Keep track of the transactional chaos on the WNBA front, which is engaged in a compacted offseason after the lengthy yet fruitful CBA talks.
With a new collective bargaining agreement signed, the WNBA is about to embark on a most unique fastbreak.
(Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Scores have been settled, and progress has been made in the boardroom, leading to a condensed offseason that will take up the remaining weeks before the regular season tips off on May 8. In anticipation of earning under a new CBA, almost every WNBA veteran is up for grabs in some form of free agency, leading to what should be a chaotic yet organized frenzy that will set up the competitors for the Association’s landmark 30th season.
Ballislife will keep you up to date on all transactions and terms below…
Tracked by: Geoff Magliocchetti and Sara Jane Gamelli
Updated: April 7, 10:30 a.m. ET
Free Agent Definitions
Core—A fully guaranteed one-year, supermax deal that can be offered to restricted and unrestricted free agents. Players who are “cored” can negotiate only with their current team, though a sign-and-trade can still be formed (though teams must negotiate a deal other than the max under new CBA rules). Players cannot be cored more than twice. Teams can core only one player at a time.
Reserved—Players who have registered three years of service or fewer can receive qualifying offers. Beginning in 2027, players with at least seven years of experience cannot be cored. These players’ current teams have exclusive negotiating rights with the athletes in question. The player becomes an unrestricted free agent if a qualifying offer is not extended.
Restricted—Restricted free agents are players with four years of service whose contract has expired and receive a qualifying offer from their current team. If a qualifying offer is not offered, that player becomes an unrestricted free agent. Such players can also negotiate offer sheets, which must be for a multi-year contract, with a new team, but the original team has “Right of First Refusal,” or the ability to match.
Unrestricted—Veteran players who can negotiate with any team without restriction.
Core Designations
To be added
Trades
Monday, April 6
DREAM GETS: Angel Reese, 2028 second-round pick swap
SKY GETS: 2027 and 2028 first-round picks
Breakdown: The polarizing prowess of Angel Reese is moving on to Atlanta after two seasons, amidst darkening skies with the Sky. Reese joins the WNBA’s top rebounding group from the year prior, one that featured the Atlanta debut of Brittney Griner and the respective breakouts of Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, and reigning Sixth Woman of the Year Naz Hillmon.
Reese led the Association in rebounding in each of her first two seasons and now joins an Atlanta group looking to make some noise after posting a franchise-best 30 wins, doubling their output from the year prior.
Free Agency, Team-By-Team
Returning Players in BOLD
Atlanta Dream
Jordin Canada
Allisha Gray
Brittney Griner
Naz Hillmon (Restricted)
Rhyne Howard (Restricted)
Brionna Jones
Sika Kone (Reserved)
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Holly Winterburn (Reserved)
News
To be added
Chicago Sky
Rebecca Allen
Ariel Atkins
Rachel Banham
Kia Nurse
Michaela Onyenwere
Sevgi Uzun
Courtney Vandersloot
Elizabeth Williams
News
To be added
Connecticut Sun
Lindsay Allen
Tina Charles
Bria Hartley
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (Restricted)
Haley Peters (Restricted)
Mamignan “Migna” Touré (Reserved)
News
To be added
Dallas Wings
Grace Berger
Tyasha Harris
Myisha Hines-Allen
Arike Ogunbowale
Amy Okonkwo
Li Yueru
News
To be added
Golden State Valkyries
Laeticia Amihere
Monique Billings
Veronica Burton (Restricted)
Kaitlyn Chen (Reserved)
Temi Fagbenle
Tiffany Hayes
Ilana Rupert
Janelle Salaun
Kayla Thornton
Cecilia Zandalasini (Restricted)
News
To be added
Indiana Fever
Sydney Colson
Sophie Cunningham
Damiris Dantas
Natasha Howard
Lexie Hull (Restricted)
Aari McDonald
Kelsey Mitchell
Odyssey Sims
Brianna Turner
News
To be added
Las Vegas Aces
Kiersten Bell (Restricted)
Dana Evans
Chelsea Gray
Megan Gustafson
Jewell Loyd
NaLyssa Smith (Restricted)
Kiah Stokes
A’ja Wilson
Jackie Young
News
To be added
Los Angeles Sparks
Rae Burrell
Emma Cannon
Dearica Hamby
Alissa Pili
Kelsey Plum
Azura Stevens
Julie Vanloo
Minnesota Lynx
DiJonai Carrington
Napheesa Collier
Natisha Hiedeman
Kayla McBride
Jessica Shepard
Jaylyn Sherrod (Reserved)
Alanna Smith
Camryn Taylor (Restricted)
Courtney Williams
News
To be added
New York Liberty
Kennedy Burke
Raquel Carrera (Reserved)
Natasha Cloud
Rebekah Gardner
Isabelle Harrison
Sabrina Ionescu
Marine Johannes
Jonquel Jones
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
Emma Meesseman
Breanna Stewart
Stephanie Talbot
News
Phoenix Mercury
Monique Akoa-Makani (Reserved)
Julia Ayrault (Reserved)
DeWanna Bonner
Kahleah Copper
Natasha Mack
Helena Pueyo (Reserved)
Satou Sabally
Alyssa Thomas
Kathryn Westbeld (Reserved)
Sami Whitcomb
News
Seattle Storm
Skylar Diggins
Ezi Magbegor
Tiffany Mitchell
Nneka Ogwumike
Katie Lou Samuelson
Brittney Sykes
Erica Wheeler
Gabby Williams
News
To be added
Washington Mystics
Shakira Austin (Restricted)
Alysha Clark
Stefanie Dolson
Jade Melbourne
Madison Scott (Reserved)
News
To be added
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
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