the playoffs. This ensures that the Dream keeps the rights to those players in the future.

The Dream had a relatively busy offseason. Their most notable acquisition was point guard Jordin Canada, whom they acquired in a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Sparks. Canada is expected to be the team’s starting point guard.

They also strengthened their frontcourt depth by re-signing Nia Coffey and bringing in former Hall of Famer Tina Charles. Charles was out of the league last season. They also increased wing depth by introducing Aerial Powers.

The Dream’s starting lineup is likely to include Canada and Allisha Gray in the backcourt, Rhyne Howard and Tina Charles in the forwards, and Cheyenne Parker at center. This will be Tanisha Wright’s third year in charge. The Dream finished 14-22 in her first season in 2022 and did not make the playoffs. Last season, they were 19-21 and lost in the first round.