The 2025 WNBA trade deadline looms on Aug. 7, and we’ve decided to go through the league and find some options for possible trades until that deadline.
While some contenders like the New York Liberty, Indiana Fever and Seattle Storm don’t make our list, teams like the Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury and Golden State Valkyries add key pieces ahead of this year’s deadline.
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Our major disclaimer: WNBA trades are harder to pull off than NBA trades, particularly with the looming CBA. This might lead to this being a quiet trade deadline, but we’re going to do some imagining anyhow.
This all might just be moot, but we’ll have some fun and do some hypotheticals for the heck of it.
Wings G Arike Ogunbowale to the Lynx
Jun 27, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Fever at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Lynx are one of the clearest title contenders this summer, but they could use another hot hand on offense to withstand some of the best scoring teams they’ll see in the playoffs. If Minnesota wants to push in all the chips, they could send a queen’s ransom to Dallas to secure Ogunbowale for the rest of the season. She would instantly set the Lynx up to score in bunches from beyond the arc right away. The team could use one more guard who can score 3-pointers with ease, and it could send a good young forward in Diamond Miller and a first-round pick back to Dallas.
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POSSIBLE TRADE: Ogunbowale to the Wings for Miller, a 2026 third-round pick a 2027 first-round pick
Mystics F Aaliyah Edwards to the Valkyries
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 26: Aaliyah Edwards #24 of the Washington Mystics shoots a free throw against the Las Vegas Aces in the third quarter of their game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on June 26, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Mystics defeated the Aces 94-83. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
After the Valkyries lost forward Kayla Thornton for the season, the team now has a clear need at forward. Edwards could settle into a more long-term role in Golden State, a team that will need young players on rookie deals with free agency looming for some of its best players in 2026. The Valkyries are starting to fade down the stretch, but adding Edwards would give the team a bit of a jolt now and a good building block for later. Forward Cecilia Zandalasini could be an intriguing fit for Washington to come off the bench and replace Edwards’ minutes in the rotation.
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POSSIBLE TRADE: Edwards to Golden State for Zandalasinia, 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick
Sky G Rachel Banham to the Dream
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Fever during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Few teams in the WNBA love to shoot the 3-pointer like the Dream, and Banham coming off the bench for Atlanta could cement it as one of the best contenders in the league. She would be an outstanding option for a Dream team that could thrive with more options in the rotation to score from beyond the arc. Chicago needs young talent, so Dream guard Maya Caldwell and forward Taylor Thierry could get real minutes with the Sky as part of the trade.
POSSIBLE TRADE: Banham to Atlanta for Caldwell, Thierry and a 2026 second-round pick
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Sun G Marina Mabrey to the Mercury
Oct 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey (4) reacts during the first half of game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Mercury are trying to push for a title, and Mabrey could instantly elevate those chances. Phoenix could put together a compelling trade package for Connecticut, one featuring guard Lexi Held, forward Natasha Mack and a 2026 second-round draft pick. Phoenix could throw a 2027 pick in the mix as well to get a deal done, and Mabrey could arrive in Phoenix as a valuable depth option that can hit 3-pointers and give the team more of an edge.
POSSIBLE TRADE: Mabrey to Phoenix for Held, Mack, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 second-round pick
Sky G Rebecca Allen to the Mystics
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Rebecca Allen (9) drives to the basket against the Indiana Fever during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Mystics could use another veteran guard coming off the bench for their playoff push, and Allen could absolutely provide that. Chicago could add a young guard in Lucy Olsen to the roster, and Washington could try Allen out for the rest of the season coming off the bench and potentially re-sign her as a free agent next offseason. A player-for-player swap makes sense here, as Olsen’s overall potential matches Allen’s instant and possibly long-term impact.
POTENTIAL TRADE: Allen to Washington for Olsen
This article originally appeared on For The Win: WNBA trades we’d love to see ahead of the 2025 deadline
