Table of Contents
Free Agency Results
Free Agency was a whirlwind this year, and we saw a ton of movement in just 2 weeks. This newsletter is split into Part 1 and Part 2 because I did my best to give you an outlook on the team, as well as highlighting the returning, new, and departing players.
Training camp started Sunday, April 19th, and there are a few rules to know:
The training camp roster size has increased from 15 players to 20 players. (18 + 2 development players)
Teams have to cut their roster down to 12 people, and they have to have 12 players on the roster, unlike previous years, where they could carry 10-11.
Some players will be arriving late to training camp because of overseas commitments. Some players will be arriving late to the season. The prioritization rule does not affect players with 3 years or less of experience.
For example, this is the last year Leonie Fiebich can arrive late to the WNBA season without a full year suspension because she is going into her 4th year.
Players can still be signed up until the end of the regular season, so people not on rosters right now can very well be on them at some point during the season.
If you are a salary nerd:
Follow Patrick Arsenault if you are a Salary Cap nerd and want to know how much money teams have left over to spend
Some players are on Floating Protected Veteran Max or Supermax: a top-tier salary structure that is not a fixed dollar amount, but rather a percentage of the league's rising (or falling) salary cap
This is the deal that only Sabrina, A’ja (Supermax), Aliyah Boston, and Stewie have
Here is a glossary of certain terms I will be using
Terms and Color Legend | Meaning |
|---|---|
Supermax | Higher than the standard max (20% of the cap) - 1.4 Million. Will likely increase by 3-5% each year |
Max | Standard max (17% of the cap) - 1.19 million. Max will likely increase by 3-5% each year |
Protected Veteran (PV) | Salaries that are guaranteed to players if they are cut for any reason |
Protected Rookie (PR) | Starting in 2026, the first year of a Top 5 (lottery) pick’s contract is fully guaranteed. Example: Maddy Siegrist is protected because Dallas picked up her 4th-year option, and she was the third pick in 2023. That’s why Paige is unprotected—she’s only in her 2nd year. |
Unprotected (U) | Contracts that are signed without any salary protections. AKA can be cut at any time at no cost to the team |
Training Camp Contract (TC) | Non-guaranteed contract that doesn’t count towards the salary cap unless they make the opening day roster |
Development Player | Development players are typically young players—eligible if they have 0–3 years of WNBA service, or 4–5 years with limited playing time. |
🟢 Guaranteed to Make the Team | Players highlighted in green are 100% making the roster. |
🔵 Likely to Make the Team | Players highlighted in blue are on unprotected contracts but have a strong chance of making the team. |
🟠 Competing for a Roster Spot | Players highlighted in orange are on unprotected or training camp contracts and are fighting for a spot. |
* | This means they will be arriving late for training camp and/or the season because of international commitments |
Team By Team
Atlanta Dream
The Atlanta Dream ended the 2025 season with the best regular season in the WNBA, as well as the best in franchise history. Although an unexpected first-round exit cut their championship dreams short, they were still a very solid team. You don’t finish number 1 in the East by accident. Karl and the front office know this and decided to run it back, bringing back the majority of the roster with a few elite tweaks.
The biggest tweak was the trade for Angel Reese, which only cost them two future first-round picks and no players (an absolute steal). I personally see Angel as Sixth Woman of the Year potential, but don’t be surprised if she starts—Brionna Jones may miss the start of the season after suffering a torn meniscus in January while playing overseas.
The Returners
Allisha Gray (PV max contract 1.19 mil /3yrs)
Rhyne Howard (PV extension, just below the max at 1.1 mil/3yrs)
Brionna Jones (PV just below the max at 1 million/3yrs)
Naz Hillman (PV 840,000/3yrs)
Jordin Canada (PV $650,000/2yrs)
Te-Hina Pao Pao (rookie unprotected 277,500)
Taylor Thierry (U)
Additions
Angel Reese (rookie unprotected 350,692)
Sika Koné * (TC)
Holly Winterburn * (TC)
Isobel Borlase (Australia) (TC)
Laila Phelia ( Syracuse) (TC)
Paige Robinson (Illinois State) (TC)
Sacha Washington (Vanderbilt) (TC)
Bella Fontleroy (Baylor) (TC)
Stephanie Jones * (Bri Jones’ Sister!) (TC)
Draft
Madina Okot (South Carolina) - 13th pick
Indya Nivar (North Carolina) - 28th pick
Kejia Ran (China) - 49th pick (not on TC Roster)
Departures: Brittney Griner (CT), Nia Coffey (Lynx), Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (Fever), Maya Cadwell (Portland)
Outlook: Championship Contenders
Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky ended last season as they always do, losing. This offseason, they did the unthinkable and traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. Of course, this was a shock to most people with sense and, most importantly, actual Skytown fans. However, as free agency has progressed, I’ve started to see the situation a bit differently.
Yes, she was bringing in crazy amounts of money to the franchise, but after her comments last year that highlighted the deteriorating situation in Chicago, the situation became untenable. The Sky needed to turn a new leaf, and that couldn’t be done with Angel still there.
With that being said, they’ve retooled in an amazing way. Flipping Ariel Atkins, someone they gave up a first-round pick (Sonia Citron) to acquire, for Rickea Jackson adds a dynamic scorer and playmaker next to Kamilla. They have some continuity with Elizabeth Williams and Rachael Banham, who will probably play much better now that she doesn’t have to pretend to be the starting PG. They brought back fan favorite and Azurá Stevens, and brought in an excellent PG and vet in Skylar Diggins. Also, signing Dijonai Carrington is fun!
The Returners
Kamilla Cardoso* (461,171 U)
Rachael Banham (PV 425,000/1yr)
Elizabeth Williams * (PV 600,000/2yrs)
Hailey Van Lith (289,133 U)
Maddy Westbeld (277,500 U)
Courtney Vandersloot (PV 750,000/2yrs)
Additions
Skylar Diggins (PV 920,000/2yrs)
Rickea Jackson (unprocted rookie 430,654)
Azurá Stevens (PV 1 mil/3yrs )
Dijonai Carrington (PV 650,000/1yr)
Jacy Sheldon (402,155 U)
Sidney Cooks (TC)
Aicha Coulibaly (TC)
Jordan Hobbs (TC)
Megan Nestor (TC)
Sydney Taylor (TC)
Draft
Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA) - 5th pick
Latasha Lattimore (Ole Miss) - 21st Pick
Tonie Morgan (Kentucky)- 32nd Pick
Departures: Angel Reese (Dream), Bec Allen (Liberty), Michaela Onyenware (Mystics), Ariel Atkins (Sparks), Kia Nurse (Tempo), Sevgi Uzun (Sparks)
Outlook: Bottom-tier to mid-level team. Could sneak into the last playoff spot if something clicks.
@chicagosky these two😭😭 #skytown
Connecticut Sun
This is the last season before the sun sets in good old Uncasville, and their roster definitely reflects that. After 23 years as New England’s team, they’ll be moving to Houston in 2027. With that, the roster really feels like a mix of young players and rookies, vets looking to get paid, and a few players playing the Texas long game.
When looking at their roster and signings, it’s important to know that head coach Rachid Meziane led the Belgium women’s national team and also coached in France. He coached Kennedy Burke when she won back-to-back MVPs in France, hence the $1M contract, and a lot of their training camp deals are with French players as well. Connecticut also helped Dallas by taking Diamond Miller’s big contract off their hands. She has a real opportunity to reinvent her image in the WNBA.
This team will suck, but I think the vibes will be great!
The Returners
Aneesah Morrow (331,562 U)
Saniya Rivers (309,622 U)
Leila Lacan (289,133 U)
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (PV 735,000/2 yrs)
Aaliyah Edwards (375,542 U)
Mamignan Touré (TC)
Additions
Kennedy Burke (PV $1 Million/1yr)
Brittney Griner (PV Max 1.19/1yr)
Diamond Miller (PR 536,588)
Shey Peddy (TC)
Harmoni Turner (TC)
Raegan Beers (Oklahoma) (TC)
Madison Hayes (TC)
Draft
Nell Angloma (France) -12th pick
Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA)- 15th pick
Charlisse Leger-Walker(UCLA) - 18th pick
Ines Pitarch-Granel (France) 27th pick
Serah Williams (UCONN) - 33rd pick
Taylor Bigby (TCU)- 37th Pick by Portland and traded to CT
Departures: Marina Mabery (Tempo), Lindsey Allen (Dallas), Tina Charles (?), Bria Hartley (?)
Outlook: They might win a game
Dallas Wings
WOW, just WOW. Curt Miller traveled all around the world this offseason scouting talent, and still ended up basically taking Minnesota’s things and choosing Azzi in the draft. They added a ton of frontcourt depth with Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith, and brought back Awak Kuier, who sat out a couple of seasons because Dallas was so dysfunctional. Awak looks AMAZING and just helped lead her Euroleague team to the finals.
They also signed Arike to a multi-year deal, which surprised the hell out of me. She’s Greg Bibb’s Devin Booker lol. He clearly wants her in Dallas long-term. That’s also evident in how they’ve surrounded her with teammates from that Notre Dame championship pipeline in Jessica Shepard and Lindsay Allen. Of course, they were also looking at the Paige aspect, reuniting her with her college teammate Azzi Fudd. Dallas clearly needs shooting, and Azzi certainly helps with that.
Outside of Chicago, Dallas had one of the biggest retoolings and I don’t even know what to make of them. They will either be really good or way too crowded.
This will be a real cutthroat training camp.
The Returners
Arike Ogunbowale* ( PV max, $1.19/$1.24 Million/ 2yrs)
Paige Bueckers (Increased rookie salary to $500,00)
Maddy Siegrist (increased protected rookie salary to $501,080)
Awak Kueir* (PV 525,000/1yr)
Li Yueru ( 277,500 TC)
Aziaha James (289,133 U)
JJ Quinerly (277,500 U)
Grace Berger (TC)
Amy Okonkwo (TC)
Additions
Alanna Smith (PV Max 1.19/3yrs)
Jessica Shepard *(PV 1 Mil/2yrs)
Lindsey Allen (410,000 U)
Alysha Clark (TC)
Oydessy Sims (TC)
Raya Marshall (277,500 U)
Dulcy Fankam Mendijiadeu *(TC)
Grace Sullivan (TC)
Kyla Oldacre (Texas) (TC)
Shyanne Sellers (TC)
Constanza Verona *(TC)
Draft
Azzi Fudd (UCONN)- #1 Pick
Zee Spearman (Tennessee)- 31st pick
Departures: Myshia Hines-Allen (Fever), Tyasha Harris (Fever), Diamond Miller (CT), Luisa Geiselsöder (Tempo), Haley Jones (Portland)
Outlook: Fighting for the Playoffs type team
This team will either be really good or really clunky. Really interested to see if the Arike and Paige backcourt will improve under the new coaching. Also, they don’t really have a center outside of Li?
@dallaswings good thing we don't have to wish 😁 AZZI HOOPS R BACK #wnba
Golden State Valkyries
If you thought Golden State was poised to regress, think again. They decided to retain key pieces while adding more talent to remain a competitive team once again. Most notably, they signed Gabby Williams to a three-year contract, reuniting her with the Bay Area and adding more defense on top of the torture chamber Veronica Burton puts people in.
They are finally bringing over their draft pick from last year, Justé Jocyté, who is one of the top players in Europe right now. They also added former Aces center Kiah Stokes, who will bring some much-needed rim protection after losing Monique and Temi.
Really solid team, but their training camp is also about to be a bloodbath.
The Returners
Kayla Thornton (PV 750,000/1yr)
Veronic Burton (PV 925,000/3yrs)
Illiana Rupert * (450,000 U)
Janelle Salaün * (500,000 U)
Kaila Charles * (PV 600,000/2yrs)
Cecilia Zandalasini * (500,000 U)
Kate Martin (TC)
Larticia Amihere (TC)
Kaitlyn Chen (TC)
Tiffany Hayes (PV 600,000/1yr)
Additions
Gabby Williams * (PV max 1.19/ 3yrs)
Justė Jocytė * (500,000 U)
Kiah Stokes (PV 375,000/2 yrs)
Caroline Ducharme
Miela Sowah
Bailey Maupin
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda
Mariella Fasoula
Carte Reese
Draft
Marta Suarez (TCU)- 16th pick
Ashlon Jackson (Duke)- 23rd pick
Saffron Shiels (Australia)- 26th pick
Kokoro Tanka (Japan)- 38th Pick
Departures: Monique Billings (Fever), Temi Fagbenle (Tempo), Carle Leite (Portland), Maria Conde (Tempo)
Outlook: They will be a solid team fighitng forr play off contention. Idk who their big offensive talent is, though. Interested to see how KT shakes back from her ACL tear
@valkyries BAY WAKE UP, VALKYRIES BASKETBALL IS BACK 🗣️ @sephora | Training Camp
Indiana Fever
The Fever did the most important thing this offseason and secured their big three for what may be their last run together. With AB securing the biggest contract in WNBA history (to date) and CC due to receive that same EPIC raise next year, there’s no way to afford them and Kelsey long-term unless she takes a discount.
Another thing this team will have to worry about is the lack of true bigs behind AB. The Fever front office said they went guard-heavy due to the injuries to their guards last year, but with only Monique Billings backing up AB, that could be a real concern if AB misses any time. No shade to Mo, she is a solid big who built chemistry with CC over the USA Basketball camp, they are just locked into her contract for 2 years.
Overall, I think this is a big three that can win a chip together, but health will be everything.
The Returners
Cailtin Clark (528,846 U)
Kelsey Mitchell (PV Supermax, 1.4 mil/1yr)
Aliyah Boston (PR MAX 1 Mil/ 1yr, PV 1.4+/3yrs)
AB is the first player to sign an EPIC deal. Meaning she was a rookie who made All WNBA/Won an individual award, making her eligible for the Max this upcoming year. For the next 3 years, she will be making the Supermax as she signed an extension)
Lexie Hull (PV 765,000/2yrs)
Sophie Cunningham (PV 665,000/1yr)
Damiris Dantas (277,500 U)
Makayla Timpson (277,500 U)
Additions
Myisha Hines-Allen (PV 315,000/1yr)
Monique Billings ( PV 800,000/2yrs)
Tyasha Harris (400,000 U)
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (TC)
Megan McConnel * (TC)
Kayana Traylor* (TC)
Draft
Raven Johnson (South Carolina) - 10th pick
Justine Pissott (Vanderbilt)- 25th pick - DEVELOPMENT PLAYER
Jessica Timmons (Alabama)- 40th pick
Departures: Natasha Howard (Lynx), Oydessy Sims (Dallas), Ariel Powers (?), Aari McDonald (?), Syd Colson (?), Bri Turner (?)
Outlook: Playoffs, Possible Championship Contenders
What’s Next?
Training camp: April 20th- Opening Day
Preseason: Preseason Games Start April 25th
Preseason is free to watch on League Pass from April 25th to May 3rd
Season: Opening Day is May 8th
Media Highlights
Check out some of the cool podcasts, videos, reads, and fashion I saw this week.
