In some methods, WNBA free company in 2025 is a gown rehearsal for the insanity to come back subsequent yr.
With the league and its gamers affiliation starting the method of negotiating a brand new collective bargaining settlement (CBA) and the expectation that the wage cap will leap dramatically due to escalating nationwide TV offers that start in 2026, just about each veteran WNBA participant will probably be a free agent in 12 months.
Additionally, the power for WNBA groups to designate core gamers — one thing that might change within the subsequent CBA — will form this yr’s free company. Three of the highest 5 gamers in my wins above substitute (WARP) participant projections are eligible to obtain the core designation, and 5 of the highest 10.
Still, loads of motion is likely to be on the horizon because the negotiating and commerce interval opens Jan. 21. And, just like the groups that met in October’s WNBA Finals, franchises can have the power to vary their fortunes in free company. The WNBA champion New York Liberty constructed an excellent group in 2023 by signing former MVP Breanna Stewart and All-Star Courtney Vandersloot, whereas the 2024 runner-up Minnesota Lynx bolstered their core final offseason by including Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams as free brokers.
Who are the highest gamers who could possibly be difference-makers on this yr’s free company? Let’s break down my prime 10 as projected for the upcoming season based mostly on their efficiency over the previous three seasons and their age. And we have a look at eight different key gamers obtainable.
New York Liberty, ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 30
Projected WARP: 7.8
Stewart’s transfer to New York in free company two years in the past stays the largest in league historical past, translating into the Liberty’s first WNBA championship final season. Because final yr’s core designation was Stewart’s first, New York can apply the core once more. Either approach, she appears sure to stick with the Liberty on one other one-year deal that permits Stewart to get a deserved increase in 2026 and will create cap flexibility for New York so as to add expertise round her.
Seattle Storm, ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 34
Projected WARP: 4.3
Last season’s most notable free agent to vary groups, Ogwumike’s departure from the Los Angeles Sparks for the Storm did not translate into the type of playoff success the group had hoped for, however she was extremely productive individually. Ogwumike was Seattle’s greatest participant, capturing a career-high 40.5% on 3s and incomes All-WNBA second-team honors for the third consecutive yr.
Having already been cored the utmost two occasions throughout her time with the Sparks, Ogwumike will probably be fully unrestricted as she was in 2024. But Ogwumike’s offseason media appearances — together with speaking about her shut relationship with Storm coach Noelle Quinn on the “A Touch More” podcast with Seattle co-owner Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe — have sounded as if she plans to return.
Connecticut Sun, ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 32
Projected WARP: 3.9
A top-five finisher in MVP voting every of the previous three seasons, Thomas has by no means rated fairly as nicely by WARP as anticipated based mostly on her low-efficiency scoring. Of course, Thomas contributes in quite a few different methods, together with rating second within the WNBA in assists per sport with 7.9 in each 2023 and 2024 and defending quite a lot of totally different positions. Thomas has been the fixed as Connecticut has reached the WNBA semifinals six consecutive years.
Remarkably, Thomas has by no means been cored, which means she’s eligible to obtain that designation after finishing a four-year deal signed in 2021. The query then turns into whether or not Thomas would possibly push for a commerce after telling The Next web site throughout the playoffs that having to share the group’s follow court docket with a party was “the ultimate disrespect.”
Forward
Age as of Feb. 1: 31
Projected WARP: 3.7
Meesseman final performed within the WNBA in 2022, when she was an All-Star after averaging 12.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG and three.8 APG for a Chicago Sky group that tied for the league’s greatest report throughout the common season. The previous two years, Meesseman has prioritized representing her nationwide group, leading to a gold for Belgium at 2023 EuroBasket and a visit to the semifinals within the Paris Olympics.
That may change this season, with Meesseman’s coach on the nationwide group (Rachid Meziane) becoming a member of Connecticut as head coach. Meesseman stays a dominant worldwide participant, having led all scorers final yr throughout Olympic play at 23.3 PPG to make the match’s All-Star Five.
Las Vegas Aces, guard
Age as of Feb. 1: 30
Projected WARP: 3.7
It’s uncommon for the Aces to have a key participant hit free company. Their stars have usually signed extensions beforehand, together with Plum in July 2022. Although Las Vegas may use the core designation on Plum, that may point out an curiosity in testing the market.
An All-Star every of the previous three years and an All-WNBA first-team choose in 2022, Plum has seen her scoring decline since. Last yr’s slight dip was largely tied to Plum capturing 37% on 3s, which seems to be just like the outlier. Plum hit at the very least 38.6% of her 3-pointers in every of the earlier three seasons and shot 39% over the season’s ultimate 27 video games.
Connecticut Sun, heart
Age as of Feb. 1: 29
Projected WARP: 3.7
Despite sustaining an Achilles rupture in June 2023, remarkably Jones was again on the court docket for opening night time and performed in all 40 video games final season for the Sun. An All-Star for the third time prior to now 4 seasons — a stretch interrupted solely by the damage — Jones noticed her per-minute scoring (18.2 per 36 minutes) stay in line with the 13 video games she performed in 2023.
Having been Connecticut’s core participant every of the previous two years, Jones will probably be totally unrestricted, and figures to attract max affords from different groups.
Connecticut Sun, ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 37
Projected WARP: 3.6
The third key Sun free agent, Bonner turned 37 throughout the 2023 season however stays one of many league’s most sturdy gamers. Bonner performed all 40 video games for the second consecutive yr and averaged 15.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG whereas extending a streak of her group reaching the playoffs each season since 2013. (Bonner missed the 2017 season as a result of she gave delivery to twins, however her Phoenix Mercury group superior to the playoffs.)
Bonner’s future is likely to be tied to her fiancée, Alyssa Thomas, however sources instructed ESPN’s Alexa Philippou final yr that Bonner thought-about becoming a member of different groups as an unrestricted free agent — together with the Mercury and Storm — earlier than re-signing in Connecticut.
Phoenix Mercury, heart
Age as of Feb. 1: 34
Projected WARP: 3.4
Since being free of wrongful detainment in Russia, Griner has remained one of many WNBA’s prime submit gamers, averaging 17.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 1.5 BPG final season. Her 58% capturing was narrowly a profession excessive. Only Griner sitting out a mixed 19 video games over the previous two seasons retains her from rating larger on this listing.
Having performed her whole profession in Phoenix, Griner has re-signed with the Mercury as an unrestricted free agent the previous two offseasons, and there is no motive to count on that to vary.
Dallas Wings, ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 26
Projected WARP: 2.7
Consider Sabally a free agent to look at regardless of Dallas’ means to designate her as a core participant. The Wings should handle the potential of getting each Sabally and guard Arike Ogunbowale as unrestricted free brokers in 2026 if Sabally performs out a one-year deal, which might imply having to decide on between the 2 for a single core spot at most.
The time Sabally has sat out as a result of damage over the previous three seasons, together with all 25 video games earlier than the 2024 Olympic break due to shoulder surgical procedure, pushes her projection down. When on the court docket, Sabally has been one of many league’s greatest gamers, incomes All-WNBA first-team honors and successful Most Improved Player in 2023. Add that Sabally is definitely the youngest participant within the prime 10 free brokers and Dallas may get tantalizing commerce affords if she prefers to play elsewhere.
Indiana Fever, guard
Age as of Feb. 1: 29
Projected WARP: 2.7
Once Mitchell clicked with Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark, they fashioned one of many WNBA’s most dynamic backcourt duos. Mitchell performed the very best basketball of her profession after the Olympic break, averaging 24.8 PPG on 45% 3-point capturing earlier than taking part in solely 5 minutes within the Fever’s season finale with the group locked into its playoff spot.
Using the core designation on Mitchell will probably be a straightforward alternative for Indiana, assuring one other yr for Mitchell to develop alongside Clark and Aliyah Boston.
Other free brokers of be aware
Connecticut Sun, guard
Age as of Feb. 1: 27
Projected WARP: 1.8
Restricted free agent
As the highest restricted free agent obtainable, Carrington is in an attention-grabbing spot. We have not seen a restricted free agent signal a suggestion sheet since 2020, and any cope with one other group should be for at least two years — which might stop Carrington from getting a giant increase in 2026 when the cap jumps. Still, such a deal could possibly be price signing if the Sun aren’t prepared to enhance the $82,754 qualifying supply they have to tender to make her a restricted free agent. That may present leverage for Carrington to get extra on a one-year cope with Connecticut or negotiate a sign-and-trade elsewhere.
Chicago Sky, guard
Age as of Feb. 1: 26
Projected WARP: 1.5
Restricted free agent
Like Carrington, Carter should cope with the problems of restricted free company. Having spent 2023 out of the WNBA and performed for the league minimal final season, Carter won’t have as broad a market regardless of a breakout season that noticed her common 17.5 PPG on 49% capturing.
Atlanta Dream, heart
Age as of Feb. 1: 36
Projected WARP: 1.5
Also out of the WNBA in 2023, Charles began all 39 video games final season for the Dream, averaging 14.9 PPG and 9.6 RPG. There was a reputable argument for Charles to be an All-Star. She turned the WNBA’s all-time main rebounder final season and handed Tina Thompson for second on the league’s scoring listing, although catching Diana Taurasi — almost 3,000 factors forward — is not lifelike.
Las Vegas Aces, guard/ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 35
Projected WARP: 1.4
After asserting her retirement from the WNBA in December 2023, Hayes reconsidered and joined the Aces six video games into final season. Hayes overcame the missed time to win the Sixth Player of the Year award, averaging 9.5 PPG off the bench on 50% capturing from the sector and 40% from 3-point vary. Assuming Hayes needs to proceed taking part in within the WNBA — she’s at the moment lively within the Unrivaled 3-on-3 league — she has loads left to contribute.
Dallas Wings, ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 33
Projected WARP: 1.2
At season’s finish, Howard posted on social media, “I look ahead to this subsequent chapter with a brand new group and new metropolis,” suggesting she would not plan to stay with the Wings. Long one of many WNBA’s most versatile submit gamers, Howard figures to be a robust various for groups that may’t land the likes of Ogwumike and Meesseman at energy ahead. A return to Indiana, the place Howard started her WNBA profession, would make a whole lot of sense.
Phoenix Mercury, guard
Age as of Feb. 1: 42
Projected WARP: 0.8
Taurasi has but to point whether or not she plans to retire or return for an unprecedented twenty first WNBA season after being honored with a possible “If it is the final time …” celebration when the Mercury closed out the 2024 season. Fans chanted, “One more year,” and there is no query if it occurs that will occur with Phoenix, Taurasi’s solely WNBA group.
New York Liberty, guard
Age as of Feb. 1: 35
Projected WARP: 1.5
With Vandersloot away from the group for bereavement go away after the dying of her mom, Jan, she noticed her position change with Sabrina Ionescu‘s improvement as an on-ball creator. Vandersloot averaged a career-low 22.3 MPG and moved out of New York’s beginning lineup throughout the playoffs. On a group with much less shot creation, Vandersloot’s playmaking — nonetheless elite — may show extra beneficial, alongside along with her veteran mentorship of one other promising level guard like Ionescu.
Seattle Storm, ahead
Age as of Feb. 1: 28
Projected WARP: 1.3
Williams’ projection is artificially low as a result of she performed solely 22 video games over the previous two WNBA seasons, becoming a member of the Storm late due to a concussion sustained taking part in in France throughout 2023 and her dedication to the French nationwide group final yr. Also voted to the Olympic All-Star Five after main the host nation to the gold-medal sport, Williams averaged a career-high 10.3 PPG in 12 video games for Seattle.
Now that Williams is taking part in in Turkey for EuroLeague energy Fenerbahce, the WNBA’s prioritization rule will not have an effect on her availability. (Williams most likely will miss time to characterize France within the June EuroBasket competitors.) As a consequence, count on Williams to attract max-level affords.
