With a newly enacted collective bargaining agreement, the WNBA is making rapid progress towards the commencement of its 2026 season on May 8. However, a majority of the athletes still need to formalize their playing agreements.
Every experienced player is entering free agency this offseason, with the sole exceptions of Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown. These veteran players previously signed deals that concluded after the 2025 season, strategically positioning themselves to benefit from increased salaries under the updated CBA.
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The cap for player salaries is projected to surge by 466%, escalating from $1.5 million to $7 million
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Supermax agreements have seen a substantial increase of 561%, now reaching $1.4 million from approximately $250,000
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Entry-level salaries will exceed $300,000, with the average player compensation estimated around $600,000
The WNBA announced on Sunday that the deadline for qualifying offers is April 6 and 7. The negotiation window preceding free agency is scheduled for April 8-10, and players will be authorized to officially sign contracts beginning April 11.
The expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo has concluded, the collegiate draft is set for April 13, and the preseason slate starts on April 19.
For an in-depth look at each team’s free agency standing, consult our detailed team-by-team free agency overview. You can also select any team name below to directly access information on their prominent free agents and the latest developments in their respective cities:
Las Vegas Aces | Phoenix Mercury | Indiana Fever | Minnesota Lynx | New York Liberty | Seattle Storm | Atlanta Dream | Washington Mystics | Golden State Valkyries | Los Angeles Sparks | Dallas Wings | Connecticut Sun | Chicago Sky | Portland Fire | Toronto Tempo
Las Vegas Aces
Under contract: Kierstan Bell, Jackie Young
Restricted: NaLyssa Smith
Notable free agents: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray (re-signing), Jewell Loyd (re-signing)
Restricted qualifying offer extended: Kierstan Bell, (re-signed) NaLyssa Smith
Latest news: Signings include Kierstan Bell, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and Jewell Loyd; Wilson confirmed at Team USA’s media availability that she does not intend to test the free agent market, saying, “I’m not leaving Vegas, so I’m not looking anywhere.”
A’ja Wilson is likely to sign a supermax contract to stay with the 2025 WNBA champion Las Vegas Aces. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
(Kenneth Richmond via Getty Images)
Phoenix Mercury
Under contract: Kalani Brown
Reserved: Natasha Mack, Kitija Laksa, Monique Akoa Makani, Lexi Held, Karthyrn Westbeld, Kiana Williams
Notable free agents: Alyssa Thomas (re-signing), Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally (signing with Liberty), DeWanna Bonner
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Natasha Mack, Monique Akoa Makani, Kathryn Westbeld, Kiana Williams
Latest news: Alyssa Thomas is reportedly re-signing with the Mercury.
Indiana Fever
Under contract: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Makayla Timpson
Restricted: Lexie Hull
Reserved: Chloe Bibby
Notable free agents: Kelsey Mitchell (re-signing), Sophie Cunningham (re-signing), Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard
Core qualifying offer extended: Kelsey Mitchell
Restricted qualifying offer extended: Lexie Hull
Latest news: Sophie Cunningham is returning to Indiana on a one-year deal; Signing Monique Billings and Tyasha Harris; Lexie Hull is returning to Indiana; Fever are reportedly signing Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year supermax deal.
Minnesota Lynx
Under contract: Dorka Juhasz, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu
Reserved: Maria Kliundikova, Jaylyn Sherrod, Camryn Taylor
Key free agents: Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith (signing with Wings), Kayla McBride, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Williams (re-signing), Natisha Hiedeman (signing with Storm), Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard (signing with Wings)
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Jaylyn Sherrod
Core qualifying offer extended: Napheesa Collier
Latest news: Courtney Williams signing two-year max deal.
New York Liberty
Under contract: Nyara Sabally (drafted by Toronto Tempo)
Reserved: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
Notable free agents: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones (re-signing), Natasha Cloud, Emma Meesseman
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
Core qualifying offer extended: Sabrina Ionescu
Latest news: Jonquel Jones is returning on a multiyear deal; Satou Sabally is reportedly signing a multiyear deal with the Liberty.
Stewart and Ionescu confirmed their intentions to remain with the Liberty. “Good luck to everybody else in free agency,” Stewart said, “but I’m not a part of that.”
The two brought New York its first championship in 2024, though their title-winning coach, Sandy Brondello, moved on to join the expansion Toronto Tempo this offseason. Former Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco will be at the helm for the 2026 season.
Seattle Storm
Under contract: Lexie Brown, Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, Nika Muhl
Reserved: Mackenzie Holmes, Zia Cooke
Notable free agents: Nneka Ogwumike (signing with Los Angeles), Skylar Diggins (signing with Chicago), Gabby Williams (signing with Golden State), Ezi Magbegor, Brittney Sykes (signing with Toronto)
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Zia Cooke, Mackenzie Holmes
Core qualifying offer extended: Ezi Magbegor
Latest news: Signing Stefanie Dolson; Reportedly signing Natisha Hiedeman to a two-year deal.
Atlanta Dream
Under contract: Te-Hina Paopao, Taylor Thierry, Angel Reese
Restricted: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon (re-signing)
Reserved: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné
Notable free agents: Allisha Gray (re-signing), Brionna Jones (re-signing), Brittney Griner (signed with Sun), Jordin Canada
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Lorela Cubaj, Sika Koné
Core qualifying offer extended: Allisha Gray
Latest news: The Dream are reportedly signing All-Star Allisha Gray to a multi-year, “max-plus” deal; Naz Hillmon is also set to return, as is Brionna Jones; The Dream acquired Angel Reese, who’s under contract, from the Sky in exchange for Atlanta’s first-round picks in both 2027 and 2028. The teams also swapped second-round picks in 2028.
Washington Mystics
Under contract: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Georgia Amoore, Jacy Sheldon (traded to Sky), Lucy Olsen
Restricted: Sug Sutton, Shakira Austin (signing with Tempo)
Reserved: Emily Engstler, Madison Scott
Notable free agents: Alysha Clark, Stefanie Dolson (signing with Storm)
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Bernadett Határ, Madison Scott, Shakira Austin
Golden State Valkyries
Under contract: Carla Leite, Kate Martin
Restricted: Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini
Reserved: Janelle Salaün, Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Iliana Rupert
Notable free agents: Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Temi Fagbenle
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Janelle Salaün, Cecilia Zandalasini, Ilianan Rupert, Kaitlyn Chen, Veronica Burton, Laeticia Amihere
Latest news: Re-signed Veronica Burton; signing Gabby Williams to multiyear deal.
Los Angeles Sparks
Under contract: Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Sania Feagin
Reserved: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
Notable free agents: Kelsey Plum (re-signing), Dearica Hamby (re-signing)
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
Core qualifying offer extended: Kelsey Plum
Latest news: Kelsey Plum is returning to the Sparks on a team-friendly deal; Sparks are re-signing Dearica Hamby; Nneka Ogwumike is returning to the Sparks after spending her first 12 seasons in L.A.
Dallas Wings
Under contract: Maddy Siegrist, Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly, Rayah Marshall
Reserved: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Halley Jones, Grace Berger
Notable free agents: Arike Ogunbowale (re-signing)
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Grace Berger, Li Yueru
Core qualifying offer extended: Arike Ogunbowale
Latest news: Alanna Smith is joining the team on a three-year max contract; Arike Ogunbowale is re-signing with the team on a seven-figure, multi-year deal; Wings signing Jessica Shepard on a multi-year deal; Dallas picked up second-year center Rayah Marshall, who is still on her rookie deal, in a trade with the Sun.
Connecticut Sun
Under contract: Aneesah Morrow, Saniya Rivers, Aaliyah Edwards, Leila Lacan, Diamond Miller (acquired in trade with Wings), Brittney Griner
Restricted: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Haley Peters
Reserved: Mamignan Touré
Notable free agents: Marina Mabrey (signing with Toronto), Tina Charles
Restricted qualifying offer extended: Mamignan Touré, Olivia Nelson-Ododa
Latest news: Signing Kennedy Burke; Connecticut is reportedly signing All-Star center Brittney Griner to a seven-figure deal. Also, the Sun acquired Diamond Miller in a trade with the Wings; Miller is under a one-year team option on the fourth year of her rookie deal.
Chicago Sky
Under contract: Kamilla Cardoso, Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld
Reserved: Sevgi Uzun
Notable free agents: Courtney Vandersloot (re-signing), Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse, Ariel Atkins
Core qualifying offer extended: Ariel Atkins
Latest news: Courtney Vandersloot is returning to the Sky; Skylar Diggins is signing a two-year deal with Chicago; The Sky acquired Jacy Sheldon in a trade with Washington, which receives a 2028 first-round pick. Azurá Stevens is signing a three-year deal with the Sky; the Sky traded Angel Reese, who’s under contract, to the Atlanta Dream.
Portland Fire
Under contract: N/A
Notable free agents: N/A
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Luisa Geiselsöder, Sug Sutton, Maya Caldwell, Haley Jones, Chloe Bibby, Emily Engstler
Core qualifying offer extended: Bridget Carleton
Latest news: Bridget Carleton signed a three-year max deal.
Toronto Tempo
Under contract: Nyara Sabally, Aaliyah Nye
Notable free agents: N/A
Reserved qualifying offer extended: Lexi Held, Kitija Laksa, Nikolina Milić, Julie Allemand, Maria Kliundikova,
Core qualifying offer extended: Marina Mabrey
Latest news: Isabelle Harrison signing one-year deal; Shakira Austin is signing a three-year max offer sheet; the Tempo are reportedly signing Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes to two-year max contracts.
