WNBA Free Company is formally underway, and it’s been a busy couple of days of league-shattering trades and shocking signings. At SB Nation, we’ll be overlaying all of the essential transactions of the WNBA offseason, and breaking down the whole lot you want to know.
When did free company formally start?
From Jan. 11 to Jan. 20, groups have been in a position to make qualifying affords and “core” participant designations. Groups can use the core designation to realize unique negotiation rights with a participant, even unrestricted free brokers — however gamers can solely be cored twice all through their careers.
Six gamers have been cored Satou Sabally (Dallas Wings), Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces), Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty), Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever), Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Solar), and Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm). Core gamers are provided a one-year supermax contract value round $249K. Gamers can both signal that one-year cope with their present staff or signal it underneath the pretense of a commerce request.
On Jan. 21, groups have been in a position to start negotiating with free brokers, however they’re not in a position to signal any offers. That being stated, a number of main transactions have already been reported. On Feb. 1, contract signings can grow to be official.
Which main strikes have been reported to date?
Three-team commerce: Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, Jewell Loyd to Las Vegas Aces, Li Yuero to the Seattle Storm
On Sunday evening, ESPN reported a three-team commerce that despatched Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces, and Li Yuero (and the Sparks No. 2 decide) to the Seattle Storm.
Alyssa Thomas, Ty Harris to the Phoenix Mercury for Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen
Thomas — one of many league’s prime all-around gamers — is leaving the Connecticut Solar after 11 seasons, due to a sign-and-trade that may land her in Phoenix. Becoming a member of her is standout guard Ty Harris, who’s additionally been with the group for the whole thing of her profession. In return, the Solar acquired elite two-way guard Natasha Cloud, former Solar guard Rebecca Allen, and the 2025 No. 12 general.
Brittney Griner indicators with the Atlanta Dream
After spending the primary 11 seasons of her WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury, Brittney Griner is headed to Atlanta to hitch forces with Rhyne Howard, Allisha Grey, and Jordin Canada on the Dream.
Kelsey Mitchell re-signs with the Indiana Fever
Mitchell said she was going to discover free company for the primary time, however ended up with the franchise.
Courtney Vandersloot leaves New York, returns to Chicago Sky
Vandersloot spent the primary decade of her WNBA profession in Chicago. Now, after two seasons with the New York Liberty, she’s headed again to the place all of it started.
Brionna Jones leaves Connecticut Solar, heads to Atlanta Dream
The three-time WNBA All-Star leaves the group with which she’s spent the primary seven years of her profession — becoming a member of forces with Brittney Griner, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Grey, and Jordin Canada.
Natasha Howard leaves the Dallas Wings, and indicators with the Indiana Fever
Howard, a two-time All-Star and three-time WNBA champion had beforehand introduced she’d be leaving the Wings. On Friday, ESPN’s Alexa Phillippou reported the elite defensive ahead was heading to Indiana, the place she started her profession in 2015.
Which free brokers have been (and are) obtainable?
Atlanta Dream: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (unrestricted), Aerial Powers (unrestricted), Tina Charles (unrestricted), Lorela Cubaj (reserved), Maya Caldwell (reserved)
Connecticut Solar: Alyssa Thomas (cored, traded), Brionna Jones (unrestricted, signed with Dream), DeWanna Bonner (unrestricted), Tiffany Mitchell (unrestricted), Astou Ndour-Fall (unrestricted), DiJonai Carrington (restricted), Caitlin Bickle (reserved)
Chicago Sky: Isabelle Harrison (unrestricted), Brianna Turner (unrestricted), Diamond DeShields (unrestricted), Chennedy Carter (restricted, didn’t obtain a qualifying provide), Michaela Onyenwere (restricted), Dana Evans (restricted)
Dallas Wings: Satou Sabally (cored), Natasha Howard (unrestricted, signed with Indiana), Jaelyn Brown (reserved), Sevgi Uzun (reserved)
Golden State Valkryies: Temi Fagbenle (restricted), Veronica Burton (reserved), Cecilia Zandalasini (reserved), Julie Vanloo (reserved), Monique Billings (unrestricted)
Indiana Fever: Kelsey Mitchell (cored, re-signed), Erica Wheeler (unrestricted)
Los Angeles Sparks: Kia Nurse (unrestricted), Aari McDonald (restricted), Li Yueru (reserved, traded)
Las Vegas Aces: Kelsey Plum (cored, traded to Sparks), Alysha Clark (unrestricted), Tiffany Hayes (unrestricted), Sydney Colson (unrestricted), Queen Egbo (reserved)
Minnesota Lynx: Myisha Hines-Allen (unrestricted), Natisha Hiedeman (unrestricted), Olivia Epoupa (reserved)
New York Liberty: Breanna Stewart (cored), Courtney Vandersloot (unrestricted, signing with Chicago), Kennedy Burke (unrestricted), Ivan Dojkic (reserved), Jaylyn Sherrod (reserved)
Phoenix Mercury: Diana Taurasi (unrestricted), Brittney Griner (unrestricted, signing with Dream), Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (reserved), Natasha Mack (reserved), Charisma Osborne (reserved), Celeste Taylor (reserved), Amy Atwell (reserved)
Seattle Storm: Nneka Ogwumike (unrestricted), Gabby Williams (cored), Mercedes Russell (unrestricted), Sami Whitcomb (unrestricted), Joyner Holmes (unrestricted), Victoria Vivians (unrestricted)
Washington Mystics: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (unrestricted), Emily Engstler (reserved), Sug Sutton (reserved)
We’ll proceed to replace this web page with all WNBA free company strikes over the approaching weeks, so bookmark this one.
