WNBA outlook: A team-by-team preview

Here's a glance at the teams competing in the WNBA, which opens its season on Friday.

WESTERN CONFERENCEMinnesota Lynx2013: 26-8, 1st; beat Atlanta 3-0 in WNBA Finals

Projected starting 5: G Lindsay Whalen (14.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.8 apg), G Seimone Augustus (16.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Maya Moore (18.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.0 apg), F Rebekkah Brunson (10.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.5 apg), C Janel McCarville (6.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Key additions/loses: None

Outlook: Minnesota basically didn't make any key roster moves and has had three trips to the finals in the last three seasons, winning two championships. Despite injuries to Brunson, Monica Wright and Devereaux Peters, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Lynx in the finals again.

Los Angeles Sparks2013: 24-10, 2nd place; lost to Phoenix 2-1 in conference semifinals

Projected starting 5: G Lindsey Harding (10.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.2 apg), G Kristi Toliver (14.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.4 apg), G Alana Beard (6.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.4 apg), F Nneka Ogwumike (14.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.3 apg), F Candace Parker (17.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.8 apg).

Key additions: G Candice Wiggins

Key losses: F Marissa Coleman

Outlook: With a group led by Magic Johnson now in charge, the Sparks are looking for a bright future and hope to win their first championship since 2002. The Sparks have the reigning MVP in Parker, the Naperville native who is one of the league's most unique talents.

Phoenix Mercury2013: 19-15, 3rd place; lost to Minnesota 2-0 in conference finals

Projected starting 5: G Diana Taurasi (20.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.2 apg), G Penny Taylor (8.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Candice Dupree (15.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.9 apg), F DeWanna Bonner (14.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.4 apg), C Brittney Griner (12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg).

Key additions: Erin Phillips, Mistie Bass. Key losses: Lynetta Kizer.

Outlook: One of the most talented starting lineups in the league led by Taurasi when everyone is healthy. Griner and Taylor missed time last year because of injuries. The 6-foot-8 Griner is primed to make a big jump in her second season.

Seattle Storm2013: 17-17, 4th place; lost to Minnesota 2-0 in conference semifinals.

Projected starting 5: G Sue Bird (DNP-Injury), G Tanisha Wright (11.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.1 apg), F Shekinna Stricklen (10.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.8 apg), F Crystal Langhorne (12.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.1 apg), F Camille Little (10.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.4 apg).

Key addition: Crystal Langhorne. Key loss: Tina Thompson (retired).

Outlook: Seattle surprised many people by making the playoffs last season despite Bird and Lauren Jackson missing the season. Bird's back but Jackson's still out for the year because of an injury and training for the world championship.

San Antonio Stars 2013: 12-22, 5th place.

Projected starting 5: G Becky Hammon (2 ppg, 1 rpg, 1 apg), G Danielle Robinson (11.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.7 apg), G Kayla McBride (Rookie), F Sophia Young-Malcolm (DNP-Injury), F C Danielle Adams (14.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg)

Key additions: G McBride (draft).

Outlook: With both Hammon and Young-Malcolm back from injuries, as well as the addition of McBride, the Stars are poised to make a run to the playoffs. San Antonio also changed its nickname to just Stars.

Tulsa Shock2013: 11-23, 6th place.

Projected starting 5: G Skylar Diggins (8.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.8 apg), G Odyssey Sims (DNP-Rookie), G Riquna Williams (15.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.8 apg), F Glory Johnson (15.0 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.1 apg), C Courtney Paris (3.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.5 apg).

Key additions: G Sims (draft, No. 2), G Jordan Hooper (draft, No. 13).

Key losses: G Candice Wiggins

Outlook: Tulsa may have one of the most talented young backcourts in the league with Diggins and Sims. With the improved backcourt and Williams's scoring ability - she had a league-record 51-point game last season - the Shock will be able to put points on the board.

EASTERN CONFERENCEChicago Sky2013: 24-10, 1st place; lost to Indiana 2-0 in conference semifinals.

Projected starting 5: G Epiphanny Prince (15.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.0 apg), G Courtney Vandersloot (8.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.6 apg), F Elena Delle Donne (18.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.8 apg), F Jessica Breland (5.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.6 apg), C Sylvia Fowles (16.3 ppg, 11.5 rpg).

Key additions: Breland, Sasha Goodlett. Key losses: Swin Cash.

Outlook: Delle Donne has added 12 lbs of muscle and looks primed to build on last season's impressive rookie campaign. The only thing that stands in the way of a run at the Eastern Conference title is the health of Fowles, who is out for the early part of the season with a torn labrum.

Atlanta Dream2013: 17-17, 2nd place; lost to Minnesota 3-0 in WNBA finals.

Projected starting 5: G Tiffany Hayes (11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.7 apg), G Jasmine Thomas (8.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.1 apg), G Shoni Schimmel (DNP), F Angel McCoughtry (21.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg), F Erika de Souza (12.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 1.3 apg),

Key additions: G Schimmel (draft), F Swin Cash, G Celine Dumerc.

Key losses: G Alex Bentley, F Courtney Clements.

Outlook: McCoughtry is one of the top offensive players in the game and the addition of Cash and Schimmel should help the offense as it develops under new coach Michael Cooper.

Washington Mystics2013: 17-17, 3rd place; lost to Atlanta 2-1 in conference semifinals.

Projected starting 5: G Ivory Latta (13.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.4 apg), G Kara Lawson (10.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Monique Currie (10.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.5 apg), F Kia Vaughn (6.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.6 apg), C Stefanie Dolson.

Key additions: G Lawson, G Bria Hartley, C Dolson (draft, No. 6).

Key losses: F Crystal Langhorne, G Matee Ajavon.

Outlook: The Mystics surprised many by making the playoffs last season and almost upended the Dream in the opening round. Now with some playoff experience under their belt, this young squad could be dangerous.

Indiana Fever2013: 16-18, 4th place; lost to Atlanta 2-0 in conference finals.

Projected starting 5: G Briann January (9.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.7 apg), G Shavonte Zellous (14.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg), F Tamika Catchings (17.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.4 apg), F Karima Christmas (8.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.1 apg), F Erlana Larkins (7.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg).

Key additions: F Natasha Howard (draft, No. 5), F Marissa Coleman.

Key losses: G Katie Douglas, F Jessica Breland, F Sasha Goodlett.

Outlook: Indiana won its first WNBA championship two seasons ago and the Fever are poised to try to win another led by Catchings. Coach Lin Dunn announced that she will retire after this season.

New York Liberty2013: 11-23, 5th place.

Projected starting 5: G Cappie Pondexter (16.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.0 apg), G Essence Carson (14.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.8 apg), F Plenette Pierson (11.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Kara Braxton (8.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 apg), C Tina Charles (18.0 ppg, 10.1 rpg)

Key additions: C Charles. Key losses: Kelsey Bone, Katie Smith

Outlook: New York made a blockbuster trade right before the draft acquiring former MVP Charles, giving the Liberty another marquee player to go alongside Pondexter.

Connecticut Sun2013: 10-24, 6th place.

Projected starting 5: G Katie Douglas (15.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.5 apg), G Alex Bentley (8.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.8 apg), F Chiney Ogwumike (DNP-Rookie), F Alyssa Thomas (DNP-Rookie), F Kelsey Bone (6.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg).

Key additions: F Ogwumike (draft, No. 1), F Thomas, F Bone, G Douglas, G Bentley. Key losses: Kara Lawson, Tina Charles, Mistie Bass.

Outlook: After a sixth place finish last season, the Sun completely remade their roster, starting with the trades of Lawson and Charles. Coach Anne Donovan has a young team now led by Ogwumike and Thomas and she hopes the two college All-Americans can develop quickly at the pro level.