WNBA Player Index: Player vs System
Through the 2026 season. Model updated 10/20/2026, 1:01 PM CT
The top difference maker is A'ja Wilson (LVA), worth +22.6 DK points per 36 minutes above an average player on an average team. 28 players grade as difference makers and 4 as system products. The biggest step-up when the star sits is Mackenzie Holmes (+9.2 DK points per game without Dominique Malonga).
Top 15% player value. The production follows the player to any team.
A'ja Wilsonvalue+22.6
Caitlin Clarkvalue+15.5
Breanna Stewartvalue+13.0Aliyah Bostonvalue+13.0
Angel Reesevalue+12.920+ DK points per game, but most of it comes from minutes and the team, not per-minute skill. Real production, tied to the role.
Arike Ogunbowale26.3 DK/gAzzi Fudd23.6 DK/gNaz Hillmon19.1 DK/gMakayla Timpson14.9 DK/gValue above the system is up 3+ DK points per 36 minutes from last season.
Carla Leitetrend+6.9Aziaha Jamestrend+6.1
Marina Mabreytrend+6.1Bridget Carletontrend+5.5
Janelle Salauntrend+4.8Strong per-minute player held back by teammates: short minutes or heavy competition for touches.
Courtney Williams27.1 minMaria Kliundikova11.6 min
Sydney Taylor20.0 minTeaira McCowan6.8 minJordin Canada29.7 minValue above the system is down 3+ DK points per 36 minutes from last season.
Kayla Thorntontrend-7.1Alanna Smithtrend-5.5Luisa Geiselsodertrend-5.4
Lindsay Allentrend-5.1Jewell Loydtrend-4.3DK points per game in games the team's top player missed, minus games the star played. 5+ games without.
Mackenzie Holmes+9.2 (9g)Brittney Sykes+7.4 (10g)Stefanie Dolson+6.9 (9g)Maria Kliundikova+6.3 (10g)Aaliyah Edwards+5.3 (19g)Emma Meesseman+5.3 (10g)| Player | Player value | System lift | Teammate drag | Expected /36 | DK /36 | Min | Usage | Trend | Archetype |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A'ja WilsonC LVA | +22.6 | +0.2 | -0.4 | 54.6 | 55.5 | 32.0 | 33% | -0.3 | Difference maker |
| Caitlin ClarkG IND | +15.5 | +0.5 | -0.4 | 47.8 | 49.1 | 31.1 | 33% | +0.7 | Difference maker |
| Breanna StewartF NYL | +13.0 | -0.1 | -0.8 | 44.4 | 45.2 | 33.0 | 27% | +1.6 | Difference maker |
| Aliyah BostonC IND | +13.0 | +0.5 | -1.4 | 44.3 | 47.5 | 27.1 | 25% | +4.4 | Difference maker |
| Angel ReeseF ATL | +12.9 | +0.9 | -0.7 | 45.4 | 46.9 | 31.1 | 26% | +1.9 | Difference maker |
| Dominique MalongaC SEA | +12.8 | -0.5 | +1.5 | 46.0 | 47.5 | 26.5 | 30% | +2.0 | Difference maker |
| Olivia MilesG MIN | +11.8 | +0.8 | -3.2 | 41.6 | 43.8 | 31.0 | 28% | - | Difference maker |
| Napheesa CollierF MIN | +11.8 | +0.8 | -2.8 | 41.9 | 40.8 | 29.4 | 24% | -4.2 | Difference maker |
 Alyssa ThomasF PHX | +11.2 | -0.8 | +1.7 | 44.2 | 42.9 | 33.2 | 22% | -5.8 | Difference maker |
| Jonquel JonesC NYL | +10.8 | -0.1 | -1.1 | 41.8 | 42.6 | 28.3 | 21% | +0.8 | Difference maker |
 Shakira AustinC WAS | +10.0 | -0.6 | +1.8 | 43.4 | 44.4 | 29.4 | 27% | +0.4 | Difference maker |
| Jackie YoungG LVA | +10.0 | +0.2 | -2.1 | 40.2 | 41.6 | 32.4 | 25% | +2.1 | Difference maker |
| Kamilla CardosoC CHI | +9.8 | +0.1 | +0.2 | 42.3 | 44.6 | 26.6 | 23% | +4.7 | Difference maker |
 Nneka OgwumikeF LAS | +9.8 | -0.5 | +0.5 | 42.0 | 42.6 | 30.9 | 23% | +2.3 | Difference maker |
| Natasha HowardF MIN | +9.7 | +0.8 | -3.1 | 39.6 | 42.5 | 28.4 | 22% | +4.3 | Difference maker |
| Jessica ShepardF DAL | +9.7 | +0.5 | -0.7 | 41.8 | 43.4 | 31.8 | 20% | +3.3 | Difference maker |
| Cameron BrinkF LAS | +9.3 | -0.5 | -0.6 | 40.4 | 41.4 | 19.2 | 25% | +0.6 | Difference maker |
| Paige BueckersG DAL | +8.3 | +0.5 | -0.6 | 40.5 | 41.4 | 32.7 | 26% | +2.0 | Difference maker |
| Madina OkotC ATL | +8.2 | +0.9 | -1.9 | 39.5 | 41.8 | 9.2 | 25% | - | Difference maker |
| Aneesah MorrowF TOR | +7.7 | -0.7 | +1.1 | 40.3 | 42.8 | 22.3 | 25% | +2.4 | Difference maker |
| Chennedy CarterG LVA | +7.6 | +0.2 | -3.4 | 36.5 | 39.8 | 17.4 | 27% | - | Difference maker |
| Cheyenne Parker-TyusF LVA | +7.6 | +0.2 | -2.9 | 37.0 | 39.8 | 11.5 | 20% | +1.0 | Difference maker |
| Satou SaballyF NYL | +7.2 | -0.1 | -2.4 | 36.9 | 36.9 | 16.7 | 28% | -1.3 | Difference maker |
| Dearica HambyF LAS | +7.1 | -0.5 | -0.4 | 38.4 | 37.4 | 28.7 | 21% | -3.8 | Difference maker |
| Kiki IriafenPF WAS | +6.7 | -0.6 | +1.4 | 39.6 | 40.8 | 28.1 | 25% | +2.2 | Difference maker |
| Kelsey PlumG PHX | +6.2 | -0.6 | -1.6 | 36.2 | 39.9 | 30.6 | 28% | +4.0 | Difference maker |
| Brionna JonesF ATL | +6.2 | +0.9 | -2.3 | 37.0 | 42.0 | 16.9 | 19% | +1.2 | Difference maker |
| Sabrina IonescuG NYL | +6.0 | -0.1 | -1.7 | 36.5 | 34.4 | 29.9 | 25% | -4.9 | Difference maker |
| Isabelle HarrisonF TOR | +5.7 | -0.6 | +3.5 | 40.7 | 40.2 | 23.7 | 27% | +1.6 | Neutral |
| Azura StevensF CHI | +5.3 | +0.1 | -0.6 | 37.0 | 36.4 | 24.5 | 21% | -3.1 | Fading |
| Marina MabreyG TOR | +5.3 | -0.6 | +1.0 | 37.9 | 40.5 | 29.5 | 31% | +6.1 | Rising |
| Kelsey MitchellG IND | +5.3 | +0.5 | -1.9 | 36.0 | 37.6 | 32.5 | 28% | +2.0 | Neutral |
| Courtney WilliamsG MIN | +5.2 | +0.8 | -3.8 | 34.4 | 34.8 | 29.9 | 22% | -3.8 | Blocked by teammates |
| Rhyne HowardG ATL | +5.1 | +0.9 | -1.8 | 36.4 | 37.2 | 34.2 | 21% | +1.0 | Neutral |
| Brittney GrinerC CON | +4.9 | -0.8 | +1.9 | 38.2 | 39.9 | 25.3 | 24% | +3.0 | Rising |
| Aziaha JamesG DAL | +4.8 | +0.5 | -1.3 | 36.2 | 39.6 | 11.8 | 27% | +6.1 | Rising |
| Courtney VanderslootG CHI | +4.8 | +0.1 | -0.4 | 36.7 | 37.9 | 22.5 | 20% | +1.9 | Neutral |
| Emma MeessemanC NYL | +4.5 | +0.0 | -1.2 | 35.5 | 39.0 | 25.9 | 23% | - | Neutral |
| Natasha MackF PHX | +4.5 | -0.8 | +0.8 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 22.7 | 16% | +1.3 | Neutral |
| Tina CharlesC CON | +4.5 | -1.4 | -0.3 | 35.1 | 35.4 | 28.4 | 28% | -4.2 | Fading |
| Maria KliundikovaC MIN | +4.3 | +0.5 | -2.6 | 34.4 | 38.7 | 11.6 | 20% | - | Blocked by teammates |
| Skylar DigginsG CHI | +4.2 | +0.1 | -0.8 | 35.7 | 35.1 | 29.1 | 23% | -2.5 | Neutral |
| Sydney TaylorG CHI | +4.1 | +0.1 | -0.3 | 36.0 | 36.2 | 20.6 | 30% | - | Blocked by teammates |
| Nyara SaballyF TOR | +4.0 | -0.6 | +0.5 | 36.1 | 37.4 | 23.9 | 22% | +2.7 | Neutral |
| NaLyssa SmithF LVA | +4.0 | +0.2 | -2.9 | 33.4 | 34.6 | 24.2 | 19% | +4.6 | Rising |
| Teaira McCowanC MIN | +3.7 | +0.8 | -2.8 | 34.0 | 30.4 | 6.8 | 14% | -2.4 | Blocked by teammates |
| Flau'jae JohnsonG SEA | +3.7 | -0.5 | +0.2 | 35.6 | 36.3 | 28.7 | 26% | - | Neutral |
| Jordin CanadaG ATL | +3.6 | +0.9 | -2.0 | 34.7 | 35.6 | 31.1 | 18% | +0.9 | Blocked by teammates |
| Veronica BurtonG GSV | +3.2 | -0.3 | +1.5 | 36.6 | 37.0 | 28.6 | 20% | -0.3 | Neutral |
| Kalani BrownC LVA | +3.1 | +0.1 | -0.5 | 35.0 | 65.1 | 5.7 | 34% | +2.4 | Blocked by teammates |
| Olivia Nelson-OdodaC CON | +3.0 | -0.8 | +2.8 | 37.2 | 38.0 | 21.2 | 20% | +2.6 | Neutral |
| Brittney SykesG TOR | +3.0 | -0.6 | +0.5 | 35.1 | 37.5 | 29.4 | 29% | +2.6 | Neutral |
| Emily EngstlerF PDX | +2.9 | -0.2 | +3.1 | 38.0 | 37.8 | 24.7 | 20% | -0.5 | Neutral |
| Carla LeiteG PDX | +2.9 | -0.2 | +3.0 | 37.9 | 39.5 | 26.1 | 29% | +6.9 | Rising |
| Gabby WilliamsF GSV | +2.8 | -0.3 | +1.1 | 35.9 | 36.6 | 25.1 | 29% | +0.6 | Neutral |
| Chelsea GrayG LVA | +2.8 | +0.2 | -3.2 | 32.0 | 32.0 | 32.8 | 19% | +0.1 | Blocked by teammates |
| Allisha GrayG ATL | +2.6 | +0.9 | -2.1 | 33.6 | 34.2 | 32.6 | 23% | +0.0 | Blocked by teammates |
| Han XuC NYL | +2.4 | -0.1 | -1.8 | 32.7 | 32.8 | 13.7 | 18% | - | Blocked by teammates |
| Aerial PowersG IND | +2.3 | -0.6 | -1.0 | 32.9 | 36.5 | 16.7 | 23% | +0.4 | Blocked by teammates |
| Awak KuierF DAL | +2.1 | +0.5 | -1.5 | 33.3 | 33.7 | 18.6 | 15% | - | Neutral |
Which teams lift their players
DK points per 36 minutes each team adds for every player on the floor, 2026. Coaching, pace and scheme.
ATL+0.9MIN+0.8DAL+0.5IND+0.5LVA+0.2CHI+0.1CON-0.8PHX-0.8WAS-0.6TOR-0.6SEA-0.5Regular season games since 2022, recent seasons weighted more. Model v1.0.
What the WNBA Player Index measures
Every DraftKings point a WNBA player scores comes from two places: the player and the team around her. The Player Index splits the two. Each game is credited to the player, her team that season, the opponent and the teammates who share the floor with her. A ridge regression across every regular season game since 2022 estimates how much of the production belongs to each one.
Player value is DK points per 36 minutes above an average player on an average team. System lift is what her current team adds through coaching, pace and scheme. Teammate drag is what strong teammates take away, because they use the same possessions.
Difference makers vs system products
A difference maker produces on any team. A system product produces because of the team around her. With expansion teams and heavy roster turnover every year, the WNBA has many team changes, and this split matters for each one.
The team effect is small next to player value. Most of a WNBA box score belongs to the player, and teammates who share the ball matter more than the scheme.
Who steps up when the star sits
For every team, the index finds the top player by player value and compares each teammate's DK points per game in games the star missed against games she played. A large step-up tells you who absorbs the usage when the star is out.
How accurate the model is
We tested the model on the 2023 to 2026 seasons without letting it see the season it graded. For players who changed teams it predicted season DK points per 36 minutes with an average error of 3.86, against 4.30 for last season's rate pulled toward the league average. For players who stayed on the same team it was 3.66 against 3.68.
Frequently asked questions
What is a system product in the WNBA?
A player who gets a large share of her value from the team around her. On this page, a system product gets 35% or more of her value from the team and scores 20+ DK points per game over her last 10 games.
How often does the WNBA Player Index update?
Every day during the season, after the previous night's box scores load. In the offseason it shows the final numbers from the last season.
Does the index predict tonight's points?
No. It is a ranking built from full seasons. Use the WNBA projections for tonight's points.
Is this tool free?
Yes. The full page is free with no account.