Lauren Jackson and some of her Opals teammates start another WNBA campaign in the US this weekend still smarting from last year's gold medal hammering against the Americans in Beijing.

After pondering an off-season move to Phoenix, two-time league MVP Jackson has returned to Seattle for her ninth year with the Storm and will start the new season away to Sacramento on Sunday (AEST).

Jackson, who is chasing a second WNBA title after her 2004 triumph, arrived late to Seattle's training camp after being maid of honour at Storm teammate and fellow Opal Suzy Batkovic-Brown's wedding.

They will be joined in the WNBA this season by compatriots Belinda Snell (San Antonio), Erin Phillips (Connecticut), Tully Bevilaqua (Indiana) and Kristi Harrower (Los Angeles).

Teams can still make cuts up until the day before the season begins, while Penny Taylor may return to Phoenix during the year.

All seven were part of the Opals team that suffered a demoralising 92-65 thrashing to the US in the gold medal game in Beijing.

World champions Australia went into the game desperate to avoid a third straight loss to the Americans in an Olympic final but failed to cope with the occasion in an incredibly disappointing performance.

"They're still seething about it and they all know they've got a point to prove," said three-time Olympian Michele Timms.

"The ones who are in the WNBA will definitely be taking it into that season over there, even though it's nine, ten months behind us.

"And I know they can't wait to pull on the green and gold again under new coach Carrie Graf and get another crack at getting past their nemesis."

Jackson, 28, is coming off another arduous campaign, which included the Olympics then a return to Russia after undergoing ankle surgery following the Beijing Games.

Widely acknowledged as the world's best player for most of the past decade, Jackson is being pressured for that title from a new breed of players, led by Los Angeles Sparks phenomenon Candace Parker.

But Timms feels Parker has some work to do to knock Jackson off her perch.

"Not yet. She's up there, she's amongst it and will get there possibly, but Lauren is still numero uno," she said.

"I think Penny's right up there too."

There have been some encouraging early signs, with Phillips pouring in 18 points in just 17 minutes in a pre-season game against Atlanta.

Harrower will also be in contention for a WNBA crown if she can hang onto her spot with title-favourites LA.

And Jackson is feeling healthy after her surgery.

"I can move better. I feel quicker. It's helped me with my training," she told the Seattle Times.

"Last year I wasn't able to train hard. My ankle was bad and if I hadn't had the surgery I wouldn't be here now.

"I hope I never have to go through that again."