​The WNBA midseason mark is already here after all 15 teams eclipsed the 22-game threshold. The unofficial reference point will come next week with All-Star weekend in Chicago.The overlooked Minnesota Lynx (18-6), second-year Golden State Valkyries (17-7) and reigning champion Las Vegas Aces (17-7) lead the pack, followed closely by Paige Bueckers’ Dallas Wings (16-8) and Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever (14-9). There are 5.5 games between the eighth-place Washington Mystics (the Liberty are seventh) and league-leading Lynx, setting up a fun run to the postseason that begins in September following the FIBA World Cup break.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBefore that, Yahoo Sports is going backward to analyze, reassess and adjust the preseason contenders based on the first half of the season. Typically, MVP would helm this conversation as the most coveted award on the docket. But since the Sixth Player of the Year award gained some interesting twists and turns this month, that’s where we’ll dive in first.Preseason candidates: Chennedy Carter (Aces), Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (Liberty), Cameron Brink (Sparks), Naz Hillmon (Dream)This is one of the most difficult awards to forecast simply because starting rosters, rotations and injuries are constantly in flux. The preseason group proved a messy miss, in ways both predictable and not.The Chennedy Carter experiment in Las Vegas lasted just 13 games. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)(Ethan Miller via Getty Images)Carter locked down the lead in this award until the reigning champion Aces released her ahead of the deadline for guaranteed contracts. Head coach Becky Hammon declined to discuss a player who was no longer rostered. Carter is one of the most productive and talented guards in the WNBA, ranking third in points-per-40 minutes at 28.9 (12.2 points in 16.9 minutes). Her efforts off the bench were massive for a team seeking another back-to-back championship run.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut, she appeared to fall out of favor in Hammon’s system once the season was underway, despite the coach’s support in the preseason and first weeks. Carter’s social media presence can’t be overlooked on a team that prioritizes the locker room almost more than any other team in the league.Laney-Hamilton, a key piece to the 2024 championship team, is averaging 16.8 minutes over 17 games. Three times this season, Chris DeMarco has not played her (“DNP”), including the Commissioner’s Cup championship game victory over Las Vegas. Her long-term prospects with the Liberty are as rocky as the team’s record — and they lost seven of the last nine as of Tuesday.Brink has not played since June 15 while dealing with a sprained ankle. She averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 3.5 personal fouls over 14 games. Hillmon, the reigning Sixth Player, started 21 of 23 games while Brionna Jones remains out after knee surgery. Two more starts and Hillmon will no longer qualify for the