Since the WNBA and the WNBPA are negotiating a new CBA—arguably the most important one in the league’s history—most veterans will enter some kind of free agency once a new deal is signed. Only two veterans, Lexie Brown and Kalani Brown, didn’t sign long-term deals, and a bunch of players are on their rookie contracts. Everyone else could potentially be on the move, even if many top players will ultimately just re-sign with their current teams.
For veteran-heavy title contenders, this means that they will have to get a lot of new deals done and make some tough decisions, as star players will get significant pay raises. For example, all of the Lynx’s five starters will be unrestricted free agents. The expansion draft for the Fire and Tempo could already change the Lynx’s makeup significantly. A monumental free-agency period could change it even more. The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant shared a worrying assessment of the situation for all those Lynx fans who love the current iteration of the team.
“I don’t think Napheesa Collier is going anywhere,” Merchant said on the latest episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show, “but you look at Alanna Smith, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Courtney Williams. Any of these players, I think, could easily be pilfered—whether they are protected in the expansion draft or not—just by a bigger contract, bigger role, a different situation. You wonder if what’s happened with the Lynx has already run its course.”
Minnesota’s free agents will draw a lot of attention in free agency
Even if teams are pretty certain that Collier isn’t leaving Minnesota, they will try to lure some of the Lynx’s other starting talent away. The Lynx have some of the top free agents in the league.
Kayla McBride is a proven veteran, a tough defender, and one of the best movement shooters in the W. Alanna Smith shared 2025 Defensive Player of the Year honors with A’ja Wilson and is a great 3-point shooter for her position. Bridget Carleton would be a dream target for the Toronto Tempo as one of the top Canadian players currently in the league. Last but not least, Courtney Williams is one of the deadliest mid-range scorers in the game, and she has proven that she can run a high-end offense during her time with the Lynx.
Teams looking to boost their playoff or championship odds will surely keep an eye on the situation in Minnesota. Depending on the offers, the Lynx may just not be able to afford to keep the core together.
Losing some of their starters in free agency would change the Lynx’s makeup, but not necessarily their postseason potential. If Collier re-signs, the Lynx still have one of the best players in the league. They also still have a great veteran coach in Cheryl Reeve and a lottery pick coming in. That will make Minnesota an appealing place for some of the top free agents looking for new opportunities.