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Tag: Brittney
Analyzing every WNBA free agency signing: Satou Sabally, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum on the move
The busiest time of the WNBA offseason is upon us as free agents meet with their prospective teams leading up to Feb. 1, when they can sign contracts.
The prospects of a new collective bargaining agreement will influence this season’s free agency, but expect to see stars change uniforms and championship contenders rearrange their rosters. Follow this tracker, where you’ll find news and analysis of moves that could reshape the league.
Grading the moves
The last significant domino of the 2025 WNBA offseason has fallen.
The Phoenix Mercury are acquiring two-time WNBA All-Star Satou Sabally from the Dallas Wings in a three-team deal that also involves the Indiana Fever, according to ESPN.
Phoenix gives: 2025 No. 19, Ty Harris, Sophie Cunningham, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan
Phoenix gets: Satou Sabally, Kalani Brown, Sevgi UzunIndiana gives: 2025 No. 8, NaLyssa Smith
Indiana gets: Cunningham, No. 19Dallas gives: Brown, Sabally, Uzun
Dallas gets: Harris, Smith, Herbert Harrigan, No. 8A new Big 3 in Phoenix?! pic.twitter.com/9abaFBqvV0
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 1, 2025
Phoenix: A+
One of the concerns I had about the Mercury after the Alyssa Thomas sign-and-trade was that they had exhausted all of their potential assets for another deal. Even as league sources continued to indicate that Phoenix was making a push for Sabally, the math didn’t quite add up.
Those concerns did not come to pass. Instead, the Mercury had enough to get a deal done, turning their last 2024 rotation player plus Ty Harris – whose addition to the Thomas deal was a stroke of genius – into Sabally, who was a top-five player during her last fully healthy season in 2023. Phoenix didn’t even have to give up swap rights on its 2027 first-round pick (a.k.a. the JuJu Watkins draft), as its 2025 second-round selection (No. 19) was enough to get the deal done.
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan has some athletic promise, but she didn’t exactly pan out with the Mercury. The worst part of this deal is that Phoenix had to take on some bad salary in the form of Kalani Brown. That might hurt in 2025 as the Mercury fill out the rest of the roster, but once the cap goes up in 2026, her number will likely be the equivalent of a minimum deal.
Indiana: B+
The Fever swapped out Smith for a better fitting player in Cunningham at the cost of moving down 11 spots in the draft. With the acquisition of Natasha Howard in free agency, Smith’s skill set became redundant, while Cunningham can play the three or the four. It’s worth wondering if the front office could have avoided surrendering a first-round pick, but Indiana should be better in the short term with Cunningham, who has been a veritable 3-and-D forward over her last four seasons in Phoenix. The Fever are also overloaded with young talent, so they can afford to surrender some draft capital.
Dallas: D
To surrender an all-WNBA talent and get one rotation player in Harris — the jury is still out on Smith — plus a late first-rounder doesn’t seem like enough value for Sabally. At least the Wings cleared out Kalani Brown’s money, but they didn’t get any players on rookie contracts or high-upside draft assets. Phoenix legally couldn’t trade its 2027 first-rounder, but to not even get a swap in that draft feels like a miss for Dallas.
For readers who saw Connecticut’s A grade in the Alyssa Thomas trade (see below) and are wondering about the difference: Consider this a mea culpa. Cloud and Allen are better overall than Harris and Smith, but not by as significant of a margin, though Cloud has positional value because of the dearth of quality point guards league-wide. The Sun can likely flip Cloud into another first-round pick, and potentially even Allen, while Harris wouldn’t command a similar return. Even so, both teams should have negotiated harder with the Mercury. In hindsight, Connecticut’s return should have been in the C range, and Dallas’ is lower because of the lesser talent.
Atlanta Dream: B+
The Atlanta Dream made their second splashy free-agent signing in as many days, agreeing to terms with center Bri Jones. Jones now joins former Phoenix center Brittney Griner in a revamped Dream frontcourt under new head coach Karl Smesko.
The pairing of Jones and Griner seems duplicative, given both are post-up centers who will dabble in midrangers but don’t shoot 3s. They are both also paint-bound defenders. It’s an even more curious duo since Smesko’s offenses at Florida Gulf Coast never had a back-to-the-basket presence, let alone two.
However, from a pure talent perspective, signing Jones is a no-brainer. She is a three-time All-Star and a FIBA World Cup champion. Jones was sixth league-wide in win shares in 2024 after finishing third in the W in both 2021 and 2022 (she missed most of the 2023 season with a torn achilles). Jones is also comfortable playing next to another big full-time, whether that was Alyssa Thomas or Jonquel Jones in Connecticut, so she should comfortably adapt to sharing the court with Griner. Although she doesn’t space the floor traditionally, she is a good cutter, allowing her to play off the ball. It’s worth noting that neither Jones nor Griner is an above-average defensive rebounder, however, which could be a deficiency of their pairing.
Jones has been a sixth woman as recently as 2022 — and earned an All-Star nod that season — so it’s possible she will come off the bench, allowing Atlanta to stagger her and Griner alongside fourth-year forward Naz Hillmon. However, it’s more likely that her pedigree will put her into the starting lineup, creating a jumbo look with the 6-foot-9 Griner, 6-2 Rhyne Howard, and 6-foot Allisha Gray.
Perhaps most importantly, bringing in Jones is another indicator that the Dream are becoming a desired free-agent destination. Atlanta’s offseason acquisitions a year ago (Jordin Canada and Aerial Powers) were more of the role player variety, but Griner and Jones are both multi-time All-Stars who had other options. Even if the fit is questionable, the Dream are collecting an enviable amount of talent.
Indiana Fever: A
Amid a flurry of trades across the WNBA, the Indiana Fever re-signed All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell to a one-year supermax contract worth around $249,000.
Sometimes an evaluation doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. Fever executives entered this offseason with the top priority of re-signing two-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Mission accomplished.
On Wednesday, the franchise announced Mitchell will return for her eighth season with the Fever.
Like Alyssa Thomas and Kelsey Plum, Mitchell had been given the core designation earlier this January. But a trade always seemed unlikely as Indiana president of basketball Kelly Krauskopf drafted Mitchell No. 2 in the 2018 WNBA Draft and has remained steadfast in her support of the 5-foot-8 guard. When Krauskopf returned to the Fever this fall, she stressed that Mitchell was part of the Fever’s Big 3, calling her “extremely important to the success of this, our future.”
Mitchell is coming off her best pro season, recording career-highs in points (19.2) and field goal percentage (40.2 percent). More than just her statistics, however, her pairing with star guard Caitlin Clark was integral to Indiana’s playoff return. Clark and Mitchell played the most minutes of any two-player combination across the WNBA, with Indiana’s offense scoring 105.1 points per 100 possessions with them together.
Indiana will now be tasked with buffing out the rest of their roster. With their backcourt solidified, adding front-court depth will be even more important, especially after losing center Temi Fagbenle in the December expansion draft.
Atlanta Dream: B
After a career in Phoenix, Brittney Griner has found a new destination.
The Dream needed frontcourt improvements, and Griner was the most efficient scorer (1.12 points per play) among last season’s WNBA players averaging at least 15 points per game. Atlanta is already long at the wing positions, and adding Griner’s size provides some intimidating defensive length.
The stylistic fit doesn’t make a ton of sense, as Griner’s pace is more methodical than what the Dream should be aiming for. Nearly half of her offensive possessions were post-ups last season, and it would behoove Atlanta to have her run more pick-and-roll and play in transition. Griner is also too midrange-happy for a Karl Smesko offense.
But the Dream needed more talent and they have plenty of cap space. Any future offseason plans will only be aided by acquiring Griner, who is beloved around the league.The upside may not be terribly high here, but there is virtually no downside.
The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a trade to acquire five-time All-Star and two-time All-WNBA first-team forward Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun.
The Mercury will receive Ty Harris in addition to Thomas, and Connecticut will receive Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the 12th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The Sun gave Thomas the core designation earlier in January, meaning the only way Thomas can be moved is via a sign-and-trade, which cannot be made official until the official start of free agency.
Connecticut Sun: A
The Sun lost the best player in this trade, but they have remained competitive by getting Cloud and Allen in return. Cloud is arguably the best active WNBA player never to have been named an All-Star, and in a league where point guard play is at a premium, Cloud is a top-five player at her position. Allen is a plug-and-play starter thanks to her shooting and defensive versatility, and her 2023 season in Connecticut was perhaps the best of her career. Slot Cloud and Allen with Marina Mabrey, DiJonai Carrington and Brionna Jones — though the latter two are free agents — and that’s a lineup that will easily make the playoffs.
If Carrington and/or Jones also decide to play elsewhere, the Sun can easily pivot into a rebuild. They got back into the first round of the 2025 draft with the No. 12 pick and could flip Cloud and Allen into further assets. Cloud would be attractive to both of last year’s WNBA finalists — she always elevates her game in the postseason — as would Allen. Plenty of other teams could use a veteran point guard and wing defender. Carrington would also fetch a return as a restricted free agent.
Connecticut had to move Thomas, and the Sun did so without committing to a direction for the 2025 season. They can still be nimble depending on how the rest of free agency shakes out.
Phoenix Mercury: B-
Kudos to the Mercury for securing a commitment from the best player who will change teams this offseason. Thomas will essentially assume the point guard position (or forward or center, depending on your preference) in Phoenix, and Harris is an excellent shooter who made 42 percent of her 3s over the last two seasons in Connecticut. The Sun duo makes tons of sense next to Kahleah Copper and Sophie Cunningham.
But how in the world does Phoenix plan to fill out the rest of its roster?
The WNBA mandates that a team have at least one first-round pick within the next three drafts, so the Mercury could have traded their 2025 or 2027 picks in the Thomas deal. They likely held on to the 2027 pick because of the high potential of that draft class, when JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo and Madison Booker are all expected to turn pro. However, that means Phoenix missed out on an opportunity for a young, cheap contributor this year. Once the trade goes through, the Mercury will have five players under contract and have to rely on free agency for the final six roster spots.
Thomas’ fiancée DeWanna Bonner becomes an option, as the six-time All-Star won two titles in Phoenix. The Mercury can try to get some guard depth from the likes of Tiffany Hayes, Natisha Hiedeman and other veterans. Regardless, it seems as though Phoenix will still be top-heavy, and that lack of depth has caused it to fizzle in recent seasons.
In a massive three-team deal, the Seattle Storm are trading Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces in an agreement that will send star guard Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks. The Storm will also receive the Sparks’ No. 2 draft pick in the 2025 draft as well as former Los Angeles center Li Yueru. The Sparks will receive Seattle’s No. 9 draft pick and the Aces will get the Sparks’ No. 13 pick,
Seattle Storm: A
The Storm turned a player who didn’t want to be in Seattle into the No. 2 pick. Considering how badly Loyd had performed over the last two seasons as her jump shot completely betrayed her, to start over with the second pick is a tremendous outcome for this front office. The Storm did have to send the No. 9 pick to Los Angeles, but they got Li Yueru, a promising young center, in return, which is basically the median outcome of a pick in that range of the draft.
Los Angeles Sparks: B-
The Sparks are taking a huge risk on Plum making a long-term commitment to their franchise, as they could have continued to build for the future with a young guard (likely Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles at No. 2 in the 2025 draft) to complement their young frontcourt. However, it’s hard to stomach any more losing than L.A. has over the past four seasons, and with a new head coach and no 2026 first-round pick, it’s understandable the Sparks want to start a new chapter. Plum is arguably the best player or asset in this deal and could realistically get the organization back into the playoffs. However, she is turning 31 this season and likely will be on a one-year deal. The potential downside of this trade is enormous. Nevertheless, it’s a move L.A. arguably had to make, and filling its biggest free-agency need is a win.
Las Vegas: C
The Aces ended this trade with a worse player than they started. Kelsey Plum is a better shooter and playmaker than Loyd, while neither exactly impressed on defense in 2024. Las Vegas also broke up a quartet that won back-to-back titles, even if the Aces didn’t have a choice in the matter if Plum asked out. Loyd’s shooting decline has been precipitous since Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart left the Storm. There is a chance that she returns to her Seattle peak, but for Las Vegas to win a title in 2025, the version of Loyd from the last two years isn’t good enough, and the Aces are worse now than with Plum.
The draft pick exchange also doesn’t work out in favor of Las Vegas, as the Aces turned their 2026 first-rounder into the No. 13 pick in 2025. The draft selection will be in the same spot only if Vegas has the best record in 2025, but 2026 is projected to be a deeper draft. The Aces need the cost-controlled rookie this season with Loyd’s max salary. However, getting out of the 2026 draft could be costly.
How will CBA negotiations affect free agency?
Though some of this year’s free agents might sign multiyear deals this offseason, considering the economic windfall expected to hit the league next winter, many top free agents are expected to sign one-year deals and re-enter the market next season when salaries likely increase.
In late October, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association opted out of the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, setting up negotiations for a new contract that will significantly affect the league’s future.
Talks between the two sides come amid a period of economic growth in women’s basketball. As evidenced by the ratings, attendance and merchandise boom this past summer, the WNBA announced a new media rights agreement in 2026 that will pay an average of $200 million over the next 11 years. Its current deal is valued at roughly $50 million annually. The increase in media rights is expected to lead to a jump in player salaries and league salary cap when the new CBA goes into effect.
Only two players — Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown — are not on rookie contracts but signed to a 2026 contract. More than 60 players who ended the 2024 season on a roster are expected to be free agents next year.
An offseason of record change seems increasingly possible as players who appear content on their current teams, including Breanna Stewart, have signed one-year contracts in recent years presumably to wait to ink a long-term contract at higher value in the 2026 offseason.
It’s official
Check out the full list of 2025 Unrestricted Free Agents, Core Players, Restricted Free Agents, & Reserved Players #WNBAFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/KGp33D4ESf
— WNBA (@WNBA) January 22, 2025
Players to watch
Satou Sabally
In early January, Sabally said she had informed the Dallas Wings about her desire to play for another franchise next season. Nevertheless, Dallas cored Sabally, meaning that any move involving the one-time All-WNBA first-team forward must be via a sign-and-trade.
DiJonai Carrington
Carrington is a restricted free agent, meaning Connecticut can match any offer sheet she signs with another team. However, all RFA offer sheets must be for at least two years, and Carrington is unlikely to sign a multiyear deal (because of CBA changes). As a result, Carrington’s situation is akin to that of a cored player: She likely will either return to the Sun on a one-year contract or get flipped to another team in a sign-and-trade.
Top 20 impact players at the start of free agency
Rank Player Team 1
Breanna Stewart*
2
Alyssa Thomas*
3
Satou Sabally*
4
Nneka Ogwumike
5
Emma Meesseman
6
Brionna Jones
7
Kelsey Mitchell*
8
Kelsey Plum*
9
DeWanna Bonner
10
Brittney Griner
11
DiJonai Carrington**
12
Chennedy Carter
13
Gabby Williams*
14
Tiffany Hayes
15
Tina Charles
16
Natasha Howard
17
Courtney Vandersloot
18
Alysha Clark
19
Natisha Hiedeman
20
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough*
*Player is cored
**Player is restricted
Key free-agency dates
WNBA franchises had from Jan. 11 to Jan. 20 to extend qualifying offers to make applicable players restricted or reserved free agents. In that window, players could accept qualifying offers, but these deals could be accepted only before Feb. 1.
Beginning Jan. 21, franchises could begin negotiating with free agents, no matter their classification. Contracts cannot be officially finalized and announced until Feb. 1.
What does it mean to be a cored player?
A core designation in the WNBA is similar to the NFL’s franchise tag. It can be applied to one unrestricted free agent per team to prevent a player from becoming an unrestricted free agent. Applying the core designation to a player gives the team exclusive negotiation rights, and any agreement between the player and team must be at minimum a fully guaranteed one-year deal worth the supermax.
A player can be cored for a maximum of two times in her career.
Cored players might not necessarily suit up for the franchise that applied the designation, but cored players can only then be moved in sign-and-trade agreements. This might become the case with Plum, Thomas and Sabally.
WNBA cored players this offseason
• Breanna Stewart (Liberty)
• Kelsey Mitchell (Fever)
• Satou Sabally (Wings)
• Kelsey Plum (Aces)
• Alyssa Thomas (Sun)
• Gabby Williams (Storm)
How will teams value draft picks?
Keep an eye on how many — and which — draft picks get put into offseason trades. With the ongoing CBA negotiation, franchises might be hesitant to deal their first-round picks because the salary slotting of a first-round pick will almost assuredly be lower this year (around $76,000) than in the next CBA. Assuming next year’s CBA increases rookie minimums, players drafted this year would be locked into lower salaries than next year’s rookies.
Franchises can also trade picks in the 2027 WNBA Draft, but teams might be hesitant to deal such selections because of the incoming star power, including USC’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Texas’ Madison Booker.
In December, Golden State selected 11 players for its inaugural season. However, it’s likely all of those players won’t be part of Golden State’s roster. Only three players — Stephanie Talbot, Kayla Thornton and Kate Martin — are under contract with the Valkyries, and Golden State has the most cap room in the league. As a result, it could be a willing trade partner for players on supermax contracts or free agents looking to maximize their short-term earnings.
GO DEEPER
How the Golden State Valkyries constructed their first WNBA roster
Free-agency predictions
Stewart headlines another deep pool of free agents in the 2025 offseason, which features multiple former MVPs and multi-time All-Stars. Stewart has already announced that she will return to the New York Liberty, but there should be much more movement as other teams gear up to take down the defending champions.
GO DEEPER
WNBA free-agency predictions: Kelsey Plum to the Storm, Satou Sabally to the Liberty
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; photos of Jewell Loyd, Breanna Stewart and Alyssa Thomas: Barry Gossage / Getty Images, David Berding / Getty Images)
The WNBA free agency period has been heating up with several big-name players making moves to new teams. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key signings and analyze what they mean for the upcoming season.1. Satou Sabally – The Dallas Wings forward has signed with the Los Angeles Sparks. Sabally, who was the second overall pick in the 2020 draft, brings a versatile skill set to the Sparks and should provide a boost to their frontcourt. With Sabally joining forces with Nneka Ogwumike and Kristi Toliver, the Sparks are shaping up to be a formidable contender in the Western Conference.
2. Brittney Griner – The Phoenix Mercury center has re-signed with the team on a multi-year deal. Griner, a seven-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, is a dominant force in the paint and a key piece for the Mercury. With Griner back in the fold, the Mercury will look to make a deep playoff run in the upcoming season.
3. Kelsey Plum – The Las Vegas Aces guard has signed with the New York Liberty. Plum, who missed the 2020 season due to injury, is a talented scorer and playmaker who should provide a spark to the Liberty’s backcourt. With Plum teaming up with Sabrina Ionescu, the Liberty have a dynamic and exciting backcourt duo that could make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
Overall, these free agency signings have the potential to shake up the league and create some exciting matchups in the upcoming season. It will be interesting to see how these players mesh with their new teams and how they impact the playoff race. Stay tuned for more updates as the WNBA offseason continues to unfold.
Tags:
WNBA free agency, Satou Sabally, Brittney Griner, Kelsey Plum, WNBA signings, WNBA news, basketball free agency, women’s basketball, player movement, WNBA trade rumors
#Analyzing #WNBA #free #agency #signing #Satou #Sabally #Brittney #Griner #Kelsey #Plum #moveWhat’s next after judge halts Trump’s funding freeze, study finds cannabis may impair working memory, Brittney Griner goes to Dream
Good morning, all. The Lunar New Year begins today. Here’s how billions of people will welcome the . Now, on to the news.
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NEED TO KNOW
Ken Cedeno/Reuters
The latest on Trump’s funding freeze
A federal judge temporarily blocked the White House’s federal funding freeze minutes before it was slated to take effect yesterday as lawmakers, public officials and average Americans struggled to determine the affected programs.
The judge’s order: After hearing arguments from nonprofits and public health groups, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan issued a “brief administrative stay” blocking the suspension of funds until at least Feb. 3, when another hearing will be held. [The Hill]
A chaotic day: Across the U.S., staff reported issues accessing payment websites for Medicaid and the school readiness program Head Start. The White House said the portals would be back online “shortly.” Here’s what to know about other affected programs. [AP/CBS News]
Legal challenges: The order is likely to face more lawsuits, some of which may cite the Impoundment Control Act, which regulates the president’s power over the budget. Trump’s pick for his budget office has called the law unconstitutional. [NBC News]
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Getty Images
The nation’s report card
New data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that U.S. children are falling further behind on reading scores and making little improvement in math, with both scores still below pre-pandemic levels. [ABC News]
Marijuana and memory
A new study found that more frequent marijuana use might damage working memory — the ability to retain and use information in the short-term — adding scientific evidence to long-standing beliefs about regular cannabis use. [CNN]
N.J. drone mystery
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that most of the drones spotted over New Jersey last year were authorized by the FAA for research, among other reasons. “This was not the enemy,” she said. [NBC News]
The Mercury shake it up
It’s the end of an era: The Phoenix Mercury finalized deals to acquire Alyssa “the Engine” Thomas from the Connecticut Sun, and bid farewell to 10-time All-Star Brittney Griner, who’s headed to the Atlanta Dream. [Yahoo Sports]
Rachael tells all
On an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Rachael Kirkconnell shared details behind her surprise breakup with former Bachelor Matt James, which he announced nearly two weeks ago. Here’s what she said. [Us Weekly]
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY
In the rink, the Flyers go for a third straight win against the Devils at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. [NBC Sports]
On the court, the Bulls face the Celtics, their evenly matched conference foes, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBA League Pass. [AP]
On the tube: The Challenge All Stars: Rivals, in which 26 competitors will be teamed up with their biggest enemy from previous seasons, airs at 8 p.m. ET on MTV. Meet the cast. [Variety]
And don’t forget to: Read your daily horoscope. Play the Crossword. Check the forecast in your area.
TODAY IN HISTORY
Illustration: Yahoo News; photo: Rick Stewart/Al/Getty Images
In 1995, the San Francisco 49ers became the first team in the NFL to win five Super Bowls after beating the San Diego Chargers 49-26. However, they’re not currently the team with the most Super Bowl titles — the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied with six each. [CBS News]
3 QUESTIONS
…about Trump’s tariffs
President Trump recently said he’d keep his campaign promise to impose new tariffs on certain countries. I asked Andrew Romano, who reported on what that could mean for consumers, to talk about them.
Divya: Remind me: What are tariffs and what’s Trump’s plan around them?
Andrew: Tariffs are taxes on imports paid by the companies doing the importing, not by the countries sending goods to the U.S. By Feb. 1, Trump has promised to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% on Chinese imports to address migration and drug trafficking concerns.
Divya: Which products are Trump’s tariffs likely to affect and how?
Andrew: If a 25% tax is added every time a part, product or raw material enters the U.S., a lot of things will get more expensive as companies pass the added cost to consumers. Experts predict they’ll lead to higher prices on things like cars and gas, beer, avocados and even real estate.
Divya: Trump imposed tariffs in his first term. How does his plan now differ from what he did then?
Andrew: Last time, Trump slapped big tariffs on Chinese goods and imported steel and aluminum. That helped him negotiate new trade deals, but forced U.S. consumers to pay more without bringing jobs back home. No one knows yet if he’ll go through with new ones, or if they’re just a negotiating tool.
Go deeper: Here’s what Canada and Mexico have said about the proposed tariffs.
FEEL-GOOD MOMENT
Sam Riber/SWNS
Sam Riber recently proposed to his girlfriend, Lissy Alden, during a surprise re-creation of the airplane scene from The Wedding Singer. Alden said yes. “I realized what was happening and just felt so happy,” she said. Watch the sweet moment. [People]
Have a great day! See you tomorrow.
P.S. Before you go, your daily advice: Do you warm up your car before driving when it’s cold? You actually don’t have to, except in certain cases. [USA Today]
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After a federal judge halted former President Donald Trump’s attempt to freeze funding for a key program, the future remains uncertain. The program in question, which provides assistance to low-income households, was at risk of losing crucial funding before the judge’s ruling.In other news, a new study has found that cannabis use may impair working memory. The study, published in a prominent scientific journal, highlights the potential negative effects of marijuana on cognitive function.
Meanwhile, in the world of sports, basketball star Brittney Griner has been traded to the Atlanta Dream. The move comes as a surprise to many fans, as Griner has been a key player for the Phoenix Mercury for several seasons. It will be interesting to see how she adjusts to her new team and how this trade will impact the upcoming WNBA season.
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other important developments.
Tags:
- Trump funding freeze
- Cannabis study
- Working memory impairment
- Brittney Griner
- Dream basketball team
- Legal news update
- Political decision analysis
- Marijuana research findings
- Athlete news
- WNBA trade rumors
#Whats #judge #halts #Trumps #funding #freeze #study #finds #cannabis #impair #working #memory #Brittney #Griner #Dream
Sources – Brittney Griner agrees to 1-year deal with Dream
-
Alexa Philippou
After 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, 10-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.
Griner, who spent her entire career in Phoenix after being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013, heads to Atlanta in one of the most stunning free agency signings in league history.
The move can’t be made official until Saturday, when contracts are allowed to be signed.
Griner’s departure marks the official beginning of a new era for the Mercury, who could also be without Diana Taurasi for the first time in two decades if she decides to retire. Taurasi and Griner won the franchise its third and most recent championship in 2014.
The 6-foot-9 center missed the 2022 campaign when she was wrongfully detained in Russia for nearly 10 months. She was eventually freed in a high-profile prisoner exchange and returned to All-Star form in 2023 and 2024.
Griner, a six-time all-WNBA selection, goes to Atlanta as the biggest free agent signing in franchise history. She joins a team also headlined by Rhyne Howard, drafted first overall by the Dream in 2022, and Allisha Gray, for whom Atlanta traded for in 2023. The franchise moved on this offseason from former coach Tanisha Wright and hired Karl Smesko from Florida Gulf Coast University to lead the team.
The Las Vegas Aces also looked at signing Griner, sources told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, in their long-standing effort to find another big to play alongside A’ja Wilson. But after acquiring former Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd and evaluating their style of play moving forward, sources said the Aces have turned their attention to other post players such as Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and trying to re-sign veterans Tiffany Hayes and Alysha Clark.
Earlier Tuesday, the Mercury also finalized a deal to acquire five-time All-Star Alyssa Thomas and Ty Harris from the Connecticut Sun, sources told ESPN, a trade that will send Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the 2025 No. 12 overall pick to Uncasville.
According to sources, Phoenix is also expected to meet with Satou Sabally, who has requested a trade out of Dallas, and speak with free agent DeWanna Bonner.
ESPN’s Shams Charania contributed to this report.
Sources have confirmed that WNBA star Brittney Griner has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Atlanta Dream. This signing marks a significant move for the Dream, as Griner is considered one of the top players in the league.Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development in the WNBA! #BrittneyGriner #AtlantaDream #WNBA.
Tags:
Brittney Griner, WNBA, basketball, Dream, one-year deal, contract, trade, free agency, sources, news, update, agreement, player transaction, sports, professional athlete.
#Sources #Brittney #Griner #agrees #1year #deal #Dream-
Unrivaled basketball league debuts with Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner during WNBA offseason
Unrivaled, the U.S. basketball league co-founded by WNBA stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, is ready for its closeup.
The new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league will debut Friday night, a couple of years after the idea of starting a domestic league to bolster athletes’ salaries during the WNBA’s offseason without them having to go overseas.
“Because a lot of players probably my age and a little bit older are so accustomed to going overseas,” Stewart told CBS News. “And now it’s like, no, you play WNBA. You come to Unrivaled and we’re gonna take care of you. We’re gonna pay you. We’re gonna make sure you continue to build your brand.
Both Collier and Stewart have played for teams overseas: Collier in France and Stewart in Turkey.
What is Unrivaled basketball?
Unrivaled is a new 3-on-3 women’s professional basketball league where six teams, with each six players on each squad, compete for the title.
The league will feature 36 WNBA players, including the two co-founders, whose teams will play against each other on opening night. Sensational WNBA rookie Angel Reese’s team plays in the second contest. Other WNBA stars fans can see include Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas and Arike Ogunbowale.
“I think I’ll be taking it all in in the introductions,” Collier said. “Once the ball goes up, it’s just the game.”
The games will be played on a court that’s about 20 feet shorter than the WNBA court.
Marta Lavandier / AP
Unrivaled basketball rules
There will be three seven-minute quarters and a fourth quarter that isn’t timed. Teams will play to a “winning score” which will be determined by adding 11 points to the squad which is leading after three quarters. For example: If Team X is leading 60-55 after three quarters, the first team to 71 would win the game.
“Every game, we will have a game-winning shot,” Unrivaled President Alex Bazzell said. “That was important for us because coming out of the third quarter, there’s no mysteries of what you need to do.”
There will only be one free throw taken when players commit shooting fouls with the value of it equal to the shot. That means if a player is fouled shooting a 3-pointer, a made free throw will count for three points. A free throw after being fouled on a two-point attempt is worth two points and any and-1 situation is worth one point.
There will be an 18-second shot clock instead of 24 seconds that the players use in the WNBA. The clock will stop on made baskets in the final 30 seconds of a quarter as opposed to the last minute used in the WNBA.
Marta Lavandier / AP
How much are Unrivaled athletes getting paid?
Nearly all the players are making more than $100,000. The average player salary is the highest ever for any women’s sports league. There is more than $8 million in the salary pool.
Players also are getting an equity stake in the league. The league is also holding a 1-on-1 tournament in February and the winner will be paid $250,000. Each player on the winner’s Unrivaled team will also receive $10,000.
Same as WNBA games, players took part in a half-court shootout after their morning practices. Shakira Austin made the first one and earned $100 for her efforts. She went last as the youngest player on the Lunar Owls and had the advantage of knowing that the shorter court meant a closer shot.
“It’s a great start to the day,” Austin said.
While the halfcourt money is the same, players are making a lot more as the league boasts the highest average salary for a professional women’s league.
How to watch Unrivaled
The season runs from Friday to March 17 with games played mostly on Friday, Saturday and Monday. There will be two games a night shown on TNT or TruTv. Former WNBA star and basketball analyst Candace Parker will anchor a studio show during the broadcasts.
“I can’t even put it into words what it’s going to be like,” Stewart said. “But just the fact that there’s so much hype, there’s so much content, so much chatter about opening night and we worked really hard to get to this point both on and off the court. Excited to kind of just go in and showcase what we’ve done.”
When is the WNBA season?
The WNBA draft is on April 14, according to the league.
The regular WNBA season begins May 16, two months after Unrivaled’s final games. Three games kick off the new season: Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx and Golden State Valkyries vs. Los Angeles Sparks.
Last season, WNBA star Stewart made history with the New York Liberty helping the team end its 27-year quest and win its first championship title. It was a record-breaking season for women’s basketball, including single-game attendance records and all-time records for digital consumption and merchandise sales, according to the league.
The 2025 season is already setting records before it even begins with each team playing a record-high of 44 games, the league said.
Fans of women’s basketball have a new league to look forward to during the WNBA offseason, as the Unrivaled basketball league makes its debut with two of the biggest stars in the game – Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner.Stewart, a two-time WNBA champion and four-time All-Star, will bring her versatile scoring and dominant defense to the league, while Griner, a three-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, will showcase her unmatched shot-blocking and post presence.
The Unrivaled basketball league promises to provide fans with high-quality basketball during the offseason, featuring top talent from around the world. With Stewart and Griner leading the way, this league is sure to be a must-watch for any basketball fan.
Stay tuned for more updates and news on the Unrivaled basketball league and be sure to catch Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner in action as they take the court in this exciting new venture.
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