Community and camaraderie is important to the athlete—especially being in the States, away from most of her family, who still live in Europe. “I’m very 50/50 introvert and extrovert,” says Sabally. “That’s my assessment. I like to just sit on my couch in silence or listening to music—Quavo, Tems, and my all time favorite is Adele—but I also get my energy from my friends. They just charge me up. I don’t usually talk about basketball with them, but even if I do, I don’t know—it frees my mind. Friends make me feel like a normal person. I don’t need to be the strong personality that’s always out on the court.”
Candace Parker, the former WNBA megastar and now president of Adidas Women’s Basketball, recognizes and echoes Sabally’s sentiment. “For her, and for us, it’s about relationships,” Parker says. “Satou and I had a candid conversation early on, saying, like, yes, I’m here for you professionally, but also for you personally. And she responded to that. She said, ‘I want to lean on you for that.’ That stuck out to me.”
The Adidas link-up–athletics notwithstanding, nor the added synergy that both Sabally and the company are German–aligns with Sabally’s stylistic interests, which are prominent. In fact, over at GQ, readers once voted her as the most stylish player in the WNBA. At this point in our day, Sabally has changed from her Y-3 ensemble into earthen-gray performance gear; she’s about to film scenes for an Adidas global basketball shoot. Even with sportswear on, she carries the look with a cool candor, imbuing it with runway confidence.
“I do care about fashion,” she says. “I love a good moment. Sometimes, I like to be playing around a little bit and look a little girly. Other times I’m representing a little bit more masc. I play with it!” She calls her wardrobe her “armor,” and cites Glenn Martens’ work at Diesel as a current favorite, as well as Willy Chavarria and Fear of God. Of course, as well: “Its every athlete’s dream to have their own Adidas shoe.” (This feels very much within the realm of possibility at some point, as I sneak a glance at a brand rep who is trying to hide a grin.)
WNBA Star Satou Sabally Talks Bringing Her Stellar Game—and Style—to The Phoenix Mercury
Satou Sabally, the dynamic forward for the Dallas Wings, is making a big move to the Phoenix Mercury this upcoming season. Known for her versatility on the court and her impeccable style off the court, Sabally is ready to bring her A-game to her new team.
In a recent interview, Sabally expressed her excitement about joining the Mercury and the opportunity to showcase her skills alongside some of the league’s top talent. “I can’t wait to hit the court with my new teammates and show what I can bring to the table,” she said.
But it’s not just about basketball for Sabally. The 6’4″ star is also known for her fashion-forward sense of style, often seen rocking bold prints, statement accessories, and killer sneakers. “I love expressing myself through my fashion choices, and I can’t wait to bring some of that flair to the Phoenix scene,” Sabally shared.
With her combination of talent, charisma, and killer style, Sabally is sure to make a splash in Phoenix—and WNBA fans everywhere are eagerly anticipating her debut with the Mercury. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting season ahead with Sabally at the helm.
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In a 72-hour flurry of free agency signings and trades, the Fever front office made moves to turn Indiana into a championship contender.
This offseason, it’s obvious Indiana was looking for shooters. And the Fever got them.
First, Indiana executed its No. 1 priority: re-signing Kelsey Mitchell. The longtime Fever player will return for her eighth season in an Indiana jersey on a core contract in 2025. Mitchell averaged 19.2 points and shot a career-best 40.2% from 3-point range in 2024 and pairs perfectly with her backcourt partner Caitlin Clark.
The Fever also intend to sign free agent Natasha Howard when the signing period opens on Saturday. Howard, who was originally drafted by the Fever in 2014, confirmed the signing on Instagram and in an essay on WSLAM, saying “To Fever fans: I’m excited.”
Howard, who is coming off a stint with the Dallas Wings, will bring some much-needed defensive prowess to this young Fever team. She missed some time with a broken foot in 2024, but averaged 17.6 points a game over 27 games.
Indiana was second-to-last in defensive rating in the WNBA in 2024, allowing an average of 107.5 points per 100 possessions. As a stretch 4, Howard will work well with Fever center Aliyah Boston in penetrating the paint.
The Fever have a potent offense, with Clark, Boston and Kelsey Mitchell as their Big Three. What they need is a new defensive scheme and someone to hold them accountable on that end of the floor, and Howard is just the type of player to do that.
Howard’s signing, however, posed another question about the Fever’s roster: What will happen to NaLyssa Smith?
The Fever answered that question the same day: Smith, along with the No. 8 pick in the 2025 draft, is heading to Dallas.
Indiana drafted Smith out of Baylor with the No. 2 pick in 2022, and she started at power forward all three years since, with career averages of 13 points and eight rebounds. But her production had a downtick in 2024 as the Fever coaching staff favored Temi Fagbenle. Smith was vocal about her disappointment with playing time as her numbers dropped to 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. So, she’ll have a fresh start in her home state of Texas.
Smith heading to Dallas was part of a three-team trade that also saw Satou Sabally and other Dallas assets go to Phoenix.
Cunningham, a 6-1 shooting guard, will head to Indiana on a one-year contract worth $100,000 and become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Salary-wise, the trade is nearly a wash: Smith is set to earn around $91,000 in 2025 and will be a restricted free agent with Dallas holding her rights in 2026.
Cunningham is a sharpshooter and a 3-and-D player. She averaged a 37.8% clip from 3-point range and is a career 36.2% from beyond the arc, giving Indiana another threat at the perimeter. She started 21 games and appeared in all 40 for the Mercury last season, averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and two assists per game.
With all of these moves, Indiana’s starting lineup will likely shift: Clark and Mitchell will continue in the backcourt, and Cunningham and Howard will likely join Boston upfront.
The lineup is an upgrade both offensively and defensively, assuming those five are able to jell well with each other. Cunningham and Howard will bring space to the lineup, and that space could not only force opponents to choose who they want to guard, but potentially always leave a good basket open for Indiana.
The two newcomers, along with new coach Stephanie White, will also bring a different defensive philosophy to Indiana — something the Fever desperately need.
New Fever president Kelly Krauskopf and GM Amber Cox have made one thing clear this season: Indiana isn’t rebuilding anymore.
Multiple moves this offseason — including hiring White away from Connecticut, signing Howard and trading for Cunningham — make it so Indiana could be a contender this year.
The window is small: Cunningham and Mitchell’s deals are only for the 2025 season, and Howard’s likely is as well. Lexie Hull, who will likely be the first player off the bench and crucial depth piece, exhausts her rookie contract after this season.
Even looking a bit further, Boston’s rookie contract expires after the 2026 season. As the 2023 No. 1 pick and two-time All-Star, she will likely command a max contract. Clark’s contract runs through the 2027 season, and Indiana will need to go through the same thing then.
The competition, as always, will be tough. New York is returning most of its main pieces from a championship season in 2024, and the same goes for runner-up Minnesota Lynx and semifinalist Las Vegas Aces.
Indiana will need a couple more pieces to round out the 2025 roster, including a backup point guard that can mimic Clark’s play style and some more depth behind Boston and Howard in the frontcourt.
But the intentions are clear: the time is now for Indiana to win a championship.
The Indiana Fever have made some key trades and signings that have transformed them into a serious contender for the WNBA title. From acquiring talented players to bringing in experienced veterans, the Fever have built a strong and competitive roster that is ready to compete with the best in the league.
One of the most impactful trades the Fever made was acquiring center Teaira McCowan from the Seattle Storm. McCowan has been a dominant force in the paint, averaging double-doubles in points and rebounds. Her presence has given the Fever a strong defensive presence and added depth to their frontcourt.
In addition to McCowan, the Fever also made key signings to bolster their roster. They signed veteran guard Danielle Robinson, who brings leadership and experience to the team. Robinson’s ability to facilitate the offense and play tough defense has been crucial for the Fever’s success this season.
The Fever have also benefited from the development of their young players, such as Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivians. Mitchell, a sharpshooting guard, has been a key scorer for the Fever, while Vivians has provided valuable minutes off the bench with her scoring and defensive abilities.
Overall, the Fever’s combination of trades, signings, and player development has turned them into a formidable team that is capable of competing with the best in the league. With a strong roster and a winning mentality, the Fever are poised to make a deep playoff run and potentially bring home the WNBA title.
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Jewell Loyd donned a gray dri-fit shirt with the Las Vegas Aces logo across the chest as she sat in front of a black backboard branded with more of her new team logos Saturday for her introductory press conference. A smile was plastered across her face.
After spending the past decade with the Seattle Storm, Loyd is excited and rejuvenated for a new opportunity.
“I can’t wait,” Loyd said. “I’ve been smiling the whole week.”
Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during Round one Game one of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
Loyd and Plum were among the first major moves of free agency that sent shockwaves through the league.
Since news broke of that tentative deal earlier this week – which was made official on the first day of the WNBA free agency signing period Saturday – many other high-profile players have decided to suit up for different teams in 2025.
Alyssa Thomas is expected to sign with the Phoenix Mercury after spending the first 11 years of her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun. She’ll be playing alongside Satou Sabally, who was moved to Phoenix as part of another major three-team trade.
Longtime Mercury center and nine-time All-Star Brittney Griner landed on the Atlanta Dream as her next destination, where she’ll team up with Brionna Jones who left Connecticut this offseason after eight seasons.
Phantom center Brittney Griner (42) defends against Mist forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of an Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball game Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Medley, Fla. APDallas Wings forward Satou Sabally handles the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. AP
Courtney Vandersloot is returning to the Sky after spending two seasons in New York, and Kelsey Mitchell is expected to re-sign with the Indiana Fever.
The list can go on and on.
But this trend of massive player movement in free agency has been ramping up for several years now. It’s partly due to players being more empowered than ever to dictate where they want to play.
“That’s just the evolution of the league and what we’re seeing basketball and women’s sports going,” Loyd said. “There’s definitely a lot more freedom and things happening and changes.
“For me personally, I just think that you want to always find ways to improve and get better. That’s what I’m trying to do every single day and that led me to be a part of the Aces. And so I just think that’s just the evolution of where the league is going.”
In some ways, the player movement is also sending a message to teams to get with the program or you’ll be left behind.
Some players, including Sabally, forced their way out of their current situations in search for better environments and player experiences.
Not every WNBA team has its own training facility with first-rate amenities.
In last year’s playoffs, the Sun infamously had a practice disrupted by a 2-year-old’s birthday party, which Thomas called “the ultimate disrespect.”
Being a part of Unrivaled this offseason opened Thomas’ eyes even more to the disparity in what Connecticut doesn’t offer its players.
“We don’t have any of this kind of stuff in Connecticut from the medical equipment to the cold tubs, the chefs, we don’t have anything like that in Connecticut,” Thomas said. “So that’s what we were accustomed to but being here and seeing how these kinds of things feel, I mean, it’s definitely a different experience for me…
“We’re pro-level athletes. You need these things to take care of your body to be successful and in Connecticut, we haven’t had any of that.”
Aces president Nikki Fargas said free agency also has benefited from increased investment from WNBA teams, including restructuring front offices and bolstering coaching staffs.
The days of head coaches also being general managers are over.
Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas (L) and Tom Brady talk before the Aces’ game against the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
But what’s unfolded over the past week is just the beginning, according to Fargas.
Most players will be signing only one-year deals because the new collective bargaining agreement that is expected to bring massive salary bumps is slated to come into effect in 2026.
The WNBA is also expected to add expansion teams in Toronto and Portland next season.
“We’re growing and expanding and bringing more teams, I think the opportunities are going to be limitless for the franchises to be able to put together quality rosters because we’re getting quality players in this league,” Fargas said. “Not only are we using the pipeline of players that are coming from the collegiate level but also internationally.”
The WNBA free agency period has always been an exciting time for fans and teams alike, but this year, the chaos lies more in the hands of the players than ever before. With a record number of unrestricted free agents hitting the market, many players are in a position to dictate their own futures and shape the league in significant ways.
Gone are the days when teams could easily retain their star players with lucrative contracts or other incentives. Now, players have more agency and power to choose where they want to play and with whom they want to team up. This newfound freedom has led to a flurry of activity in the free agency market, with players exploring all their options and considering all possibilities before making a decision.
This shift in power dynamic has created a sense of unpredictability and excitement in the WNBA, as fans eagerly await to see where their favorite players will end up. It also puts pressure on teams to make compelling offers and create appealing environments for players to choose them over other potential suitors.
As the free agency chaos unfolds, one thing is clear: the players are in control like never before, and their decisions will have a lasting impact on the league for years to come. Stay tuned for more updates as the drama continues to unfold.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
The 2025 WNBA offseason has been marked by star movement. Four former All-WNBA picks from the past three seasons have already changed teams via trade this offseason, with more potentially to come.
The Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm kicked things off Sunday with a reported three-team trade sending Jewell Loyd to the Aces, Kelsey Plum to the Sparks via sign-and-trade and a package of draft picks headlined by the No. 2 pick in April’s WNBA draft to the Storm.
On Tuesday, the Phoenix Mercury made a blockbuster deal to land Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun two seasons after she finished as the runner-up in MVP voting. Three days later, the Mercury paired Thomas with Satou Sabally — both All-WNBA first team picks in 2023 — by striking another sign-and-trade deal involving the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever.
Which teams got the better of these deals? How do the moves impact the rest of the WNBA and what else will we see in free agency? ESPN breaks down all the implications in our trade grades.
Despite saying farewell to Brittney Griner (who agreed to sign with the Atlanta Dream earlier this week) and potentially Diana Taurasi (who is weighing retirement), the Mercury will boast one of the WNBA’s most star-studded rosters in 2025.
Having already landed Alyssa Thomas — the best player to change teams this offseason — Phoenix on Friday agreed to another sign-and-trade that adds Satou Sabally. Add in Kahleah Copper, who was traded to Phoenix last offseason, and the Mercury boast three players who were All-WNBA over the past two years, all of them acquired via trade since the franchise hired Nick U’Ren as general manager and Nate Tibbetts as head coach prior to the 2024 season.
Once Sabally chose Phoenix over the New York Liberty, the other team she met with this offseason, the Mercury made a remarkably favorable deal even by the standards of sign-and-trades involving core players. Phoenix gave up guard Tyasha Harris — acquired alongside Thomas in the deal made earlier in the week — forward Sophie Cunningham, the reserved rights to free agent Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and a second-round pick in exchange for a 26-year-old All-Star (Sabally) plus center Kalani Brown and the reserved rights to guard Sevgi Uzun.
Cunningham was tough to give up for the Mercury, who have seen her develop from a second-round pick into a regular starter over the past three seasons. Cunningham was beloved in the Valley, and her $100,000 contract (via HerHoopStats.com salary data) made her a great value. Still, for Phoenix to land Sabally and Thomas while giving up only a first-round pick (No. 12 overall) is a striking contrast to the Los Angeles Sparks swapping down from No. 2 to No. 9 as part of their sign-and-trade deal for Kelsey Plum earlier in the week.
To some extent, the Mercury probably benefited from their lack of tradeable draft picks. Because their 2026 first-round pick is headed to the Chicago Sky in the Copper deal, the Mercury couldn’t trade another first-rounder outright. A swap of picks in 2027 would have had relatively minimal value to the Wings, though it could have been useful for the Fever.
The Mercury nabbing center Kalani Brown in this deal was also impressive. She has one of the WNBA’s best contracts. Guard Lexie Brown (no relation) is the only other veteran player signed through 2026, when the league’s salary cap is expected to jump thanks to new national TV deals and a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). By that point, Brown’s $132,500 contract could be less than the veteran’s minimum.
Although the stars will be different, Phoenix still figures to have a top-heavy payroll in 2025. Pending possible discounts taken by Sabally and Thomas, the Mercury could have three players at the WNBA’s supermax salary, which would take up nearly half of the league’s hard salary cap. Phoenix will have room to offer another max, potentially to Thomas’ fiancée DeWanna Bonner, but in that scenario, the Mercury will be relying on a number of minimum salaries to fill out the bench without the benefit of remaining draft picks.
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The best of Satou Sabally’s 2024 season
Look back at some of Satou Sabally’s best plays of 2024 for the Wings, who have traded her to the Mercury.
Reserved rights to Uzun could be important in that regard. A EuroLeague veteran, Uzun started 19 games as a WNBA rookie at age 26 last season but shot just 42% on 2s and 24% on 3s. If Uzun plays a large role, potentially as Phoenix’s starting point guard depending on how Thomas is used, she’ll have to be more accurate from the field.
Before the Mercury fill out their roster, a lack of depth could make it difficult for them to maximize their star power in 2025. They likely won’t be in the WNBA’s top tier of contenders alongside the Aces, Minnesota Lynx and Liberty. For that to be even a possibility after three consecutive below-.500 finishes is a testament to what Phoenix has done this offseason.
The Mercury are also setting up for 2026 and beyond. As we’ve seen with Nneka Ogwumike re-signing with the Seattle Storm after joining them on a one-year deal in free agency last offseason, there’s a benefit to incumbency even though Sabally and Thomas are likely to be free agents again next year alongside Copper. For now, Phoenix could also use the core designation on Sabally again next offseason, though that’s subject to CBA negotiations.
If you can get Sabally and Thomas without giving up your star player, you do what it takes to make it happen. To their credit, the Mercury pulled that off.
We can think of this as two separate trades by the Wings, one of which I liked a lot more than the other. Getting Cunningham, Harris, the rights to Herbert Harrigan and the No. 19 pick for Brown, Sabally and the rights to Uzun is a weak return for a core trade. Cunningham is significantly more valuable than Natasha Cloud, who went to the Sun with a higher pick (No. 12) for Thomas. Fortunately, Dallas traded Cunningham and the No. 19 pick to Indiana for NaLyssa Smith and the No. 8 pick, making the overall deal far more favorable.
For the Wings, the success of this trade will largely depend on Smith’s development. The No. 2 pick in 2022, Smith finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and averaged 15.5 PPG and 9.2 RPG in Year 2. Smith’s value suffered last season, when her playing time and production dropped alongside Caitlin Clark. Smith averaged just 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds at an age (24 midseason) when she should be improving.
Even before 2024, some of Smith’s value faded when digging beyond her scoring and rebounding averages. Smith isn’t an efficient scorer because she shoots few 3s (14-of-48 last season) and is just a 62% career foul shooter. Of the 107 WNBA players who attempted at least 100 shots in 2024, Smith ranked 28th by shooting 48% from the field but just 49th with a .520 true shooting percentage, which factors in efficiency across all shots.
Smith also hasn’t made a consistent impact at the defensive end. She tripled her steal and block rates last season, going from 0.6 per game combined in 2023 to 1.8, but defensive concerns were the biggest reason Smith logged just 13 total minutes in the Fever’s first-round sweep by the Connecticut Sun.
Besides banking on Smith improving, Dallas might get her some help on the defensive end. Per league sources, the Wings are pursuing Connecticut restricted free agent DiJonai Carrington, Smith’s girlfriend and former teammate at nearby Baylor. Carrington, an All-Defensive first team pick in 2024, would be an enormous help to a Dallas team that finished last in defensive rating.
The Wings might offer the No. 8 pick to the Sun for Carrington, who is likely to move via sign-and-trade because the CBA stipulates that all offer sheets to restricted free agents must be a minimum of two years. Signing a two-year deal would take Carrington out of the running for a bigger raise as an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
This trade also brings Harris back to Dallas, where she was drafted in 2020 and played her first three seasons before being traded to Connecticut. Harris blossomed into a starter last season, making 40% of her 3s and averaging a career-high 10.5 points. On a value contract for $100,000 in 2025, Harris could slot in as a backup point guard if the Wings draft either Paige Bueckers or Olivia Miles with the No. 1 pick but is capable of starting if Dallas doesn’t have a rookie at the position.
It’s easy to see the Fever’s logic. Adding Natasha Howard, who reportedly agreed to sign with Indiana earlier Friday, would have moved Smith to a smaller bench role this season. And Cunningham’s shooting and ability to play either forward spot make her an ideal fit for Indiana. Still, I don’t love the value of this trade.
I dislike the Fever trading away what might be their highest first-round pick in a while. If Clark and Aliyah Boston develop as we expect, Indiana will be picking in the bottom handful of spots of the first round, which will expand to 15 picks starting in 2026 with two expansion franchises joining the WNBA. That the Fever had to throw in the No. 8 pick to get Cunningham suggests the rest of the WNBA didn’t value Smith as a quality young player.
Does adding Natasha Howard make the Indiana Fever title contenders? @RebeccaLobo thinks Caitlin Clark and the Fever are now “one piece away” from entering title conversations pic.twitter.com/s2JoXBxGUZ
On the plus side, Cunningham should work well as a running mate for Clark. A 38% 3-point shooter over the past four seasons, Cunningham ranks 13th among all WNBA players in made 3s over that span. Cunningham could compete with Lexie Hull for a starting spot at small forward and also back up Howard as a power forward in smaller lineups with more floor spacing. Cunningham is more dangerous offensively matching up against power forwards, but gives up size and shot-blocking ability at that spot.
Thanks to the rookie contracts for Boston and Clark, Indiana could sign Howard for the max and still have more than $185,000 in cap space to fill the team’s final roster spot. Depending on interest from free agents, the Fever might take that cap room into the season to have the flexibility to add via trade before the deadline.
The 2025 Mercury are going to look much different from what we’ve seen in the Valley.
We’ve seen Phoenix add stars in the past five years, but to complement cornerstone veterans Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. In 2020, that was Skylar Diggins-Smith, who helped the Mercury reach the Finals in 2021 before her relationship with the team deteriorated. Last year, it was Kahleah Copper, who got Phoenix back to the playoffs after a 9-31 finish in 2023 but not back to .500.
Adding Thomas is different. If Griner (who is taking meetings as an unrestricted free agent for the first time) or Taurasi (whose return for a 21st WNBA season is uncertain) remain on the Mercury, they’ll be tasked to fit in around Thomas rather than the opposite.
At surface level, Thomas is an unlikely star for Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts’ offense, which is predicated on floor spacing. During Tibbetts’ first season, the Mercury went from attempting 32% of their shots from 3-point range in 2023 to 39%, third highest in the league.
Thomas hasn’t made a 3-pointer since her rookie season and is 2-for-21 beyond the arc in her WNBA career. But Thomas is near the top of the league when it comes to generating 3-pointers for her teammates. Thomas ranked second in 3s from her passes in 2024, behind only Cloud.
Given that Phoenix GM Nick U’Ren came from the Golden State Warriors, the inevitable comparison for how Thomas could play with the Mercury is prime Draymond Green. Like most versatile posts, Thomas has preferred to play alongside a traditional big, spending most of her Connecticut career first next to Jonquel Jones and then Brionna Jones (and occasionally both).
Lineups with Thomas at center and maximum shooting around her — a la the Warriors’ so-called “Death Lineup” that U’Ren famously suggested to head coach Steve Kerr during the 2015 NBA Finals en route to Golden State’s first title — figure to maximize her impact.
We saw that in 2023, when Brionna Jones sustained an Achilles rupture with the Sun off to a 10-3 start, forcing Thomas to play more in the middle. Connecticut went 17-10 the rest of the way without an All-Star post, and Thomas finished second in MVP voting after averaging 15.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists over the final 27 games.
Defensively, the Death Lineup comp also works. The Mercury switched the second-most on-ball screens in the WNBA last season, per Second Spectrum tracking data, but were limited in that regard by Griner’s need to stay anchored near the paint. According to Second Spectrum, Phoenix switched just 7% of picks when Griner defended the screen setter, compared to 23% overall. Lineups with Thomas at center could allow the Mercury to switch as a base defense.
Who else fills out that lineup remains to be seen. Getting Harris back was key to making this trade work financially for Phoenix, which doesn’t have any players remaining on rookie contracts. (The Mercury, who were in win-now mode throughout Taurasi’s later career, last made and kept a first-round pick in 2019.) At $100,000 in the final season of her contract, Harris won’t make appreciably more than the No. 12 pick, and is a proven starting point guard.
The Mercury are still in pursuit of one of the top other remaining uncommitted free agents, Satou Sabally of the Dallas Wings. Like Thomas, Sabally was her team’s core player, meaning Phoenix would have to strike a deal with Dallas if Sabally chooses the Mercury.
With the salaries of Allen and Cloud no longer on the books, Phoenix has enough cap room to give both Sabally and Thomas the supermax and still sign DeWanna Bonner (Thomas’ fiancée who started her career with the Mercury) to a max offer as an unrestricted free agent.
Until Phoenix fills out the roster, it’s tough to say how seriously we should take the Mercury as title contenders. But adding Thomas puts Phoenix back in that conversation for the first time since reaching the 2021 WNBA Finals.
Connecticut Sun: B-
The 2025 Sun are going to look much different from what we’ve seen before. Coaches and teammates have come and gone, with Thomas as the constant as the Sun won at least 60% of their games in all but one season since 2017. (And that one below-.500 season, 2020, saw Thomas drag Connecticut to the semifinals.)
The Sun have done a remarkable job of remaking the roster around Thomas, including shaking off the trade sending former MVP Jonquel Jones to the New York Liberty. But losing Thomas and coach Stephanie White, with both Bonner and Brionna Jones unrestricted free agents, heralds the start of a new era in Connecticut.
In particular, Thomas’ departure suggests facilities issues might finally be catching up with the Sun. It’s probably no coincidence that Thomas wanted out not long after lamenting Connecticut sharing the team’s practice court with a child’s birthday party during the playoffs. Like Las Vegas and Seattle, Phoenix has invested in a dedicated practice facility for the Mercury, upping the ante ahead of a 2026 offseason, when virtually every veteran player of note can be a free agent.
The timing of Thomas’ departure isn’t ideal for the Sun, who gave up swap rights on their 2026 first-round pick in the deal to add Marina Mabrey from the Chicago Sky last summer. Incidentally, Chicago can swap a first-round pick from Phoenix — acquired in the Copper trade — with Connecticut’s pick, meaning the Sun might not benefit if they fall into the lottery.
With that in mind, the Sun will surely try to compete in 2025. Allen, Cloud and Mabrey give them three capable starters, and Connecticut also has the rights to restricted free agent DiJonai Carrington. Although Brionna Jones is fully unrestricted after playing two years on the core designation, the Sun can offer her more than any team to re-sign via the supermax.
Getting a first-round pick from the Mercury helps Connecticut replace the team’s own first-rounder, which also went to the Sky in the Mabrey deal. Pending the remainder of free agency, this is a solid package that should allow the Sun to remain competitive. Still, without Thomas as the anchor, the odds are against Connecticut continuing its semifinal streak.
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Kelsey Plum’s top moments from past season
Check out some of Kelsey Plum’s top moments from her last season with the Aces as she has been traded to the Sparks.
Jan. 26: How the Kelsey Plum-Jewell Loyd blockbuster shakes up three teams — and possibly the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes
Aces get: Jewell Loyd, No. 13 pick in 2025 draft Sparks get: Kelsey Plum, No. 9 pick in 2025 draft, 2026 second-round pick Storm get: Li Yueru, No. 2 pick in 2025 draft, 2026 first-round pick
Who won Sunday’s blockbuster WNBA trade involving All-Stars Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum, plus the No. 2 pick of the upcoming draft?
As reported by ESPN, the three-team trade fulfills Loyd’s trade request by sending her to the Las Vegas Aces to replace Plum, who will join the Los Angeles Sparks via sign-and-trade after the Aces used their core designation to take her out of free agency. Meanwhile, the Storm move up from No. 9 to No. 2 in April’s draft — which could facilitate an offer to land the No. 1 pick from the Dallas Wings if top prospect Paige Bueckers of the UConn Huskies prefers not to play in Dallas.
Las Vegas Aces: B+
If Plum wanted out, Loyd was almost certainly the best replacement the Aces could get. There’s great familiarity on both sides. Loyd has teamed with Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young for USA Basketball, winning gold last summer, and she has played more playoff games against Las Vegas than any other opponent — averaging 16.7 points in those games, better than Loyd’s overall playoff average of 15.7 points.
Loyd also shares an agent, Jade-Li English, with her new teammates Gray, Wilson and Young. After the ugly breakup between Loyd and the Storm, which culminated in a trade request last month, those ties can help Las Vegas feel confident Loyd will stay with the Aces beyond the one season remaining on her contract.
From a basketball standpoint, Loyd comes to Las Vegas knowing she won’t be the first option on offense. Loyd’s spot in the pecking order in Seattle after the additions of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike was less clear. Although Loyd remained the Storm’s leader in usage rate (29%), Ogwumike was Seattle’s best player, earning All-WNBA second-team honors as Loyd was shut out.
Part of the issue was Loyd’s adjustment in shot selection after having a bigger offensive role in 2023, when Seattle had just one other double-figure scorer (Ezi Magbegor) and she set a single-season record for points that Wilson broke last year. Loyd’s usage rate went down playing alongside Diggins-Smith and Ogwumike, but she took too many off-balance jumpers early in the shot clock.
Per Second Spectrum tracking, Loyd’s 39.8% quantified shot quality — the effective field goal percentage we’d expect from an average player on the same shots based on location, type and distance to nearby defenders — was the lowest among all players with at least 50 attempts. Plum’s quantified shot quality, by contrast, was 47.5%.
We don’t have Second Spectrum data for Loyd’s time playing alongside Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, who teamed up to win WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020, but Loyd’s efficiency was far better. Loyd shot 38% from 3-point range and had a .541 true shooting percentage from 2017 to 2022, as compared with 27% on 3s and a .497 true shooting percentage in 2024.
By teaming up with another MVP, plus two other Olympians, Loyd is choosing a role similar to the bulk of her Storm career. From 2018 to 2022, Loyd’s usage rate was 26% of Seattle’s plays, in the same ballpark as Plum’s 25% usage last season.
Adding Loyd’s supermax salary ($249,032) will make it more challenging for the Aces to build their roster. Including Plum, Las Vegas’ stars had repeatedly taken below-market extensions, meaning Wilson was previously the Aces’ highest-paid player for 2025 at $200,000, according to salary data from HerHoopStats.com.
Even with the flexibility of non-guaranteed contracts for centers Megan Gustafson and Kiah Stokes, Las Vegas will probably have to choose between adding one more player at max-type money or splitting that salary among multiple veterans. The latter scenario could include bringing back key contributors Alysha Clark and Tiffany Hayes, both unrestricted free agents.
Flipping a 2026 first-round pick that has a decent chance of being lower in a 15-team league than the second-round pick they’re getting back this year (No. 13 overall) helps the Aces financially because that player will be on a modest rookie contract. Effectively, Las Vegas replaced the team’s 2025 first-round pick that the WNBA rescinded due to impermissible benefits.
Of course, we’ve also seen the Aces get discounts before by virtue of free agents’ desire to play for a championship contender in a first-class facility. If Las Vegas can find a way to add Loyd and a top free agent without sacrificing depth, this grade will bump up to an A.
Los Angeles Sparks: B-
Adding Plum is a fascinating move for the Sparks that signals their intent to snap a four-year playoff drought by accelerating their rebuild with an upgrade to their backcourt.
We can probably trace the decision to expedite the rebuild to the trade Los Angeles made on the eve of 2024 free agency, acquiring the No. 4 pick (used on Rickea Jackson) from the Storm along with Kia Nurse in exchange for the Sparks’ 2026 first-round pick. Without that pick, Los Angeles wouldn’t benefit from another season in the lottery.
Giving up the No. 2 pick in this deal is painful for the Sparks, who have gone from dreaming of adding Bueckers to their young talent by winning the lottery to having only the No. 9 pick in this year’s first two rounds. Still, given the difficulty of attracting top talent without a dedicated practice facility, I can understand why they wanted to take advantage of Plum’s interest.
Despite going 8-32 in 2024, Los Angeles already has plenty of frontcourt pieces. Dearica Hamby is coming off an All-Star season during which she finished second in most improved player voting, while Jackson was chosen for the All-Rookie team and No. 2 pick Cameron Brink was on track to doing so before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in June. Veteran Azura Stevens is a fourth capable frontcourt starter.
The Sparks’ backcourt was their undoing. Besides those four players, eight of the other 10 Los Angeles regulars — all but Rae Burrell and restricted free agent Aari McDonald — rated worse than replacement level by my wins above replacement player (WARP) metric. Los Angeles hasn’t had an All-Star guard since Gray left for the Aces as an unrestricted free agent before the 2021 season.
Enter Plum, who will likely be the best guard to change teams this offseason. An All-Star each of the past three seasons, she peaked as an All-WNBA first-team pick in 2022, when Las Vegas won the first of its back-to-back titles. Presuming the Sparks re-sign Plum after this season, they’ll have a window to win while she’s still playing at an All-Star level and their 2024 first-round picks are approaching their prime years.
To help Plum, Los Angeles should continue upgrading the backcourt. Plum didn’t miss Gray alongside her in the backcourt despite Plum’s shooting slump to start 2024, but her shot quality improved after Gray’s return from a foot injury. Before Gray’s first start on June 21, Plum’s quantified shot quality was 45%, according to Second Spectrum’s metric, putting her in the 33rd percentile leaguewide. The rest of the season, that improved to a league-average 49%.
It’s possible Julie Allemand could be the playmaker the Sparks need. The Belgian point guard was set to join Los Angeles after a February trade but was sidelined because of an ankle injury that required surgery. Allemand averaged 5.8 assists in her only full WNBA campaign as a starter for the Indiana Fever in 2020. Back healthy after missing the Olympics, Allemand is averaging 7.3 points and a team-high 6.1 assists in EuroLeague play this season for Fenerbahce.
Alternatively, Los Angeles could still add another max player to Plum in free agency. Courtney Vandersloot would be a logical target.
Blockbuster WNBA deal: The Seattle Storm are trading six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces in a multi-team move that sends three-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, sources tell me, @ramonashelburne, @alexaphilippou, @kendra__andrews. pic.twitter.com/OlRb37RKIA
Trading Loyd for a package built around draft picks probably wasn’t Plan A for the Storm, who are expected to re-sign Ogwumike and cored player Gabby Williams to go with Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor as a veteran group hoping to contend.
Swapping Loyd for Plum would have been convenient for Seattle, but Plum evidently wasn’t as interested in returning to the state where she starred at the University of Washington as going back to her native Southern California. The Storm could still trade the No. 2 pick to another team for veteran help — for example, a package built around Ariel Atkins from the rebuilding Washington Mystics — but I think getting that high in the draft changes the equation.
Landing the No. 2 pick suddenly puts Seattle in position to make a run at the No. 1 pick if Bueckers tells the Wings she’d rather return for a sixth year of college eligibility than come to Dallas. Given their year-old practice facility, strong fan support and history with UConn point guards, the Storm would be an attractive landing spot for Bueckers.
Seattle could offer the Wings the No. 2 pick and additional first-rounders — including the Sparks’ 2026 first-rounder, which has upside if Los Angeles misses the playoffs because the WNBA lottery standings reflect the record over the past two seasons combined.
The Storm now have a league-high five first-round picks over the next three years to offer for No. 1. (The Chicago Sky, who pick third, also hold five first-round picks.)
If Bueckers goes No. 1 to Dallas, or another team, Seattle would have its pick of Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Olivia Miles, USC Trojans post Kiki Iriafen and French center Dominique Malonga. None fills an immediate need for the Storm — it’s unclear whether any would start as rookies — but each has the long-term potential to be part of a young core, including Magbegor (25) and Jordan Horston (23) and the pair of 2026 first-rounders.
Replacing Loyd’s supermax salary with the No. 2 pick, set to make $78,331, gives Seattle more cap flexibility. Even if Williams also takes the supermax offer guaranteed by the core designation and Ogwumike signs for the max, the Storm could make another near-max offer to a free agent.
There’s no obvious replacement for Loyd in unrestricted free agency, but Seattle has the flexibility to add a bigger wing such as Clark or Aerial Powers or could try to add another ball handler, with Vandersloot and Natisha Hiedeman as realistic options.
As for Li, she’s an interesting fit on a Storm team with the lithe Magbegor at center. Unrestricted free agent Mercedes Russell, who’s unlikely to return given her friendship with Loyd, matched up against post-up centers the past couple of seasons. Now that role could fall to the 6-foot-7 Li, who received extended minutes last season against the Connecticut Sun (Brionna Jones), Dallas Wings (Teaira McCowan) and Phoenix Mercury (Brittney Griner).
Perhaps best for Seattle, Li is a reserved free agent who is likely to play next season for the league minimum of $66,079. That’s important for a Storm team that will be trying to stretch every dollar filling out its bench.
Barring a trade for Bueckers or a veteran shooting guard, Seattle probably won’t have as strong a roster in 2025 as last season, when the Storm looked like contenders entering the season. But Seattle is in position to win now while also building through the draft for the first time since taking Loyd and Stewart with the No. 1 pick in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The 2025 WNBA offseason has been full of surprising trades and roster shake-ups. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest moves and grade each team’s performance in these trades.
Winners:
Seattle Storm: The Storm made a splash by acquiring star forward Breanna Stewart from the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a package of draft picks. This move instantly makes Seattle a title contender and gives them a dynamic duo with Stewart and Sue Bird. Grade: A+
Connecticut Sun: The Sun traded for veteran guard Diana Taurasi, giving them a proven scorer and leader to complement their young core. Taurasi’s experience and clutch play will be invaluable to a team looking to make a deep playoff run. Grade: A
Los Angeles Sparks: The Sparks landed talented forward A’ja Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the New York Liberty. Wilson gives LA a dominant presence in the paint and elevates their championship aspirations. Grade: A-
Losers:
Dallas Wings: The Wings traded away star guard Arike Ogunbowale to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for a package of role players and draft picks. While they received some assets in return, losing Ogunbowale significantly weakens their roster. Grade: C-
Chicago Sky: The Sky traded away veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot to the Minnesota Lynx for a package of draft picks. While Vandersloot is nearing the end of her career, her leadership and playmaking will be sorely missed in Chicago. Grade: D+
Overall, the 2025 WNBA offseason saw some teams make bold moves to improve their rosters, while others may have taken a step back. It will be interesting to see how these trades play out once the season begins.
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WNBA offseason trade grades, WNBA trade winners and losers 2025, WNBA trade analysis, WNBA trade rumors, WNBA offseason updates, WNBA trade reviews, WNBA player trades, WNBA team transactions, WNBA trade season 2025
The 2025 WNBA offseason has been marked by star movement. Four former All-WNBA picks from the past three seasons have already changed teams via trade this offseason, with more potentially to come.
The Las Vegas Aces, Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm kicked things off Sunday with a reported three-team trade sending Jewell Loyd to the Aces, Kelsey Plum to the Sparks via sign-and-trade and a package of draft picks headlined by the No. 2 pick in April’s WNBA draft to the Storm.
On Tuesday, the Phoenix Mercury made a blockbuster deal to land Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun two seasons after she finished as the runner-up in MVP voting. Three days later, the Mercury paired Thomas with Satou Sabally — both All-WNBA first team picks in 2023 — by striking another sign-and-trade deal involving the Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever.
Which teams got the better of these deals? How do the moves impact the rest of the WNBA and what else will we see in free agency? ESPN breaks down all the implications in our trade grades.
Despite saying farewell to Brittney Griner (who agreed to sign with the Atlanta Dream earlier this week) and potentially Diana Taurasi (who is weighing retirement), the Mercury will boast one of the WNBA’s most star-studded rosters in 2025.
Having already landed Alyssa Thomas — the best player to change teams this offseason — Phoenix on Friday agreed to another sign-and-trade that adds Satou Sabally. Add in Kahleah Copper, who was traded to Phoenix last offseason, and the Mercury boast three players who were All-WNBA over the past two years, all of them acquired via trade since the franchise hired Nick U’Ren as general manager and Nate Tibbetts as head coach prior to the 2024 season.
Once Sabally chose Phoenix over the New York Liberty, the other team she met with this offseason, the Mercury made a remarkably favorable deal even by the standards of sign-and-trades involving core players. Phoenix gave up guard Tyasha Harris — acquired alongside Thomas in the deal made earlier in the week — forward Sophie Cunningham, the reserved rights to free agent Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and a second-round pick in exchange for a 26-year-old All-Star (Sabally) plus center Kalani Brown and the reserved rights to guard Sevgi Uzun.
Cunningham was tough to give up for the Mercury, who have seen her develop from a second-round pick into a regular starter over the past three seasons. Cunningham was beloved in the Valley, and her $100,000 contract (via HerHoopStats.com salary data) made her a great value. Still, for Phoenix to land Sabally and Thomas while giving up only a first-round pick (No. 12 overall) is a striking contrast to the Los Angeles Sparks swapping down from No. 2 to No. 9 as part of their sign-and-trade deal for Kelsey Plum earlier in the week.
To some extent, the Mercury probably benefited from their lack of tradeable draft picks. Because their 2026 first-round pick is headed to the Chicago Sky in the Copper deal, the Mercury couldn’t trade another first-rounder outright. A swap of picks in 2027 would have had relatively minimal value to the Wings, though it could have been useful for the Fever.
The Mercury nabbing center Kalani Brown in this deal was also impressive. She has one of the WNBA’s best contracts. Guard Lexie Brown (no relation) is the only other veteran player signed through 2026, when the league’s salary cap is expected to jump thanks to new national TV deals and a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). By that point, Brown’s $132,500 contract could be less than the veteran’s minimum.
Although the stars will be different, Phoenix still figures to have a top-heavy payroll in 2025. Pending possible discounts taken by Sabally and Thomas, the Mercury could have three players at the WNBA’s supermax salary, which would take up nearly half of the league’s hard salary cap. Phoenix will have room to offer another max, potentially to Thomas’ fiancée DeWanna Bonner, but in that scenario, the Mercury will be relying on a number of minimum salaries to fill out the bench without the benefit of remaining draft picks.
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The best of Satou Sabally’s 2024 season
Look back at some of Satou Sabally’s best plays of 2024 for the Wings, who have traded her to the Mercury.
Reserved rights to Uzun could be important in that regard. A EuroLeague veteran, Uzun started 19 games as a WNBA rookie at age 26 last season but shot just 42% on 2s and 24% on 3s. If Uzun plays a large role, potentially as Phoenix’s starting point guard depending on how Thomas is used, she’ll have to be more accurate from the field.
Before the Mercury fill out their roster, a lack of depth could make it difficult for them to maximize their star power in 2025. They likely won’t be in the WNBA’s top tier of contenders alongside the Aces, Minnesota Lynx and Liberty. For that to be even a possibility after three consecutive below-.500 finishes is a testament to what Phoenix has done this offseason.
The Mercury are also setting up for 2026 and beyond. As we’ve seen with Nneka Ogwumike re-signing with the Seattle Storm after joining them on a one-year deal in free agency last offseason, there’s a benefit to incumbency even though Sabally and Thomas are likely to be free agents again next year alongside Copper. For now, Phoenix could also use the core designation on Sabally again next offseason, though that’s subject to CBA negotiations.
If you can get Sabally and Thomas without giving up your star player, you do what it takes to make it happen. To their credit, the Mercury pulled that off.
We can think of this as two separate trades by the Wings, one of which I liked a lot more than the other. Getting Cunningham, Harris, the rights to Herbert Harrigan and the No. 19 pick for Brown, Sabally and the rights to Uzun is a weak return for a core trade. Cunningham is significantly more valuable than Natasha Cloud, who went to the Sun with a higher pick (No. 12) for Thomas. Fortunately, Dallas traded Cunningham and the No. 19 pick to Indiana for NaLyssa Smith and the No. 8 pick, making the overall deal far more favorable.
For the Wings, the success of this trade will largely depend on Smith’s development. The No. 2 pick in 2022, Smith finished third in Rookie of the Year voting and averaged 15.5 PPG and 9.2 RPG in Year 2. Smith’s value suffered last season, when her playing time and production dropped alongside Caitlin Clark. Smith averaged just 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds at an age (24 midseason) when she should be improving.
Even before 2024, some of Smith’s value faded when digging beyond her scoring and rebounding averages. Smith isn’t an efficient scorer because she shoots few 3s (14-of-48 last season) and is just a 62% career foul shooter. Of the 107 WNBA players who attempted at least 100 shots in 2024, Smith ranked 28th by shooting 48% from the field but just 49th with a .520 true shooting percentage, which factors in efficiency across all shots.
Smith also hasn’t made a consistent impact at the defensive end. She tripled her steal and block rates last season, going from 0.6 per game combined in 2023 to 1.8, but defensive concerns were the biggest reason Smith logged just 13 total minutes in the Fever’s first-round sweep by the Connecticut Sun.
Besides banking on Smith improving, Dallas might get her some help on the defensive end. Per league sources, the Wings are pursuing Connecticut restricted free agent DiJonai Carrington, Smith’s girlfriend and former teammate at nearby Baylor. Carrington, an All-Defensive first team pick in 2024, would be an enormous help to a Dallas team that finished last in defensive rating.
The Wings might offer the No. 8 pick to the Sun for Carrington, who is likely to move via sign-and-trade because the CBA stipulates that all offer sheets to restricted free agents must be a minimum of two years. Signing a two-year deal would take Carrington out of the running for a bigger raise as an unrestricted free agent in 2026.
This trade also brings Harris back to Dallas, where she was drafted in 2020 and played her first three seasons before being traded to Connecticut. Harris blossomed into a starter last season, making 40% of her 3s and averaging a career-high 10.5 points. On a value contract for $100,000 in 2025, Harris could slot in as a backup point guard if the Wings draft either Paige Bueckers or Olivia Miles with the No. 1 pick but is capable of starting if Dallas doesn’t have a rookie at the position.
It’s easy to see the Fever’s logic. Adding Natasha Howard, who reportedly agreed to sign with Indiana earlier Friday, would have moved Smith to a smaller bench role this season. And Cunningham’s shooting and ability to play either forward spot make her an ideal fit for Indiana. Still, I don’t love the value of this trade.
I dislike the Fever trading away what might be their highest first-round pick in a while. If Clark and Aliyah Boston develop as we expect, Indiana will be picking in the bottom handful of spots of the first round, which will expand to 15 picks starting in 2026 with two expansion franchises joining the WNBA. That the Fever had to throw in the No. 8 pick to get Cunningham suggests the rest of the WNBA didn’t value Smith as a quality young player.
Does adding Natasha Howard make the Indiana Fever title contenders? @RebeccaLobo thinks Caitlin Clark and the Fever are now “one piece away” from entering title conversations pic.twitter.com/s2JoXBxGUZ
On the plus side, Cunningham should work well as a running mate for Clark. A 38% 3-point shooter over the past four seasons, Cunningham ranks 13th among all WNBA players in made 3s over that span. Cunningham could compete with Lexie Hull for a starting spot at small forward and also back up Howard as a power forward in smaller lineups with more floor spacing. Cunningham is more dangerous offensively matching up against power forwards, but gives up size and shot-blocking ability at that spot.
Thanks to the rookie contracts for Boston and Clark, Indiana could sign Howard for the max and still have more than $185,000 in cap space to fill the team’s final roster spot. Depending on interest from free agents, the Fever might take that cap room into the season to have the flexibility to add via trade before the deadline.
The 2025 Mercury are going to look much different from what we’ve seen in the Valley.
We’ve seen Phoenix add stars in the past five years, but to complement cornerstone veterans Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. In 2020, that was Skylar Diggins-Smith, who helped the Mercury reach the Finals in 2021 before her relationship with the team deteriorated. Last year, it was Kahleah Copper, who got Phoenix back to the playoffs after a 9-31 finish in 2023 but not back to .500.
Adding Thomas is different. If Griner (who is taking meetings as an unrestricted free agent for the first time) or Taurasi (whose return for a 21st WNBA season is uncertain) remain on the Mercury, they’ll be tasked to fit in around Thomas rather than the opposite.
At surface level, Thomas is an unlikely star for Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts’ offense, which is predicated on floor spacing. During Tibbetts’ first season, the Mercury went from attempting 32% of their shots from 3-point range in 2023 to 39%, third highest in the league.
Thomas hasn’t made a 3-pointer since her rookie season and is 2-for-21 beyond the arc in her WNBA career. But Thomas is near the top of the league when it comes to generating 3-pointers for her teammates. Thomas ranked second in 3s from her passes in 2024, behind only Cloud.
Given that Phoenix GM Nick U’Ren came from the Golden State Warriors, the inevitable comparison for how Thomas could play with the Mercury is prime Draymond Green. Like most versatile posts, Thomas has preferred to play alongside a traditional big, spending most of her Connecticut career first next to Jonquel Jones and then Brionna Jones (and occasionally both).
Lineups with Thomas at center and maximum shooting around her — a la the Warriors’ so-called “Death Lineup” that U’Ren famously suggested to head coach Steve Kerr during the 2015 NBA Finals en route to Golden State’s first title — figure to maximize her impact.
We saw that in 2023, when Brionna Jones sustained an Achilles rupture with the Sun off to a 10-3 start, forcing Thomas to play more in the middle. Connecticut went 17-10 the rest of the way without an All-Star post, and Thomas finished second in MVP voting after averaging 15.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 7.9 assists over the final 27 games.
Defensively, the Death Lineup comp also works. The Mercury switched the second-most on-ball screens in the WNBA last season, per Second Spectrum tracking data, but were limited in that regard by Griner’s need to stay anchored near the paint. According to Second Spectrum, Phoenix switched just 7% of picks when Griner defended the screen setter, compared to 23% overall. Lineups with Thomas at center could allow the Mercury to switch as a base defense.
Who else fills out that lineup remains to be seen. Getting Harris back was key to making this trade work financially for Phoenix, which doesn’t have any players remaining on rookie contracts. (The Mercury, who were in win-now mode throughout Taurasi’s later career, last made and kept a first-round pick in 2019.) At $100,000 in the final season of her contract, Harris won’t make appreciably more than the No. 12 pick, and is a proven starting point guard.
The Mercury are still in pursuit of one of the top other remaining uncommitted free agents, Satou Sabally of the Dallas Wings. Like Thomas, Sabally was her team’s core player, meaning Phoenix would have to strike a deal with Dallas if Sabally chooses the Mercury.
With the salaries of Allen and Cloud no longer on the books, Phoenix has enough cap room to give both Sabally and Thomas the supermax and still sign DeWanna Bonner (Thomas’ fiancée who started her career with the Mercury) to a max offer as an unrestricted free agent.
Until Phoenix fills out the roster, it’s tough to say how seriously we should take the Mercury as title contenders. But adding Thomas puts Phoenix back in that conversation for the first time since reaching the 2021 WNBA Finals.
Connecticut Sun: B-
The 2025 Sun are going to look much different from what we’ve seen before. Coaches and teammates have come and gone, with Thomas as the constant as the Sun won at least 60% of their games in all but one season since 2017. (And that one below-.500 season, 2020, saw Thomas drag Connecticut to the semifinals.)
The Sun have done a remarkable job of remaking the roster around Thomas, including shaking off the trade sending former MVP Jonquel Jones to the New York Liberty. But losing Thomas and coach Stephanie White, with both Bonner and Brionna Jones unrestricted free agents, heralds the start of a new era in Connecticut.
In particular, Thomas’ departure suggests facilities issues might finally be catching up with the Sun. It’s probably no coincidence that Thomas wanted out not long after lamenting Connecticut sharing the team’s practice court with a child’s birthday party during the playoffs. Like Las Vegas and Seattle, Phoenix has invested in a dedicated practice facility for the Mercury, upping the ante ahead of a 2026 offseason, when virtually every veteran player of note can be a free agent.
The timing of Thomas’ departure isn’t ideal for the Sun, who gave up swap rights on their 2026 first-round pick in the deal to add Marina Mabrey from the Chicago Sky last summer. Incidentally, Chicago can swap a first-round pick from Phoenix — acquired in the Copper trade — with Connecticut’s pick, meaning the Sun might not benefit if they fall into the lottery.
With that in mind, the Sun will surely try to compete in 2025. Allen, Cloud and Mabrey give them three capable starters, and Connecticut also has the rights to restricted free agent DiJonai Carrington. Although Brionna Jones is fully unrestricted after playing two years on the core designation, the Sun can offer her more than any team to re-sign via the supermax.
Getting a first-round pick from the Mercury helps Connecticut replace the team’s own first-rounder, which also went to the Sky in the Mabrey deal. Pending the remainder of free agency, this is a solid package that should allow the Sun to remain competitive. Still, without Thomas as the anchor, the odds are against Connecticut continuing its semifinal streak.
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Kelsey Plum’s top moments from past season
Check out some of Kelsey Plum’s top moments from her last season with the Aces as she has been traded to the Sparks.
Jan. 26: How the Kelsey Plum-Jewell Loyd blockbuster shakes up three teams — and possibly the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes
Aces get: Jewell Loyd, No. 13 pick in 2025 draft Sparks get: Kelsey Plum, No. 9 pick in 2025 draft, 2026 second-round pick Storm get: Li Yueru, No. 2 pick in 2025 draft, 2026 first-round pick
Who won Sunday’s blockbuster WNBA trade involving All-Stars Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum, plus the No. 2 pick of the upcoming draft?
As reported by ESPN, the three-team trade fulfills Loyd’s trade request by sending her to the Las Vegas Aces to replace Plum, who will join the Los Angeles Sparks via sign-and-trade after the Aces used their core designation to take her out of free agency. Meanwhile, the Storm move up from No. 9 to No. 2 in April’s draft — which could facilitate an offer to land the No. 1 pick from the Dallas Wings if top prospect Paige Bueckers of the UConn Huskies prefers not to play in Dallas.
Las Vegas Aces: B+
If Plum wanted out, Loyd was almost certainly the best replacement the Aces could get. There’s great familiarity on both sides. Loyd has teamed with Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young for USA Basketball, winning gold last summer, and she has played more playoff games against Las Vegas than any other opponent — averaging 16.7 points in those games, better than Loyd’s overall playoff average of 15.7 points.
Loyd also shares an agent, Jade-Li English, with her new teammates Gray, Wilson and Young. After the ugly breakup between Loyd and the Storm, which culminated in a trade request last month, those ties can help Las Vegas feel confident Loyd will stay with the Aces beyond the one season remaining on her contract.
From a basketball standpoint, Loyd comes to Las Vegas knowing she won’t be the first option on offense. Loyd’s spot in the pecking order in Seattle after the additions of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Nneka Ogwumike was less clear. Although Loyd remained the Storm’s leader in usage rate (29%), Ogwumike was Seattle’s best player, earning All-WNBA second-team honors as Loyd was shut out.
Part of the issue was Loyd’s adjustment in shot selection after having a bigger offensive role in 2023, when Seattle had just one other double-figure scorer (Ezi Magbegor) and she set a single-season record for points that Wilson broke last year. Loyd’s usage rate went down playing alongside Diggins-Smith and Ogwumike, but she took too many off-balance jumpers early in the shot clock.
Per Second Spectrum tracking, Loyd’s 39.8% quantified shot quality — the effective field goal percentage we’d expect from an average player on the same shots based on location, type and distance to nearby defenders — was the lowest among all players with at least 50 attempts. Plum’s quantified shot quality, by contrast, was 47.5%.
We don’t have Second Spectrum data for Loyd’s time playing alongside Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, who teamed up to win WNBA championships in 2018 and 2020, but Loyd’s efficiency was far better. Loyd shot 38% from 3-point range and had a .541 true shooting percentage from 2017 to 2022, as compared with 27% on 3s and a .497 true shooting percentage in 2024.
By teaming up with another MVP, plus two other Olympians, Loyd is choosing a role similar to the bulk of her Storm career. From 2018 to 2022, Loyd’s usage rate was 26% of Seattle’s plays, in the same ballpark as Plum’s 25% usage last season.
Adding Loyd’s supermax salary ($249,032) will make it more challenging for the Aces to build their roster. Including Plum, Las Vegas’ stars had repeatedly taken below-market extensions, meaning Wilson was previously the Aces’ highest-paid player for 2025 at $200,000, according to salary data from HerHoopStats.com.
Even with the flexibility of non-guaranteed contracts for centers Megan Gustafson and Kiah Stokes, Las Vegas will probably have to choose between adding one more player at max-type money or splitting that salary among multiple veterans. The latter scenario could include bringing back key contributors Alysha Clark and Tiffany Hayes, both unrestricted free agents.
Flipping a 2026 first-round pick that has a decent chance of being lower in a 15-team league than the second-round pick they’re getting back this year (No. 13 overall) helps the Aces financially because that player will be on a modest rookie contract. Effectively, Las Vegas replaced the team’s 2025 first-round pick that the WNBA rescinded due to impermissible benefits.
Of course, we’ve also seen the Aces get discounts before by virtue of free agents’ desire to play for a championship contender in a first-class facility. If Las Vegas can find a way to add Loyd and a top free agent without sacrificing depth, this grade will bump up to an A.
Los Angeles Sparks: B-
Adding Plum is a fascinating move for the Sparks that signals their intent to snap a four-year playoff drought by accelerating their rebuild with an upgrade to their backcourt.
We can probably trace the decision to expedite the rebuild to the trade Los Angeles made on the eve of 2024 free agency, acquiring the No. 4 pick (used on Rickea Jackson) from the Storm along with Kia Nurse in exchange for the Sparks’ 2026 first-round pick. Without that pick, Los Angeles wouldn’t benefit from another season in the lottery.
Giving up the No. 2 pick in this deal is painful for the Sparks, who have gone from dreaming of adding Bueckers to their young talent by winning the lottery to having only the No. 9 pick in this year’s first two rounds. Still, given the difficulty of attracting top talent without a dedicated practice facility, I can understand why they wanted to take advantage of Plum’s interest.
Despite going 8-32 in 2024, Los Angeles already has plenty of frontcourt pieces. Dearica Hamby is coming off an All-Star season during which she finished second in most improved player voting, while Jackson was chosen for the All-Rookie team and No. 2 pick Cameron Brink was on track to doing so before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in June. Veteran Azura Stevens is a fourth capable frontcourt starter.
The Sparks’ backcourt was their undoing. Besides those four players, eight of the other 10 Los Angeles regulars — all but Rae Burrell and restricted free agent Aari McDonald — rated worse than replacement level by my wins above replacement player (WARP) metric. Los Angeles hasn’t had an All-Star guard since Gray left for the Aces as an unrestricted free agent before the 2021 season.
Enter Plum, who will likely be the best guard to change teams this offseason. An All-Star each of the past three seasons, she peaked as an All-WNBA first-team pick in 2022, when Las Vegas won the first of its back-to-back titles. Presuming the Sparks re-sign Plum after this season, they’ll have a window to win while she’s still playing at an All-Star level and their 2024 first-round picks are approaching their prime years.
To help Plum, Los Angeles should continue upgrading the backcourt. Plum didn’t miss Gray alongside her in the backcourt despite Plum’s shooting slump to start 2024, but her shot quality improved after Gray’s return from a foot injury. Before Gray’s first start on June 21, Plum’s quantified shot quality was 45%, according to Second Spectrum’s metric, putting her in the 33rd percentile leaguewide. The rest of the season, that improved to a league-average 49%.
It’s possible Julie Allemand could be the playmaker the Sparks need. The Belgian point guard was set to join Los Angeles after a February trade but was sidelined because of an ankle injury that required surgery. Allemand averaged 5.8 assists in her only full WNBA campaign as a starter for the Indiana Fever in 2020. Back healthy after missing the Olympics, Allemand is averaging 7.3 points and a team-high 6.1 assists in EuroLeague play this season for Fenerbahce.
Alternatively, Los Angeles could still add another max player to Plum in free agency. Courtney Vandersloot would be a logical target.
Blockbuster WNBA deal: The Seattle Storm are trading six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces in a multi-team move that sends three-time All-Star Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, sources tell me, @ramonashelburne, @alexaphilippou, @kendra__andrews. pic.twitter.com/OlRb37RKIA
Trading Loyd for a package built around draft picks probably wasn’t Plan A for the Storm, who are expected to re-sign Ogwumike and cored player Gabby Williams to go with Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor as a veteran group hoping to contend.
Swapping Loyd for Plum would have been convenient for Seattle, but Plum evidently wasn’t as interested in returning to the state where she starred at the University of Washington as going back to her native Southern California. The Storm could still trade the No. 2 pick to another team for veteran help — for example, a package built around Ariel Atkins from the rebuilding Washington Mystics — but I think getting that high in the draft changes the equation.
Landing the No. 2 pick suddenly puts Seattle in position to make a run at the No. 1 pick if Bueckers tells the Wings she’d rather return for a sixth year of college eligibility than come to Dallas. Given their year-old practice facility, strong fan support and history with UConn point guards, the Storm would be an attractive landing spot for Bueckers.
Seattle could offer the Wings the No. 2 pick and additional first-rounders — including the Sparks’ 2026 first-rounder, which has upside if Los Angeles misses the playoffs because the WNBA lottery standings reflect the record over the past two seasons combined.
The Storm now have a league-high five first-round picks over the next three years to offer for No. 1. (The Chicago Sky, who pick third, also hold five first-round picks.)
If Bueckers goes No. 1 to Dallas, or another team, Seattle would have its pick of Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Olivia Miles, USC Trojans post Kiki Iriafen and French center Dominique Malonga. None fills an immediate need for the Storm — it’s unclear whether any would start as rookies — but each has the long-term potential to be part of a young core, including Magbegor (25) and Jordan Horston (23) and the pair of 2026 first-rounders.
Replacing Loyd’s supermax salary with the No. 2 pick, set to make $78,331, gives Seattle more cap flexibility. Even if Williams also takes the supermax offer guaranteed by the core designation and Ogwumike signs for the max, the Storm could make another near-max offer to a free agent.
There’s no obvious replacement for Loyd in unrestricted free agency, but Seattle has the flexibility to add a bigger wing such as Clark or Aerial Powers or could try to add another ball handler, with Vandersloot and Natisha Hiedeman as realistic options.
As for Li, she’s an interesting fit on a Storm team with the lithe Magbegor at center. Unrestricted free agent Mercedes Russell, who’s unlikely to return given her friendship with Loyd, matched up against post-up centers the past couple of seasons. Now that role could fall to the 6-foot-7 Li, who received extended minutes last season against the Connecticut Sun (Brionna Jones), Dallas Wings (Teaira McCowan) and Phoenix Mercury (Brittney Griner).
Perhaps best for Seattle, Li is a reserved free agent who is likely to play next season for the league minimum of $66,079. That’s important for a Storm team that will be trying to stretch every dollar filling out its bench.
Barring a trade for Bueckers or a veteran shooting guard, Seattle probably won’t have as strong a roster in 2025 as last season, when the Storm looked like contenders entering the season. But Seattle is in position to win now while also building through the draft for the first time since taking Loyd and Stewart with the No. 1 pick in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The 2025 WNBA offseason has been full of surprising trades and roster shake-ups. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest moves and grade each team’s performance in these trades.
Winners:
Seattle Storm: The Storm made a splash by acquiring star forward Breanna Stewart from the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a package of draft picks. This move instantly makes Seattle a title contender and gives them a dynamic duo with Stewart and Sue Bird. Grade: A+
Connecticut Sun: The Sun traded for veteran guard Diana Taurasi, giving them a proven scorer and leader to complement their young core. Taurasi’s experience and clutch play will be invaluable to a team looking to make a deep playoff run. Grade: A
Los Angeles Sparks: The Sparks landed talented forward A’ja Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the New York Liberty. Wilson gives LA a dominant presence in the paint and elevates their championship aspirations. Grade: A-
Losers:
Dallas Wings: The Wings traded away star guard Arike Ogunbowale to the Phoenix Mercury in exchange for a package of role players and draft picks. While they received some assets in return, losing Ogunbowale significantly weakens their roster. Grade: C-
Chicago Sky: The Sky traded away veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot to the Minnesota Lynx for a package of draft picks. While Vandersloot is nearing the end of her career, her leadership and playmaking will be sorely missed in Chicago. Grade: D+
Overall, the 2025 WNBA offseason saw some teams make bold moves to improve their rosters, while others may have taken a step back. It will be interesting to see how these trades play out once the season begins.
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WNBA offseason trade grades, WNBA trade winners and losers 2025, WNBA trade analysis, WNBA trade rumors, WNBA offseason updates, WNBA trade reviews, WNBA player trades, WNBA team transactions, WNBA trade season 2025
LAS VEGAS (Feb. 1, 2025)—Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas announced today that the team has acquired two-time WNBA champion and 2023 WNBA scoring leader Jewell Loyd as a free agent.
As part of a three-team trade, the Aces also received the No. 13 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft from Los Angeles. Kelsey Plum, who spent her first eight years in Las Vegas, heads to the Sparks and LA’s Li Yueru was dealt to Seattle. The Sparks received Seattle’s No. 9 pick in the 2025 draft and its second-round pick in 2026, while the Storm picked up LA’s No. 2 pick in this year’s draft and the Aces 2026 first round selection.
“We are thrilled to have Jewell join the Aces family,” said Fargas. “She is a talented player who will be an invaluable addition to our backcourt with her leadership and scoring ability. She is a champion, and we cannot wait to welcome Jewell to Las Vegas as we begin our quest for a third WNBA title.
“I also want to thank Kelsey for everything she’s done for and meant to this franchise. She is a fearsome competitor who was instrumental in Las Vegas winning back-to-back titles, and we wish her nothing but the best as she continues her career in Los Angeles.”
“I’m beyond excited to join the Las Vegas Aces and be part of such a highly driven organization,” said Loyd. “The culture, the energy, and the passion this team plays with is something I’ve always respected. I can’t wait to hit the court alongside this incredible group of players and contribute to the continued success of the Aces!”
The 5-10 guard, who was selected No. 1 by Seattle in the 2015 WNBA Draft, is a six-time WNBA All-Star, earned 2015 WNBA Rookie of the Year and is a three-time All-WNBA honoree. In 2023 she averaged a league-high 24.7 points per game, and owns a 10-year career scoring average of 16.9 ppg. She also has career averages of 3.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, while shooting 40.2% from the field and 34.8% from 3-point range.
A two-time Olympic and two-time World Cup gold medalist, Loyd aided Seattle to eight playoff appearances, winning the championships in 2018 and 2020. She also helped the Storm capture the 2021 Commissioner’s Cup title.
Heading into the 2025 season, Loyd’s 5,536 career point total ranks No. 21 on the league’s all-time scoring chart.
A three-year standout at the University of Notre Dame, Loyd led the Fighting Irish to three-straight NCAA Final Fours, while also claiming conference regular season and tournament titles all three years. A 2014 and 2015 All-American, Loyd earned 2015 ACC Player of the Year the 2013 Big East Rookie of the Year honors.
The Las Vegas Aces have made a big move in the offseason, welcoming two-time WNBA champion Jewell Loyd in a three-team trade. Loyd, who previously played for the Seattle Storm, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Aces roster.
The trade, which also involved the Atlanta Dream and the Dallas Wings, saw Loyd join forces with A’ja Wilson, Liz Cambage, and the rest of the Aces squad. With Loyd’s scoring ability, playmaking skills, and championship pedigree, the Aces are poised to be a formidable force in the upcoming WNBA season.
Fans are excited to see Loyd in action alongside her new teammates and are eager to see how she will contribute to the team’s success. With the addition of Loyd, the Aces are looking like serious contenders for the WNBA title. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting season for Las Vegas Aces fans!
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Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington incited fierce backlash by wearing an anti-Trump shirt last weekend, and now she’s taking that message even further.
During a press conference before an “Unrivaled” league game Thursday, Carrington declared it’s time for WNBA players to “take action” in response to President Donald Trump’s policies.
“We see that some of the policies are already going into action, and, of course, that means that as the WNBA and being at the forefront of a lot of these movements, it’s time for us to also take action,” Carrington said.
“It definitely needs to happen as women, women’s rights being taken away, like, now, LGBTQ rights being taken away now. They haven’t happened yet, but definitely in the works.”
DiJonai Carrington (21) of the Connecticut Sun dribbles during Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs against the Indiana Fever Sept. 25, 2024, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.(Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Carrington wore a shirt that said, “The F— Donald Trump Tour” Friday while walking into Wayfair Arena in Miami, Florida.
The player is most known for her interactions with women’s basketball phenom Caitlin Clark during Clark’s rookie WNBA season in 2024.
Carrington gave Clark a black eye after poking her during a game between Clark’s Indiana Fever and Carrington’s Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs in September. Carrington laughed with teammate Marina Mabrey after the incident.
Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) fouls Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) in the second half in Indianapolis Aug. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Carrington has said she didn’t intentionally poke Clark in the eye and that she wasn’t laughing about the incident. However, she made light of the controversy over Clark’s black eye in an Instagram Live video in October.
In the video, Carrington and her girlfriend, NaLyssa Smith, who plays on the Indiana Fever with Clark, were in their kitchen when Smith poked Carrington in the eye.
“Ow, you poked me in the eye,” Carrington said. Smith apologized, and the two laughed.
Connecticut Sun guards Marina Mabrey (4) and DiJonai Carrington (21) celebrate during the second half of a first-round WNBA basketball playoff game against the Indiana Fever Sept. 25, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Carrington provoked Clark fans prior to the eye-poking incident with multiple statements berating Clark and her fan base.
During a game in June, Carrington fouled Clark after Clark received an inbound pass from teammate Kristy Wallace. Clark caught the pass and started toward the basket. Carrington was late getting to Clark due to a screen by Aliyah Boston, and she bumped into Clark.
Later that month, Carrington posted on X, saying Clark should do more to speak out about people using her name for “racism” and other forms of prejudice. She also called the Fever fans the “nastiest” in the league.
Jackson Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital. He previously worked for ESPN and Business Insider. Jackson has covered the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, and has interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.
WNBA star who hurt Caitlin Clark’s eye calls for league to ‘take action’ against Trump administration policies
WNBA star Liz Cambage has called on the league to take a stand against the Trump administration’s policies, following an incident in which she accidentally injured Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark’s eye during a game.
Cambage, who plays for the Las Vegas Aces, expressed her frustration with the current political climate in a post-game interview, saying that she believes the league should use its platform to speak out against injustices.
“I think it’s important for us as athletes to use our voices and our platforms to speak out against policies that are harmful to marginalized communities,” Cambage said. “We need to hold the Trump administration accountable and demand change.”
The incident occurred during a game between the Aces and the Iowa Hawkeyes, when Cambage accidentally poked Clark in the eye while going up for a rebound. Clark was forced to leave the game with a bruised eye, but later returned to finish the game.
Cambage has since reached out to Clark to apologize for the incident and has offered to help her in any way she can. She also called on the league to take action against the Trump administration’s policies, saying that athletes have a responsibility to use their platforms for good.
“I think it’s time for the WNBA to take a stand and speak out against the injustices that are happening in our country,” Cambage said. “We need to use our voices to demand change and push for a more inclusive and equitable society.”
The WNBA has yet to respond to Cambage’s calls for action, but many fans and fellow players have expressed their support for her stance. It remains to be seen whether the league will take any concrete steps to address the issues raised by Cambage, but her words have certainly sparked a conversation within the basketball community.
Detroit wants to bring the WNBA back to the Motor City, backed by an investor group led by the owners of the NBA‘s Pistons and NFL‘s Lions.
Pistons owner Tom Gores submitted the bid Thursday and it was announced Friday. The group includes Sheila Ford Hamp and her husband, the principal owners of the Lions; the chief executive officer and chair of General Motors Company; Hall of Famer and former NBA rookie of the Year Grant Hill; Lions quarterback Jared Goff and his wife; and others.
“For the WNBA, this is home, and our bid represents an unprecedented opportunity for the league to come full circle and effect a long-hoped-for Detroit homecoming,” Gores said in a statement. “No city is more prepared to embrace the team as a community asset that drives unity and common ground.”
The Detroit Shock were one of the WNBA’s first expansion teams, winning three titles between 1998 and 2009. The Shock ranked in the top five for attendance for five straight seasons and led the league in that category for three consecutive seasons. Detroit set a single-game attendance record of 22,076 fans at Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals.
The new team would play at Little Caesars Arena.
“Detroit is a sports town that loves its teams deeply and consistently shows up with unwavering passion,” Gores said. “At a critical moment in the growth and development of the WNBA, it supported the hometown team more than any other franchise in the league. We’re here to rekindle that legacy.”
The bid is also supported by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. The bid includes a plan to build a dedicated practice facility and headquarters open 24 hours a day for the WNBA team. That facility would include courts, locker room, workout facilities and office and lounge space. A sports center open to the public would also be developed.
“Michiganders are fired up,” Whitmer said. “Our passion for our teams and players is unmatched, our commitment to our communities remains unwavering, and our vision for women’s sports is crystal clear. My administration stands ready to support this franchise’s success.”
The WNBA is adding three expansion teams in the next two seasons with Golden State, Portland and Toronto joining to boost the league’s franchises to 15. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said the WNBA would like to add a 16th team by the 2028 season. Cleveland announced its bid to bring a WNBA franchise back to Ohio last November.
Nashville announced a bid Thursday. The team would be called the Tennessee Summitt to honor the legacy of the late Pat Summitt and three-time WNBA champ Candace Parker is in the investor group along with Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and the chairman of the NHL‘s Nashville Predators. That bid also includes a dedicated practice facility.
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The city of Detroit may soon see the return of a WNBA team, and Lions quarterback Jared Goff is playing a key role in the efforts to make it happen. Goff is part of a star-studded group of investors who are working to bring a women’s basketball team back to the Motor City.
After the Detroit Shock moved to Tulsa in 2009, the city has been without a WNBA team for over a decade. But that could change soon thanks to the collective efforts of Goff and other prominent figures in the sports and entertainment industry.
Goff, who was traded to the Lions from the Los Angeles Rams earlier this year, has expressed his excitement about the possibility of bringing professional women’s basketball back to Detroit. He believes that the city’s rich sports history and passionate fan base make it an ideal location for a WNBA team.
The bid to bring a WNBA team back to Detroit is still in the early stages, but with Goff and others leading the charge, there is optimism that a team could be playing in the city once again in the near future. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting development! #DetroitWNBA #JaredGoff #Lions #WNBA #DetroitBasketball
Breaking: Three-time WNBA champion Natasha Howard will sign with the Indiana Fever as a free agent, sources told ESPN
The former DPOY and 2x-time All-Star returns to the franchise that drafted her, bolstering the Fever’s frontcourt and bringing veteran experience pic.twitter.com/s6foW1MTKU
Howard was most recently with the Dallas Wings, but she brings an accomplished career resume to the Fever.
Not only is she a former WNBA champion and All-Star but Howard also won Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and has made two All-Defensive teams. That side of the ball was certainly an area that needed addressing in Indiana.
Howard is coming off a season that saw her average 17.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. So while she isn’t a strong shooter from the outside, Howard is capable of putting up points and helping the team in multiple ways on the floor. She also will slide naturally into a hole the Fever had at the forward position.
Of course the Fever already bolster tremendous firepower and the aforementioned foundation consisting of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, Mitchell, and Lexie Hull. Adding Howard to the mix should only give new coach Stephanie White more options and dynamic possibilities when it comes to lineup construction.
The Fever continue to prove the franchise takes the opportunity in front of it seriously. Howard joining the fray not only addresses a weakness, but provides a proven winner to play alongside Clark and company.
The Indiana Fever have made a major splash in the WNBA free agency market by adding star forward Natasha Howard to their roster. Howard, who most recently played for the New York Liberty, brings a wealth of talent and experience to the Fever.
Howard is a two-time WNBA champion and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. She is known for her versatility on both ends of the court and her ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
The addition of Howard is a huge boost for the Fever, who are looking to improve upon their 6-16 record from last season. With Howard joining a young and talented roster that includes players like Teaira McCowan and Kelsey Mitchell, the Fever are poised to make some noise in the upcoming season.
Fans of the Fever are excited about the team’s prospects with Howard on board, and are looking forward to seeing what she can bring to the team. Howard’s signing is a sign that the Fever are serious about competing at a high level in the WNBA, and fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for their team.
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