WNBA free agency is officially underway as nearly 80% of the league hits the open market.
On Sunday, April 5, the WNBA announced dates for free agency. Notably, free agency, which typically begins in January, is on a condensed timeline, beginning this week, after the league and its players spent the last 19 months hammering out a new CBA. With the CBA currently in the ratification process, free agency now unfolds in a mad dash towards a May 8 season start date.
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The WNBA’s free agency period opens Monday, April 6, starting with the designation period and continuing until April 7. Qualifying offers and core player designations can be sent during the April 6-April 7 window. The negotiation period begins on Wednesday, April 8, continuing for three days. Following the negotiation period, teams and players will be able to sign new contracts on Saturday, April 11.
As signings and trades become real, USA TODAY is tracking the latest movements of the biggest names:
This story will be regularly updated as league transactions happen.
WNBA free agency tracker: Landing spots for top players
C A’ja Wilson
Type of free agent: Urestricted free agent
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Background: After winning her third championship with the Las Vegas Aces, Wilson has zero desire to move from the franchise. “I’m not leaving Vegas,” Wilson said on April 3.
Team player signed with: Las Vegas Aces
Expected Contract: Wilson is expected to re-sign with the team on a WNBA supermax salary of $1.4 million
F Breanna Stewart
Type of free agent: Urestricted free agent
Background: Breanna Stewart made it clear that there is no other place she would rather play than New York. “I will be staying in New York. I’m not planning on taking any free agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent,” Stewart said on a recent episode of her podcast.
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Team player signed with: New York Liberty
Expected Contract: TBD
G Sabriona Ionescu
Type of free agent: Urestricted free agent
Background: Sabriona Ionescu has found a home with the New York Liberty and doesn’t plan to be anywhere else. “Obviously, I’m where I’m supposed to be. Never thought anything different. And so, I’m excited to kind of be able to sign and get started,” Ionescu said.
Team player signed with: New York Liberty
Expected Contract: TBD
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA free agency 2026 tracker: Signings, trades for all 15 teams
