WNBA free agency enters its fourth day, and things are just starting to heat up.
On Wednesday, a Minnesota-based balloon company caused a frenzy among WNBA fans after sharing a video connected to free agent Nneka Ogwumike, which seemed to insinuate the forward was signing with the Minnesota Lynx. Ogwumike later clarified the balloons were related to a meeting, deflating hours of speculation.
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The free agency buzz didn’t end with Ogwumike balloon-gate. Free agent forward Satou Sabally confirmed she wasn’t returning to the Phoenix Mercury after one year with the franchise. It’s unclear where Sabally will land in the coming days.
As free agency continues, it can be hard to keep up with all the movement. USA TODAY has you covered with the latest news, rumors, updates and more.
Nneka Ogwumike responds to balloon-gate
A Minnesota-based balloon company caused quite the stir on Wednesday after sharing a video connected to Nneka Ogwumike, one of the top free agents. Amazing Balloons MC LLC posted a now-deleted video that showed the company arranging a blue and green balloon arch around marquee letter that read, “Welcome Nneka.” The balloon arrangement was assembled on a basketball court featuring the Minnesota Lynx, which led many fans to speculate that Ogwumike was signing with the Lynx in free agency.
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Ogwumike shared a carousel of memes on Instagram in response to the video and speculation, including a viral video of a person crying with the caption, “Me (because) I can’t travel in peace.” (Warning: NSFW language in videos below)
Ogwumike spent the last two seasons in Seattle after 12 in Los Angeles. The 10-time All-Star averaged 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season, while shooting 51.9% from the field.
Satou Sabally confirms Phoenix Mercury departure
On Wednesday, free agent forward Satou Sabally confirmed she isn’t returning to Phoenix after one year with the franchise. Sabally shared a photo gallery on Instagram with the caption “Best year yet. Thank you, Phoenix.”
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Free agents with core designations or core qualifying offers
Any player who receives a core qualifying offer (or core designation) is essential to a team’s overall success and identity. Any player given a core tag would no longer be an unrestricted free agent, and the team owns the exclusive rights to that player. Per the WNBA CBA, the player will be offered a one-year supermax contract (worth $1.4 million), but different terms can be negotiated with the team. Also, if the two sides reach an impasse, they can partner to negotiate a sign-and-trade agreement.
Here are the players who were cored by their respective teams:
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Atlanta Dream: G Allisha Gray
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Chicago Sky: G Ariel Atkins
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Dallas Wings: G Arike Ogunbowale
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Indiana Kelsey: G Kelsey Mitchell
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Los Angeles Sparks: G Kelsey Plum
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Minnesota Lynx: G Napheesa Collier
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New York Liberty: G Sabrina Ionescu
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Portland Fire: F Bridget Carleton
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Seattle Storm: F/C Ezi Magbegor
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Toronto Tempo: G Marina Mabrey
Free agents with reserve or restricted offers:
Reserve offer: Player with three years of service or less, who receives an offer; the team has exclusive negotiation rights.
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Restricted: Player with four years of service, whose team extends an offer. The player can negotiate with other teams, but the previous team has the first right of refusal. The team can match other offers.
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Los Angeles Sparks: F Rae Burrell (Reserved)
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Las Vegas Aces: F NaLyssa Smith (Restricted)
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Washington Mystics: C Shakira Austin (Restricted)
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Connecticut Sun: F Olivia Nelson-Ododa (Restricted)
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Atlanta Dream: G Rhyne Howard (Restricted), F Naz Hillmon (Restricted)
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Golden State Valkyries: G Veronica Burton (Restricted), F Janelle Salaün (Reserved)
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Phoenix Mercury: F Natasha Mack (Reserved), G Monique Akoa Makani (Reserved
Trade: Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese to Atlanta Dream
Background: After a tumultuous second season with Sky that included a suspension for comments Reese made about the team and her teammates, Reese said she planned to play in Chicago for a third season. “I’m under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky,” the forward said in December. Now, she moves on to Atlanta in a trade for picks.
Expected Contract: Reese is still on her rookie contract. When drafted by Chicago in 2024, the former Sky forward signed a four-year, $324,383 contract, including an average annual salary of $81,096. In 2026, Reese will earn a base salary of $350,692, while carrying a cap hit of $350,692.
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Signing: F Breanna Stewart
Type of free agent: Unrestricted free agent
Background: Breanna Stewart made it clear 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.
Team player signed with: New York Liberty (unofficially)
Expected Contract: TBD
Signing: C A’ja Wilson
Type of free agent: Unrestricted free agent
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.
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Team player signed with: Las Vegas Aces (unofficially)
Expected Contract: Wilson is expected to re-sign with the team on a WNBA supermax salary of $1.4 million
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 WNBA free agency live: Ogwumike clarifies viral balloon video, Sabally on move
