WNBA free agency tracker: Sky trade Angel Reese to Dream; A'ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu plan to stay with their teams (original) (raw)

With a new collective bargaining agreement in tow, the WNBA is barreling toward the start of the 2026 season on May 8. But first, the majority of players still need to sign contracts.

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.

Some key figures for free agency:

The salary cap will rise from 1.5Mto1.5M to 1.5Mto7M, a 466% jump
Supermax contracts are up 561% to 1.4M,fromaround1.4M, from around 1.4M,fromaround250K
Minimum salaries above 300,000,withtheaveragesalaryaround300,000, with the average salary around 300,000,withtheaveragesalaryaround600,000

The WNBA announced Sunday that qualifying offers will be due April 6 and 7, the pre-free agency negotiation period will take place from April 8-10 and players will be eligible to officially sign contracts starting April 11.

The expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo is in the books, the collegiate draft is April 13 and the preseason begins April 19.

For more on each team’s free agency situation, check out our team-by-team free agency primer. And click on the team name below to jump to view notable free agents and the latest developments in each city:

Las Vegas Aces

Under contract: Aaliyah Nye
Restricted: NaLyssa Smith, Kierstan Bell
Notable free agents: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd

Restricted qualifying offer extended: Kierstan Bell, NaLyssa Smith

Latest news: 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.”

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 21: A'ja Wilson looks on during the game between the Miami Heat and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

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, Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, DeWanna Bonner

Reserved qualifying offer extended: Natasha Mack, Monique Akoa Makani, Kathryn Westbeld, Kiana Williams

Indiana Fever

Under contract: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Makayla Timpson
Restricted: Lexie Hull
Reserved: Chloe Bibby
Notable free agents: Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard

Core qualifying offer extended: Kelsey Mitchell
Restricted qualifying offer extended: Lexie Hull

Minnesota Lynx

Under contract: Dorka Juhasz, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu
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

Reserved qualifying offer extended: Jaylyn Sherrod
Core qualifying offer extended: Napheesa Collier

New York Liberty

Under contract: Nyara Sabally
Reserved: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
Notable free agents: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, Emma Meesseman

Reserved qualifying offer extended: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
Core qualifying offer extended: Sabrina Ionescu

Latest news: Stewart and Ionescu confirmed their intentions to remain with the Liberty on Wednesday. _“_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, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Brittney Sykes

Reserved qualifying offer extended: Zia Cooke, Mackenzie Holmes
Core qualifying offer extended: Ezi Magbegor

Atlanta Dream

Under contract: Te-Hina Paopao, Taylor Thierry, Angel Reese
Restricted: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
Reserved: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné
Notable free agents: Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, Jordin Canada

Reserved qualifying offer extended: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Lorela Cubaj, Sika Koné
Core qualifying offer extended: Allisha Gray

Latest news: 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, Lucy Olsen
Restricted: Sug Sutton, Shakira Austin
Reserved: Emily Engstler, Madison Scott
Notable free agents: Alysha Clark, Stefanie Dolson

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

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, Dearica Hamby

Reserved qualifying offer extended: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
Core qualifying offer extended: Kelsey Plum

Dallas Wings

Under contract: Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist, Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly
Reserved: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Halley Jones, Grace Berger
Notable free agents: Arike Ogunbowale

Reserved qualifying offer extended: Grace Berger, Li Yueru
Core qualifying offer extended: Arike Ogunbowale

Connecticut Sun

Under contract: Aneesah Morrow, Saniya Rivers, Aaliyah Edwards, Leila Lacan, Rayah Marshall
Restricted: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Haley Peters
Reserved: Mamignan Touré
Notable free agents: Marina Mabrey, Tina Charles

Restricted qualifying offer extended: Mamignan Touré, Olivia Nelson-Ododa

Chicago Sky

Under contract: Kamilla Cardoso, Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld
Reserved: Sevgi Uzun
Notable free agents: Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse, Ariel Atkins

Core qualifying offer extended: Ariel Atkins

Latest news: 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

Toronto Tempo

Under contract: N/A
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