2025 WNBA free agency: Which players could make the biggest moves?

After drinking from bottles of champagne and beer to celebrate their third WNBA title in four years, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray spoke to reporters from the podium while a Las Vegas Aces staffer in the back of the room bemoaned a potential incoming fine for the organization.

“No problem,” Aces owner Mark Davis joked in response. “They’re free agents now.”

They’re not the only ones. The league’s most anticipated offseason is finally here, and the title-winning trio in Las Vegas is the tip of the iceberg among the WNBA’s free agent class. More than 100 players who took the floor in the 2025 season are unrestricted free agents, creating potential player movement the likes of which this league has never seen.

Of course, a new collective bargaining agreement has to be signed before any transactions take place. But if and when that does happen, free agency will be a spectacle. Here is a look at the available players and what sort of movement to expect.

Group A: Not going anywhere

Technically, these players are free to move wherever they want, but it’s hard to imagine any looking for a new home at this point in their careers. Plus, most of them can still be cored (unless there is an asterisk next to their name) if their current teams want to force them to stick around. This list is mostly comprised of players on championship-contending rosters, but the two Los Angeles Sparks players also make the list because they seem to be committed to the rebuild in L.A.

Player	Team	Position	Years of service	Years with team
Napheesa Collier	Minnesota	F/C	7	7
Kahleah Copper	Phoenix	G/F	10	2
Dearica Hamby	Los Angeles	F/C	11	3
Allisha Gray	Atlanta	G/F	9	3
Chelsea Gray	Las Vegas	G	11	5
Sabrina Ionescu	New York	G	6	6
Kelsey Plum	Los Angeles	G	8	1
Breanna Stewart *	New York	F/C	9	3
Alyssa Thomas	Phoenix	G/F/C	12	1
A’ja Wilson	Las Vegas	F/C	8	8

Group B: Restricted free agents

Restricted free agents can sign a contract with any franchise, but the incumbent team has the right to match any offer, making it difficult to change teams. Players reach restricted free agency after four seasons in the WNBA, and the 2022 draft class was particularly deep, resulting in a strong pool of RFAs. The most plausible method of RFAs changing teams is via sign-and-trade, as we saw with DiJonai Carrington this past offseason, but a player would have to demand an exit. Shakira Austin is the lone potential All-Star on this list who seemed uncertain about her current franchise.

Player	Team	Position	Years of service	Years with team
Julie Allemand	Los Angeles	G/F	3	1
Shakira Austin	Washington	F/C	4	4
Kierstan Bell	Las Vegas	G/F	4	4
Veronica Burton	Golden State	G/F	4	1
Naz Hillmon	Atlanta	F	4	4
Rhyne Howard	Atlanta	G/F	4	4
Lexie Hull	Indiana	G/F	4	4
Olivia Nelson-Ododa	Connecticut	F/C	4	3
NaLyssa Smith	Las Vegas	F	4	1/2
Cecilia Zandalisini	Golden State	G/F	4	1

Group C: The big board

Now, let’s get to players who could reasonably end up on a new team. Under the rules of the current CBA, several of these players can still be cored (again, unless there is an asterisk next to the name), but as the previous offseason demonstrated, a player can still find herself a new home after getting the core designation, as Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kelsey Plum all did. Ending up on this list doesn’t mean that a player should leave her current team — for instance, Kelsey Mitchell staying with the Indiana Fever makes a ton of sense — but if she does, here are some potential new landing spots.

Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces

G/F, 28 years old, 7 years of service

2025 stats: 16.5 ppg, 5.1 apg, 4.5 rpg

There is no indication that Young wants to leave Las Vegas, but she changed agents last offseason and is now the only member of the Aces core (Wilson, Gray, Jewell Loyd and even coach Becky Hammon) who is not a Klutch Sports client. Could she be enticed by a team that wants to make her the No. 1 option like Plum was a year ago? Unlike Plum, the homecoming option doesn’t make much sense since the Fever already belong to Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. But any team would give a max contract to a two-way wing who gets better every year and consistently raises her level in the postseason.

Young changing teams still seems unlikely, as Aces president Nikki Fargas said, “There is no desire to do anything but do our best to make sure that we sign (Gray, Wilson and Young) back to the Aces organization.” Still, if Young moves, perhaps a reunion with one of her Aces assistants would make sense.

Potential fit: Golden State Valkyries or Chicago Sky

Jonquel Jones*, New York Liberty

F/C, 31 years old, 9 YOS, 3 with NYL

2025 stats: 13.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 42.4 3-pt%

A year ago, Jones was on a high as a finals MVP for the first time after three defeats in the championship series. But then came an inconsistent regular season, marred in part by injury, followed by a sub-par playoff showing in which she scored only 17 points in three games. It’s too early to write off the 2021 MVP just yet: Jones is still the archetype of a stretch five, the modern big who can play next to anyone. She loves the big market but might need a different system to once again maximize her talents. For what it’s worth, Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said he had the “utmost confidence” that she, Ionescu and Stewart will want to return next season.

Potential fit: Los Angeles Sparks

Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

G, 29 years old, 8 YOS

2025 stats: 20.2 ppg, 3.4 apg, 39.4 3-pt%

Mitchell had her best individual season and capped it with an outstanding postseason in her first extended playoff run. She remains a nightmare to deal with in the half court and made significant defensive gains under coach Stephanie White. Ideally, she continues to live out a redemption arc in Indiana, making good on all the equity she built during the Fever’s dark years. “The priority will be Kelsey Mitchell and making sure she remains in a Fever jersey,” general manager Amber Cox said at her exit interview.

If Mitchell seeks out a new opportunity, plenty of teams would benefit from her scoring prowess and speed.

Potential fit: Seattle Storm or Dallas Wings

Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury

F, 27 years old, 6 YOS, 1 year with PHX

2025 stats: 16.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.3 spg

Sabally continued her odd-year streak of making the All-Star team and remains maddeningly inconsistent. She is supremely talented and can do a little bit of everything on offense and defense, but she has a high variance night to night. If a coach can get a more stable version of Sabally, watch out.

Potential fit: Golden State Valkyries

Nneka Ogwumike*, Seattle Storm

F, 35 years old, 14 YOS, 2 years with SEA

2025 stats: 18.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 51.9 FG%

Unlike Sabally, Ogwumike is a metronome of consistency. An All-WNBA candidate for the fourth consecutive season, she is an efficient scorer at three levels and a capable defender at her position. But at her age, she cannot be the best player on a title contender. Plus, she is strictly a four and needs to play next to a true five. Still, the production is near-elite every night, and everyone in the league respects her and would want her as a teammate.

Potential fit: Indiana Fever or Atlanta Dream

Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings

G, 28 years old, 7 YOS

2025 stats: 15.5 ppg, 4.1 apg, 36.4 FG%

Ogunbowale has spent the first six years of her career in Dallas, guiding the Wings through continued coaching turnovers and little postseason success. Last year, the franchise appeared to center itself around 2025 No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers, and Ogunbowale had her worst year yet — scoring a career-low 15.5 points per game on 36.4 percent shooting. A new environment could potentially do her wonders, and create more postseason opportunities — she’s appeared in only seven playoff games.

Potential fit: Chicago Sky, Toronto Tempo or Portland Fire

Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx

G/F, 33 years old, 12 YOS, 5 years with MIN

2025 stats: 14.2 ppg, 3.5 apg, 39.5 3-pt%

Even though next season will be her 13th, McBride has arguably never been better. A 3-and-D wing who can guard the opponent’s best perimeter player and heat up in a hurry, McBride remains an ideal complementary player who was one possession away from being the second-best player on a WNBA champion in 2024. She needs to play next to a primary ballhandler but otherwise is an easy fit.

Potential fit: New York Liberty or Phoenix Mercury

Brionna Jones*, Atlanta Dream

F/C, 29 years old, 9 YOS, 1 year with ATL

2025 stats: 12.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 52.7 fg%

Jones joined the Dream last offseason in a consequential move for the franchise. Yet again, she made an All-Star team and she found herself on the cusp of the All-WNBA conversation as well. Jones is among the league’s most efficient players and is impactful on both ends due to her offensive rebounding, screen-setting and post production. There’s no reason to suggest Atlanta won’t prioritize bringing her back in free agency, but she’d also be a frontcourt upgrade for Dallas if she looked elsewhere.

Potential fit: Dallas Wings, Toronto Tempo or Portland Fire

Jewell Loyd*, Las Vegas Aces

G, 32 years old, 11 YOS, 1 year with LVA

2025 stats: 11.2 ppg, 1.8 apg, 38.9 fg%

This past summer, Loyd missed out on an All-Star Game for the first time since 2017. Yet by the end of the season, she proved to still be a key contributor on a successful team. Loyd’s 3-point shooting, on-ball defense and offensive rebounding — she hauled in multiple O-Boards in each of the Aces’ final five playoff games — were critical to Las Vegas’ title victory. A nominal reserve, Loyd played starters minutes down the stretch. She might not be the league’s best scorer anymore, but she can still add value in meaningful ways to winning situations

Potential fit: New York Liberty or Los Angeles Sparks

Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx

F/C, 29 years old, 7 YOS, 2 years with MIN

2025 stats: 9.6 ppg, 1.9 bpg, 1.3 spg

The 2025 co-Defensive Player of the Year has really come on over the last three seasons after struggling to start her WNBA career. She is now a feared rim protector with some stretch five capabilities, though she’s had only one season shooting above league-average from 3-point range. If her shooting can return to its 2024 levels (39.8 3-point percentage and 75 percent on free throws), she should be higher on this list. As it is, Smith is a defensive anchor who can fit next to any type of frontcourt partner.

Potential fit: Anywhere

Ariel Atkins, Chicago Sky

G/F, 29 years old, 8 YOS, 1 year with CHI

2025 stats: 13.1 ppg, 3.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 44.4 fg%

Atkins was the centerpiece of the Sky’s return in the trade which brought her from Washington to Chicago. Though Chicago struggled, Atkins still consistently produced for much of the season. She shot a career-high 44.4 percent from the field and remained an impact defender. Atkins was thrust into various backcourt roles, especially after Courtney Vandersloot’s injury. She can certainly help teams looking for a secondary ballhandler in a starting unit and a lead playmaker when playing alongside reserves.

Potential fit: Seattle Storm or Dallas Wings

Skylar Diggins*, Seattle Storm

G, 35 years old, 11 YOS, 2 years with SEA

2025 stats: 15.5 ppg, 6.0 apg, 1.2 spg

There is no denying Diggins’ productivity as a scorer, playmaker and point-of-attack defender. She even rediscovered her 3-point shot during her second season in Seattle. But at her age and given some of the locker room discord that has followed her throughout her career, it’s hard to find a great fit for Diggins in free agency, especially if she wants to compete for a title.

Potential fit: Golden State Valkyries

Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx

G, 31 years old, 10 YOS, 2 years with MIN

2025 stats: 13.6 ppg, 6.2 apg, 4.9 rpg, 42.7 fg%

Williams has had a late-career resurgence in Minnesota, making an All-Star team for the first time since 2021. Her 38.9 percent average from 3 was the third-highest mark of her career, and her ability to stretch defenses from the perimeter — and not just with her lethal mid-range jumper — helped Minnesota’s offense develop into the league’s top unit. Her assists per game were also a career-high, and she remains among the league’s most dangerous pick-and-roll guards.

Potential fit: Phoenix Mercury

Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm

F/C, 26 years old, 6 YOS

2025 stats: 8.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.2 bpg

It’s rare for a 26-year-old to hit unrestricted free agency, especially as a player who has made four All-Defense teams. But Magbegor and Dominique Malonga are somewhat duplicative, and Seattle’s choice between the two — if it comes to it — will be easy. Magbegor can instantly anchor an above-average defense. Her offense is a little limited, but in a simplified role, she can produce.

Potential fit: Los Angeles Sparks, Connecticut Sun or Washington Mystics

Azurá Stevens, Los Angeles Sparks

F, 29 years old, 8 YOS, 3 years with LAS

2025 stats: 12.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 38.1 3-pt%

Stevens was an offensive revelation in Los Angeles in coach Lynne Roberts’ system, becoming more efficient and aggressive inside the paint and from 3-point range. She was also miscast as a defensive center with the Sparks and could use a frontcourt partner who can defend fives so Stevens can play on the wing.

Potential fit: Phoenix Mercury or Indiana Fever

(Also keep an eye on: Bridget Carleton, Minnesota Lynx; DiJonai Carrington, Lynx; Natasha Cloud, New York Liberty; Marina Mabrey, Connecticut Sun; Jessica Shepard, Lynx; Brittney Sykes, Seattle Storm; Kayla Thornton, Golden State Valkyries; Gabby Williams, Storm)

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Los Angeles Sparks, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Indiana Fever, Dallas Wings, Las Vegas Aces, Phoenix Mercury, Golden State Valkyries, WNBA

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