WNBA free agency primer: Where each team stands as most players hit the market in condensed 2026 offseason

The WNBA offseason is officially underway after the league and players union agreed to a collective bargaining agreement that ended more than 16 months of negotiations. All attention now turns to what will be a free agency bonanza unlike any ever seen in the league’s three decades.

Every veteran is a free agent this offseason, with the exception of Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown. Veterans signed deals that ended after the 2025 season to take advantage of higher salaries under the new CBA. Both the league and union proposed much larger player maximums than the previous high of $249,244. Team salary caps are also skyrocketing from the $1.5 million max in 2025.

Some key figures for free agency:

The salary cap will rise from $1.5M to $7M, a 466% jump
Supermax contracts are up 561% to $1.4M, from around $250K
Minimum salaries above $300,000, with the average salary around $600,000

A large subset of players will opt to stay with their most recent teams, but nothing is guaranteed in a period that could see multiple “superteams” develop. The rise of offseason leagues like Unrivaled and Athletes Unlimited has allowed for more discussions and tryouts of pairings in anticipation of free agency.

Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season

Yahoo Sports compiled a free agency refresher that includes players returning on contract, key unrestricted free agents and draft picks. All players still under contract are listed with their previous salaries, which will rise in 2026 under the new deal. Toronto, which named Sandy Brondello as its head coach, and Portland (Alex Sarama) are not included in this, since they have no one on their rosters and will first partake in an expansion draft on April 3. After Toronto won the coin toss, it elected to take the No. 6 pick in the draft, while Portland will select seventh (and first in the expansion draft).

TEAM (record, in order of finish) | Head coach (tenure) Restricted free agents can sign an offer sheet with another team, but the prior team has the “right of first refusal” to match the terms. Reserved players receive qualifying offers from their teams and can negotiate those contracts, but cannot negotiate with other teams. In the new CBA agreement, All-WNBA players still on rookie contracts would become eligible to sign a max contract in their fourth year; those three active players are noted as such. As for the core designation, players with fewer than six years of experience can be cored, but that rule won’t apply until next season. All salary data is from Her Hoop Stats WNBA Salary Cap Database.

Las Vegas Aces (30-14) | Becky Hammon (fifth season)

Under contract: Aaliyah Nye ($70,635)
Restricted: NaLyssa Smith, Kierstan Bell
Key free agents: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd
Draft picks: Nos. 29 (second round), 44 (third round); the Aces’ first-round pick belongs to Seattle from the Plum/Loyd three-team trade.

The Aces are in their official dynasty era. Gray, Young and four-time MVP Wilson helmed all three of the franchise’s championships since 2022, signing contract extensions ahead of time in years past. It’s most likely all three will be back; Wilson and Young have never played anywhere else.

After winning the 2025 championship, keeping MVP A’ja Wilson — on a new supermax contract — will likely be a top priority for the Aces and coach Becky Hammon. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

(Candice Ward via Getty Images)

If the 2025 championship team showcased one thing, it was that Hammon can pull and push the right levers of nearly any collection of talent to lift a trophy. Re-signing their core three is the priority, but beyond that, they can be flexible and still begin the season as leading championship contenders.

Phoenix Mercury (27-17) | Nate Tibbetts (third season)

Under contract: Kalani Brown ($132,500)
Reserved: Natasha Mack, Kitija Laksa, Monique Akoa Makani, Lexi Held, Karthyrn Westbeld, Kiana Williams
Key free agents: Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, DeWanna Bonner
Draft picks: Nos. 27 (second), 42 (third); the Mercury sent their first-rounder to Chicago for Copper (it is now with Connecticut).

The Mercury built quick chemistry to become the first team in league history to reach the Finals after returning two or fewer players. And they eliminated both reigning Finals participants (Liberty, Lynx) while doing it. Their top-notch facilities make Phoenix a prime landing spot for free agents, as it did a year ago.

They’ll want to keep that core three of Thomas, Copper and Sabally, who sustained a concussion in Game 3 and did not participate as planned in Unrivaled. The front office surrounded them with lesser-known talent from overseas that complemented the trio well, and added Bonner midseason for a veteran presence to stretch the floor. Injuries jostled the roster’s consistency throughout the season.

Indiana Fever (24-20) | Stephanie White (second season)

Under contract: Aliyah Boston ($94,740*), Caitlin Clark ($85,873), Makayla Timpson ($70,653)
Restricted: Lexie Hull
Reserved: Chloe Bibby
Key free agents: Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard
Draft picks: Nos. 10, 25 (second), 40 (third)
*Boston is maximum contract eligible under the new CBA since she was named all-WNBA. Clark is max contract eligible in 2027.

The Fever are in a great spot after falling an overtime period short of the Finals despite Clark missing the majority of the season. Clark and Boston, their back-to-back No. 1 overall picks and foundational linchpins, return on rookie deals, and they have first dibs on re-signing Hull, a sharp-shooting wing who shot 47% from the perimeter while playing next to Clark in 2024.

For the second consecutive offseason, the top priority is keeping Mitchell. The veteran played her two most productive seasons playing alongside Clark and Boston, and has spoken glowingly of her bond with White. Cunningham and Colson are each coming off of season-ending knee injuries that could impact their early-season availability. McDonald (broken foot) is also rehabbing and provided a defensive presence.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 15: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever speaks with Kelsey Mitchell #0 of the Indiana Fever during the first half against the Dallas Wings at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 15, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) — Caitlin Clark has made a public push for the Fever to re-sign 2025 MVP candidate Kelsey Mitchell. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

(Justin Casterline via Getty Images)

Minnesota Lynx (34-10) | Cheryl Reeve (17th season)

Under contract: Dorka Juhasz ($83,248), Anastasiia Olairi Kosu ($70,653)
Reserved: Maria Kliundikova, Jaylyn Sherrod, Camryn Taylor
Key free agents: Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith, Kayla McBride, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman, Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard
Draft picks: Nos. 2, 45 (third); the Lynx received the lottery pick from the Sky, and will also draft the very last selection.

Reeve, the president of basketball operations, and the Lynx front office identified chemistry as their “superpower” and opted to run back the same lineup from their 2024 Finals appearance. The crashout was legendary in what was the Lynx’s title to lose.

The roster leaned heavily veteran, and the top priority will be keeping Collier, the eighth-year forward who finished second in MVP voting. Smith, the reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year, holds her own, but is often undersized at center. Minnesota should tinker with its starting lineup and build depth from the onset.

New York Liberty (27-17) | Chris DeMarco (first season)

Under contract: Nyara Sabally ($90,908)
Reserved: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
Key free agents: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, Emma Meesseman
Draft picks: No. 41 (third); the Liberty traded their first-round pick to Connecticut in the Cloud trade and their second-round pick to Chicago in the Gardner trade.

Looking ahead: Expect a revamped roster in New York after general manager Jonthan Kolb moved on from championship-winning head coach Sandy Brondello with an eye on the need for “evolution and innovation.” The Liberty hired Chris DeMarco, a longtime Golden State Warriors assistant, in December to “bring a modern vision.”

Though the Liberty won the franchise’s first championship in 2024, they are still finding the best recipe around the All-Star trio of Stewart, Ionescu and Jones. Stewart and Jones are former MVPs. Kolb said in September he has the “utmost confidence that they want to be back with us.” New York rolled out two different point guards around them the last two years (Courtney Vandersloot and Natasha Cloud) and could add back defensively stout wing Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who missed last season with injury.

Seattle Storm (23-21) | Sonia Raman (first season)

Under contract: Lexie Brown ($98,818), Dominique Malonga ($80,408), Jordan Horston ($87,080), Nika Muhl ($75,456)
Reserved: Mackenzie Holmes, Zia Cooke
Key free agents: Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Brittney Sykes
Draft picks: Nos. 3, 14, 16 (second), 39 (third); the Storm have the Sparks’ lottery pick from the Kia Nurse trade, and acquired their next two picks from Las Vegas and Dallas, respectively.

Seattle underperformed with its stacked roster and bowed out of the playoffs in the first round the last two years, heralding in a coaching change. The Storm were consistently inconsistent, struggled offensively (eighth offensive rating) and had no depth to rely upon. Though in their favor, they came one bucket away from ousting the eventual champion Aces in the first round.

This offseason is an opportunity to restructure. Malonga, the 2025 No. 2 overall pick, is the player of the future for the Storm. They can begin a build around her with their 2026 lottery pick. Opting to keep Ogwumike, Diggins, Williams and Sykes pushes their starting lineup toward the top in age, but could produce better results under new leadership.

Atlanta Dream (30-14) | Karl Smesko (second season)

Under contract: Te-Hina Paopao ($70,653), Taylor Thierry ($67,401)
Restricted: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
Reserved: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné
Key free agents: Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, Jordin Canada
Draft picks: Nos. 13, 28 (second), 43 (third)

Smesko-ball proved to be a success in its initial WNBA iteration. Their most productive offense in franchise history finished second in rating, same as their defense. They ran into the resilient Fever in a first-round series that went a full best-of-three.

The Dream will focus on returning most of their core. Gray’s best seasons are in Atlanta, where Smesko gave her the “ultimate green light,” and the MVP candidate will be a top priority. Howard will draw a high salary. And the 1-2 punch of Jones and Griner is worth keeping, while Paopao could step into starting point guard minutes.

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 1: Allisha Gray #15 of the Atlanta Dream plays against the Connecticut Sun during a WNBA basketball game at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 1, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) — Allisha Gray has been a breakout star during her time in Atlanta, and the Dream will want to keep her in the fold. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

(Joe Buglewicz via Getty Images)

Washington Mystics (16-28) | Sydney Johnson (second season)

Under contract: Sonia Citron ($80,408), Kiki Iriafen ($80,408), Georgia Amoore ($77,156), Jacy Sheldon ($82,399), Lucy Olsen ($70,653)
Restricted: Sug Sutton, Shakira Austin
Reserved: Emily Engstler, Madison Scott
Key free agents: Alysha Clark, Stefanie Dolson
Draft picks: Nos. 4, 9, 11, 19 (second), 30 (second), 34 (third); Washington acquired its deeper first-round picks in the Brittney Sykes (to Storm) and Aaliyah Edwards (Sun) trades at the deadline.

The Mystics front office, led by first-year general manager Jamila Wideman, is leaning into its youth rebuild movement. Citron and Irifen played in their first All-Star games as rookies and finished the season as the team’s leading scorers. Amoore will be ready to return from an ACL injury she sustained ahead of the regular season.

The initial youth movement began by drafting center Shakira Austin in 2022, who missed significant time in ’23 and ’24 due to injury. Her contract status is the initial domino for the Mystics to make additional roster moves.

Golden State Valkyries (23-21) | Natalie Nakase (second season)

Under contract: Carla Leite ($73,905), Kate Martin ($75,456)
Restricted: Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini
Reserved: Janelle Salaün, Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Iliana Rupert
Key free agents: Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Temi Fagbenle
Draft picks: Nos. 8, 23 (second), 38 (third)

The Valkyries set high standards for every expansion team entering the league within the next four years. Nakase, an assistant on the Aces’ first two championships, succeeded in focusing on defense and will need more offensive weapons to continue competing.

Thornton, who won the 2025 title with New York, emerged as their best threat (14 ppg) and the most active on the boards (7 rpg). Burton (6 apg) earned the Most Improved Player award. With a proven product and environment at Chase Center, drawing in free agents will be easier than a year ago.

Los Angeles Sparks (21-23) | Lynne Roberts (second season)

Under contract: Cameron Brink ($85,873), Rickea Jackson ($85,873), Sarah Ashlee Barker ($73,905), Sania Feagin ($70,653)
Reserved: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
Key free agents: Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby
Draft picks: Nos. 20 (second), 24 (second), 35 (third)

If the Sparks had, as Plum so bluntly stated in August, “play[ed] some f***ing defense,” the season would have looked much different. They finished as the odd-team out between playoffs and lottery picks, allowing a league-worst 88.2 points per game while averaging a second-best 85.7.

Plum (19.5 ppg) and Hamby (18.4 ppg) were the most productive duo in the WNBA with a chemistry that dated back to their 2022 championship with the Aces. They are the top priorities in free agency to return, and after that, the front office will want to target staunch defenders.

Dallas Wings (10-34) | Jose Fernandez (first season)

Under contract: Diamond Miller ($94,740), Maddy Siegrist ($94,740), Paige Bueckers ($80,408), Aziaha James ($73,905), JJ Quinerly ($67,401)
Reserved: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Halley Jones, Grace Berger
Key free agents: Arike Ogunbowale
Draft picks: Nos. 1, 31 (third)
*Bueckers is eligible for a max contract in 2028.

Dallas is the rare franchise this offseason that could field a team without free agency, given its score of WNBA Draft picks in recent years. The Wings enter the season with their third coach in as many years, and their seventh coach in nine seasons. And they once again possess the top selection in April’s collegiate draft.

Their main free agency question is whether they want to bring back volume shooter Ogunbowale. Or if they feel it’s in their best interest to give the keys of the offense to Bueckers, the reigning No. 1 draft pick, and build out an offense that suits her skills. While nothing has been stellar stat-wise for Dallas in recent years, defensive additions should be a focal point after back-to-back seasons ranking dead last in the league in defensive rating.

Connecticut Sun (11-33) | Rachid Meziane (second season)

Under contract: Aneesah Morrow ($77,156), Saniya Rivers ($77,156), Aaliyah Edwards ($82,399), Leila Lacan ($73,905), Rayah Marshall ($70,653)
Restricted: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Haley Peters
Reserved: Mamignan Touré
Key free agents: Marina Mabrey, Tina Charles
Draft picks: Nos. 12, 15, 18 (second), 33 (third); The Sun traded what would have been a lottery pick to the Chicago Sky in the 2024 Marina Mabrey trade.

The first season of the Sun’s rebuild progressed better in the second half of the season, a positive note that they can continue growing around a young group. They’ll need to continue relying on youth and hope Mabrey, who did not want to stay in Connecticut last offseason, and/or Charles stick around for a veteran presence and leading offensive role.

It will be difficult to draw in top talent this offseason. The Sun do not have a dedicated practice facility, and travel to airports is lengthy. The franchise is also reportedly being sold to the ownership group of the NBA’s Rockets and will move to Houston for the 2027 season.

Chicago Sky (10-34) | Tyler Marsh (second season)

Under contract: Kamilla Cardoso ($85,873), Angel Reese ($82,399), Hailey Van Lith ($73,905), Maddy Westbeld ($70,653)
Reserved: Sevgi Uzun
Key free agents: Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse, Ariel Atkins
Draft picks: Nos. 5, 17 (second), 26 (second), 32 (third)

The Sky’s disappointing 2025 ended in drama when Reese called out teammates and indicated she would move on if the franchise didn’t bring in great players in free agency. She said in December, during USA Basketball training camp, she is “under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky.”

The phrasing isn’t concrete and she could request a trade, though it’s up to Chicago to grant that. It could be trickier given the amount of free agents. Chicago can choose to build around its young frontcourt of Reese and Cardoso with better outside shooting to give them more room to work. Vandersloot, whom Reese critiqued by name, is coming off an ACL tear and intends to continue playing.

Source link