Kelsey Plum, Kelsey Mitchell and each WNBA group’s prime free agent

We’re a couple of days faraway from the conclusion of the WNBA season, and free company is about to start in February. Each group has key free brokers that they’ll wish to prioritize, and on prime of that, an expansion draft looms wherein groups will get to guard six gamers from probably being chosen by the Golden State Valkyries in December.

There are a pair completely different key phrases to know because it pertains to WNBA free company. Groups can use the core designation to realize unique negotiation rights with a participant, even when they’re an unrestricted free agent — however gamers can solely be cored twice of their profession. Moreover, as soon as gamers end their rookie contract, they turn out to be restricted free brokers — they will signal with a distinct group, however their present group has the fitting to match any supply.

There’s additionally reserved gamers, or gamers with three of fewer years of service on an expiring contract who can solely negotiate with their present group. If groups don’t prolong gamers a reserved qualifying supply, gamers turn out to be unrestricted free brokers in February.

Atlanta Dream — Tina Charles

Free brokers: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (unrestricted), Aerial Powers (unrestricted), Tina Charles (unrestricted), Lorela Cubaj (reserved), Maya Caldwell (reserved)

The Dream’s prime free agent is 35-year-old Tina Charles, who averaged 14.9 factors and 9.6 rebounds within the 2024 season. Charles, the second-leading scorer in WNBA historical past, has said she desires to return to the WNBA subsequent season, and given how efficient she was this previous season, it’s very doubtless Atlanta will need her again.

Chicago Sky — Chennedy Carter

Free brokers: Isabelle Harrison (unrestricted), Brianna Turner (unrestricted), Diamond DeShields (unrestricted), Chennedy Carter (restricted), Michaela Onyenwere (restricted), Dana Evans (restricted).

Free Brokers: Isabelle Harrison (unrestricted), Brianna Turner (unrestricted), Diamond DeShields (unrestricted), Chennedy Carter (restricted), Michaela Onyenwere (restricted), Dana Evans (restricted).

Chennedy Carter had a sensational yr for the Sky, averaging 17.5 factors on 48.7% taking pictures. Carter was a giant a part of the Sky’s early season success, and he or she thrived below head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. With T-Spoon fired, there’s a query about how Carter may fare below a distinct coach — she’s struggled prior to now and sat out of the 2023 season after being suspended — however she did sufficient on the ground for the Sky to warrant her being a precedence this offseason.

Connecticut Solar — Alyssa Thomas

Free brokers: Alyssa Thomas (unrestricted), Brionna Jones (unrestricted), DeWanna Bonner (unrestricted), Tiffany Mitchell (unrestricted), Astou Ndour-Fall (unrestricted), DiJonai Carrington (restricted), Veronica Burton (reserved), Caitlin Bickle (reserved)

Alyssa Thomas is sort of synonymous with the Connecticut Solar id at this level. The five-time All Star is a giant cause why the Solar have been a perennial playoff group, however her 11-year tenure with the group could possibly be coming to an finish this season.

As an elite facilitator, rebounder, and defender, Thomas will likely be have loads of suitors on the free market. In any case, this previous season, she averaged 10.6 factors, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals, whereas anchoring the Solar’s league-best protection. If the Solar re-sign Thomas, it will be a sign that the franchise desires to stay in championship competition subsequent season — however a transfer away from her may spell the start of a rebuild.

Dallas Wings — Satou Sabally

Free brokers: Satou Sabally (unrestricted), Natasha Howard (unrestricted), Jaelyn Brown (reserved), Sevgi Uzun (reserved)

Satou Sabally was named WNBA’s Most Improved Participant in 2023, however her 2024 marketing campaign was severely restricted attributable to a shoulder damage that saved her out of the primary half of the season. Nonetheless, she was efficient in her return, averaging 17.9 factors, 6.4 rebounds, and 5 assists in 15 post-Olympic video games. The 6’ 4 ahead, dubbed “The Unicorn”, has spent everything of her five-year WNBA profession in Dallas, however could possibly be headed elsewhere this summer season.

Indiana Fever — Kelsey Mitchell

Free brokers: Kelsey Plum (unrestricted), Alysha Clark (unrestricted), Tiffany Hayes (unrestricted), Sydney Colson (unrestricted), Queen Egbo (reserved)

Free brokers: Kelsey Mitchell (unrestricted), Erica Wheeler (unrestricted), Temi Fagbenle (restricted)

Kelsey Mitchell is contemporary off of a profession season, wherein she averaged 19.2 factors on 46.8% taking pictures en path to her first postseason berth. Mitchell was a giant a part of why Indiana was so good after the Olympic break, and re-signing the 28-year-old taking pictures guard will definitely be the offseason precedence for the group. However, she’s beforehand said she desires to discover free company for the primary time in her profession, and will find yourself elsewhere this offseason.

Las Vegas Aces — Kelsey Plum

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Free brokers: Kelsey Plum (unrestricted), Alysha Clark (unrestricted), Tiffany Hayes (unrestricted), Sydney Colson (unrestricted), Queen Egbo (reserved)

It was an up-and-down season for Kelsey Plum, who averaged 17.8 factors and 4.2 assists on 42.3% taking pictures. However, Plum stays one of many league’s elite guards and will likely be stay highly-coveted this offseason. Although the Aces have two different Olympic guards in Chelsea Grey and Jackie Younger, within the postseason, it was Plum who usually served as A’ja Wilson’s secondary scoring choice.

Los Angeles Sparks — Aari McDonald

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Free brokers: Kia Nurse (unrestricted), Aari McDonald (restricted), Li Yueru (reserved)

Aari McDonald missed 14 video games attributable to damage this previous season, however was efficient when she performed, averaging 8.7 factors and three.7 assists. McDonald began 10 video games for the Sparks, and gave the impression to be slot in Los Angeles after three seasons in Atlanta. As a result of McDonald is a restricted free agent, the Sparks can retain her if it’s a precedence. However, they might additionally wish to see an improve on the guard place.

Minnesota Lynx — Natisha Hiedeman

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Free brokers: Myisha Hines-Allen (unrestricted), Natisha Hiedeman (unrestricted), Cecilia Zandalasini (reserved), Olivia Epoupa (reserved)

A lot of the Lynx’s key gamers are below contract subsequent season. However, Natisha Hiedeman serves as a key exception. Hiedeman is an unrestricted free agent who performed a significant position within the Lynx’s Finals run, averaging 5.7 factors per sport on 45.5% taking pictures in 14.3 minutes in the course of the playoffs. She served as a dependable backup guard to Courtney Williams, and will function a set off the bench for numerous postseason groups.

New York Liberty — Breanna Stewart

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Free brokers: Breanna Stewart (unrestricted), Courtney Vandersloot (unrestricted), Kennedy Burke (unrestricted), Ivan Dojkic (reserved), Jaylyn Sherrod (reserved)

Breanna Stewart is technically an unrestricted free agent this summer season, however Stewart has mentioned she’ll be again. Nonetheless, re-signing her will the primary offseason to-do record merchandise for the Liberty. Stewart averaged 20.4 factors, 8.5 rebounds, and three.5 assists this previous season, as soon as once more making First Group All-WNBA.

Courtney Vandersloot can be an unrestricted free agent this summer season, and her future is extra unsure given her uneven minutes this previous season, significantly after she was relegated to the bench within the playoffs.

Phoenix Mercury — Brittney Griner

Free brokers: Diana Taurasi (unrestricted, contemplating retirement), Brittney Griner (unrestricted), Monique Billings (unrestricted), Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (reserved), Natasha Mack (reserved), Charisma Osborne (reserved), Celeste Taylor (reserved), Amy Atwell (reserved)

Brittney Griner is the one member of the Mercury’s core that’s going into free company — aside from Diana Taurasi, who appears to be headed towards a retirement that continues to be unconfirmed. Griner is not in her prime, however she’s nonetheless an efficient large; this previous season, she averaged 17.8 factors, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per sport. The 34-year-old has already said she has extra basketball forward of her, and will likely be coveted by groups trying to bolster their frontcourt.

Seattle Storm — Nneka Ogwumike

Free brokers: Nneka Ogwumike (unrestricted), Gabby Williams (unrestricted), Mercedes Russell (unrestricted), Sami Whitcomb (unrestricted), Joyner Holmes (unrestricted), Victoria Vivians (unrestricted)

Nneka Ogwumike was most likely the Storm’s most constant participant this previous season. The previous MVP averaged 16.7 factors on 51.1% taking pictures and seven.6 rebounds, whereas usually being tasked with guarding the opposing group’s prime scorer. At 34, Ogwumike remains to be one of many higher two-way gamers within the WNBA, and bringing her again will likely be a precedence for Seattle.

The Storm have Ezi Magbegor, Jewell Loyd, and Skylar Diggins-Smith below contract by means of 2025, so bringing again Ogwumike and Gabby Williams — each unrestricted free brokers — will likely be at focal factors of the offseason.

Washington Mystics — Elena Delle Donne

Free brokers: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (unrestricted), Emily Engstler (restricted), Sug Sutton (reserved), Julie Vanloo (restricted)

An important free agent on the Mystics is somebody who wasn’t on the group this previous season: Elena Delle Donne. Delle Donne sat out the 2024 season, and it’s unclear whether or not she plans on returning to the league this yr. However, if she does return, the 35-year-old may assist ignite the franchise to a a lot better season. In any case, she averaged 16.7 factors per sport on 48.5% taking pictures in 2023, and is a two-time MVP.

Exterior of Delle Donne, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Emily Engstler each emerged as key items for Washington, and each ought to draw some curiosity league-wide.