Almost every WNBA veteran is a free agent. That promises a lot of chaos and movement when free agency finally starts in April—chaos many fans are actually hoping for. After all, few things are more exciting than an unexpected blockbuster move in free agency.
Even though it’s unlikely that we’ll see someone like A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart on the move, many teams will look very different after free agency.
All those craving some drama and big names on the move should keep an eye on these teams: the Lynx, the Storm, the Valkyries, the Wings, and the Sky.
The Valkyries could mess up other teams’ plans
Few teams are in a better position to wreak havoc in free agency than the Valkyries. They built a winning culture last season, Natalie Nakase proved herself as a coach who can lead a playoff team, the team has modern facilities, ownership that’s willing to invest in its players, and a dedicated fan base, and, most importantly, the Valkyries can afford to chase players looking for a max contract.
Kayla Thornton emerged as an All-Star last season, and Veronica Burton quickly became the heart and soul of the team, but neither will get the new $1.4 million supermax contract. So, the Valkyries are free to chase some big-time free agents, and Golden State should be a very enticing destination, especially for someone looking to become the face of a team or a number-one option.
The Lynx and Storm could be on the wrong side of some big changes
Minnesota and Seattle have star-studded veteran rosters. The question is just how many of those veteran stars will actually re-sign with their respective teams.
The Storm replaced Noelle Quinn with a first-time head coach after another early playoff exit. They also have Dominique Malonga, who is quickly climbing the ladder to WNBA stardom, and another lottery pick coming in. Pivoting from their veteran core of Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Ezi Magbegor, and Gabby Williams to focusing on a rebuild wouldn’t be a bad idea.
If that’s the direction the organization chooses, Ogwumike, Diggins, Williams, Brittney Sykes, and Magbegor could quickly change the landscape of the WNBA by giving other teams just what they need to go from good to great or to get over the hump and build a playoff team.
With Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Alanna Smith, the Lynx’s roster looks very similar when it comes to win-now veteran pieces that could change the trajectory of a team. Collier likely won’t go anywhere, but the other three could move on and help turn other teams into contenders. After a disappointing 2025 season and the news that Collier will miss a good part of the season, at least one of McBride, Smith, and Williams might decide that they have a better chance of competing for a title elsewhere.
The Sky and Wings will chase stars in free agency
The Sky already tried to build a playoff team last offseason and failed spectacularly. This free agency period is their chance for redemption. Since Angel Reese is still on her rookie contract and Ariel Atkins wasn’t even an All-Star last season, the roster doesn’t feature a candidate for a supermax contract. It barely even features any free agents whom the Sky should be desperate to bring back.
That opens up the books for the Sky to chase stars and maybe lure a big name or two away from their current team that cannot pay them quite as much. The prospect of playing with Reese and a brand new practice facility opening soon should only sweeten the pot.
The Wings are in a very similar situation. Paige Bueckers’s rookie contract will scale up, and Arike Ogunbowale will get a lucrative contract if she wants to stay in Dallas, but they don’t have anyone else on the current roster that they have to spend a ton of money on. They have the money and the young talent (Paige Bueckers and their next number-one pick) to pique the interest of stars looking for a big contract and a chance to win with a new team