The WNBA and the players’ union — led by Nneka Ogwumike, Brenna Stewart, Alysha Clark and Brianna Turner — have agreed in principle on a new collective bargaining agreement, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday.
Yes, a term sheet still needs to be signed, the players need to vote on that term sheet and a board of governors needs to ratify it. But let’s get to the fun stuff — like free agency.
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Knowing a CBA negotiation — and with it, a raise in salaries and the cap — was coming, countless WNBA players structured their contracts to become free agents this year. It would be a lot easier to list the players who aren’t free agents. Among players falling into that latter category are ones still on rookie contracts, like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
The unrestricted free agents this year include superstars like A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier, serviceable veterans like Sophie Cunningham and consistent scoring threats like Arike Ogunbowale.
We want to know what chaos could be in store as the league’s top players are expected to earn more than $1 million under the new CBA. So, here is a closer look at who we think are the top free agents entering what will be a frenzy ahead of the season starting on May 8.
WNBA free agents
You know these big names, but let’s refresh on this list of superstar free agents and have a closer look at each.
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A’ja Wilson
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Career accolades: Three-time WNBA champion with Las Vegas Aces, four-time league MVP, two-time WNBA Finals MVP, seven-time All-Star, three-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
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Career stats: 21.4 points per game, 49.8 FG%, 9.3 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 2 blocks per game
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2025 team and stats: For the Aces, Wilson averaged 23.4 points on 50.5% with 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 2.3 blocks per game
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2025 salary: $200,000, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: Anything short of Wilson re-signing with the Aces on a supermax contract would be shocking. She has now powered them to three WNBA titles and is widely considered to be the top player in the league. The new supermax is expected to come with an annual salary in the ballpark of $1.4 million, meaning Wilson will be getting a sizable pay bump.
Napheesa Collier
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Career accolades: Five-time WNBA All-Star, three-time first-team All-WNBA, one-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Champion (2024)
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Career stats per game: 33.5 minutes, 18.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.2 blocks, 49.2 FG%
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2025 team and stats: For the Minnesota Lynx, Collier average 32.3 minutes, 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.5 blocks and 53.1 FG%
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2025 salary: $214,284, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: It seems likely Collier will return to the Lynx as Minnesota continues to chase championships under coach Cheryl Reeve. Collier is another player likely deserving of that supermax number as a perennial All-Star and All-WNBA selection. In each of the past three seasons, she has ranked in the top 15 in the WNBA in points, rebounds, steals and blocks.
Breanna Stewart
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Career accolades: Three-time WNBA champion, two-time WNBA Finals MVP, two-time WNBA MVP, seven-time WNBA All-Star, six-time first-team All-WNBA
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Career stats per game: 32.5 minutes, 20.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals 1.5 blocks and 46.9 FG%
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2025 team and stats: For the New York Liberty, Stewart averaged 30.6 minutes, 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks and 46.1 FG%
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2025 salary: $222,400, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: Stewart is another player who will command a supermax contract, and the New York Liberty would be foolish not to give it to her if the organization is still serious about contending for championships. She’s ranked in the top 10 in scoring in the WNBA in every season that she’s been in the WNBA.
Alyssa Thomas
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Career accolades: Six-time WNBA All-Star, three-time first-team All-WNBA, WNBA rebounding champion (2023), WNBA steals leader (2020), three-time first-team WNBA All-Defensive
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Career stats per game: 30.6 minutes, 12.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.6 steals, 48.9 FG%
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2025 team and stats: For the Phoenix Mercury, Thomas averaged 31.3 minutes, 15.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 53.2 FG%.
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2025 salary: $215,000, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: Thomas is 33 years old, but coming off a season in which she averaged a career-best 53.2 shooting percentage and a career-high 9.2 assists per game. She should command the supermax, or close to it. If she doesn’t remain with the Phoenix Mercury, she’ll be arguably the best player available on the open market.
Sabrina Ionescu
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Career accolades: One-time WNBA champion (2024), four-time WNBA All-Star, four-time second-team All-WNBA
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Career stats per game: 31.4 minutes, 16.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 40.4 FG%
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2025 team and stats: For the New York Liberty, Ionescu averaged 31.4 minutes, 18.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 40.1 FG%
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2025 salary: $222,060, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: The WNBA salary cap is expected to go up to $7 million, so a team could afford multiple players making the expected supermax salary of $1.4 million and still fill out the roster. The Liberty are certainly going to be spending close to the cap if they retain Ionescu, who should command close to the supermax. The 28-year-old guard in the prime of her career has ranked in the top 10 in scoring and assists in the league in three of the past four seasons.
Jackie Young
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Career accolades: Three-time WNBA champion, four-time WNBA All-Star, two-time second-team All-WNBA
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Career stats per game: 30 minutes, 14 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 46.7 FG%
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2025 team and stats: For the Las Vegas Aces, Young averaged 30.4 minutes, 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 47.5 FG%
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2025 salary: $169,950, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: Like the Liberty, the Las Vegas Aces are going to be spending close to the cap too, because they’ll want to keep a versatile and key player like Young around. The 28-year-old product of Notre Dame didn’t make the max salary last season, and although she might not command a supermax deal, she’s still due for a big payday. Expect the Aces to find a way to keep her and Chelsea Gray with salaries in the high six figures.
Kelsey Plum
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Career accolades: Two-time WNBA champion, four-time WNBA All-Star, one-time first-team All-WNBA (2022)
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Career stats per game: 29.8 minutes, 15.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 43 FG%, 38.3 3P%
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2025 team and stats: For the Los Angeles Sparks, Plum averaged 35.1 points, 19.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 42.2 FG% and 35.5 3P%
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2025 salary: $202,000, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: Plum made close to the max salary last season and is likely going to hit the open market and sign wherever she can get her biggest payday. That could be back with the L.A. Sparks, where she’d be leading a team with young stars like Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink. She could go elsewhere, perhaps to Dallas if the Wings were to move on from Arike Ogunbowale. A backcourt pairing of Plum and Bueckers could be dangerous. Wherever she goes, expect Plum to garner a salary between $800,000 and the $1.4 million supermax.
Nneka Ogwumike
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Career accolades: WNBA champion (2016), WNBA MVP (2016), 10-time WNBA All-Star, one-time first-team All-WNBA (2016)
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Career stats per game: 30 minutes, 16.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 steals. 53.9 FG%
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2025 team and stats: For the Seattle Storm, Ogwumike averaged 30.9 minutes, 18.3 points, 7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 51.9 FG%
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2025 salary: $195,000, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: The 35-year-old averaged 18.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season and is likely to command a contract that’s in the ballpark of seven figures. The question is: Will Ogwumike part of Seattle’s long-term plans after it fired former head coach Noelle Quinn? If the Storm decide to embrace a youth movement and let Ogwumike walk, she’ll be in-demand on the market and could be a fit for the Golden State Valkyries — not too far from her college stomping grounds at Stanford.
Kahleah Copper
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Career accolades: WNBA champion (2021), WNBA Finals MVP (2021), four-time WNBA All-Star, one-time second-team All-WNBA (2024)
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Career stats per game: 24.1 minutes, 12.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 44.4 FG%
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2025 team and stats: For the Phoenix Mercury, Copper averaged 26.9 minutes, 15.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 42.4 FG%
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2025 salary: $248,134, per Her Hoop Stats
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Outlook for 2026: The 31-year-old made the max salary last season and should command the new supermax or close to it. If the Phoenix Mercury still want to contend for championships, it would be silly to let a player like Copper walk. But the Mercury could have some tough choices to make with Copper, Thomas and Satou Sabally all hitting unrestricted free agency.
When does WNBA free agency start?
It is not yet known when exactly free agency will begin, but it will likely be a wild ride with about 80% of players being free agents.
When does WNBA season start 2026?
Engelbert said the season will start on time on May 8. Training camp begins on April 19. The WNBA also needs conduct free agency and expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. A timeline for those two items was not provided early Wednesday morning.
WNBA CBA salary update
The deal is expected to increase player salaries nearly fourfold from last season. The league will have million-dollar players for the first time entering its 30th season. The agreement reflects the league’s continued growth over the past few years reflected in attendance, viewership and investment.
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ESPN reported the new salary cap would start at $7 million, up from $1.5 million in 2025, and the average revenue share for the the players would be nearly 20% across deal, up from 9.3% under the old deal. As for player salaries, according to the report, the supermax would be $1.4 million, average in range of $600,000 and the minimum above $300,000.
When is WNBA draft 2026?
This year’s draft will be April 13, about a week after the 2026 NCAA Tournament wraps.
2026 WNBA season schedule
The WNBA’s landmark 30th season is scheduled to tip off on Friday, May 8.
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June 1-17: Commissioner’s Cup
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July 24-27: All-Star Weekend (Chicago)
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Sept. 24: Last day of regular season
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who tops WNBA free agents list? These 9 star players you can’t miss
