Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is expected to enter free agency, per ESPN. WNBA free agency is set to officially begin in February, but players and teams can begin talking now. Griner is currently participating in Unrivaled Basketball, so she will be focusing on both helping her team while preparing to potentially sign with a new WNBA team.
Griner, 34, is still one of the better players in the WNBA. A nine-time All-Star, one has to imagine that many teams will have interest in signing Griner. She made her debut in 2013 with the Mercury. Phoenix is the only WNBA team Griner has ever known , something that may change this offseason.
In 2024, Griner averaged 17.8 points per game while shooting 57.9 percent from the field. She added 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per outing. A center, Griner is more than capable of making a big impact on both ends of the floor. Teams in need of a center upgrade will likely be the first to reach out to Griner.
There is still a chance that Griner will return to the Mercury, however. Her decision to enter free agency does not guarantee a departure. If Phoenix wants to bring her back, they can make her an offer in hopes of a reunion.
The Mercury want to compete in 2025, but losing Griner would obviously be far from ideal. Phoenix would need to find a center replacement, and that may prove to be a challenge. The Mercury have other questions on their roster to answer as well. This could prove to be a difficult offseason for the team.
What other teams may attempt to sign Griner? One has to imagine that she will prefer to join a contending team. The Connecticut Sun or Seattle Storm could make sense, but it remains to be seen which teams have interest. Teams that aren't ready to compete for a championship may reach out to Griner, as her veteran experience would be important for them.
In other words, Brittney Griner is going to have options this offseason. The question is whether or not she will indeed leave Phoenix. Leaving the Mercury will likely be a challenging decision, but it is one she could make if a better opportunity presents itself.
WNBA free agency is going to be exciting to follow as stars such as Griner prepare to make big decisions.