Almost every play in WNBA is a free agent: Here are the top 25

The WNBA offseason will be transformative in more than one way.

As the WNBA and Women’s National Basketball Player’s Association (WNBPA) continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ahead of the looming Oct. 31 deadline, more than 100 WNBA players are set to become free agents in the winter of 2026. Yes, you read that correctly.

Advertisement

Many players avoided signing contracts past the 2025 season as a new CBA and possibly higher salaries are on the horizon. Other than those on rookie-scale contracts, only two players are signed through the 2025 season: Lexie Brown (Seattle Storm) and Kalani Brown (Phoenix Mercury). That means everyone else, including the league’s biggest stars in A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, are set to become free agents and can sign with the team of their choosing when free agency kicks off.

It’s worth noting that the expansion drafts for the WNBA’s newest franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, must take place before free agency can commence. Both are contingent on a new CBA being signed.

More: Collier says if WNBA players back down in CBA talks it would hurt women’s sports

The players have prioritized increased revenue sharing and salary structures amid CBA negotiations. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said WNBA players deserve a “big increase” in pay, but said “share isn’t the right way to look at it because there’s so much more revenue in the NBA.” The WNBPA denounced the league’s proposed “fixed salary system and a separate revenue-sharing plan that only includes a piece of a piece of the pie” in response, highlighting just how far apart both sides remain on a deal.

Advertisement

Barring any setbacks, WNBA free agency is expected to start in the winter of 2026. Here’s a look at some of the top free agents for the 2026 WNBA season, listed in order of average points scored in 2025:

• PTS: 23.4, REB: 10.2, AST: 3.1, STL: 1.6

Dominant isn’t a strong enough adjective to describe A’ja Wilson’s 2025 WNBA season. Wilson brought the Aces their third title in four years and became the first person in WNBA and NBA history to win MVP (her fourth), Defensive Player of the Year (third), Finals MVP (second) and a scoring title (second) in a single season. Wilson averaged 28.5 points and 11.7 rebounds in the 2025 WNBA Finals against the Mercury, including a 31-point performance to sweep the championship series in four games. Wilson makes any team an instant championship contender.

1 / 3

WNBA’s Most Valuable Player award winners over the years

2 / 3

WNBA’s Most Valuable Player award winners over the years

3 / 3

WNBA’s Most Valuable Player award winners over the years

• PTS: 22.9, REB: 7.3, AST: 3.2, STL: 1.6

Advertisement

Napheesa Collier finished as the runner-up in MVP voting for the second consecutive year after averaging career highs in points (22.9), field goal percentage (53.1%), free throw percentage (90.6%) and blocks (1.6). Collier joined Elena Delle Donne as the only players in the exclusive 50-40-90 club, shooting 50% from the field, 40% from 3 and 90% from the free throw line. Collier suffered a Grade 2 ligament tears in her left ankle after a collision with Alyssa Thomas in Game 3 of the WNBA playoff semifinals.

• PTS: 20.2, REB: 1.8, AST: 3.4, STL: 0.9

Kelsey Mitchell turned in the best season of her eight-year career while averaging 20.2 points. Mitchell shot 39.4% from the 3-point line and led the WNBA in 3-pointers with 111. Despite the Fever navigating a plethora of season-ending injuries, including Caitlin Clark being limited to 13 games, Mitchell led them to the franchise’s first playoff series win since 2015. She finished fifth in MVP voting and was named to the first-team All-WNBA for the first time in her career.

Kelsey Plum, G, Los Angeles Sparks

• PTS: 19.5, REB: 3.1, AST: 5.7, STL: 1.2

Advertisement

Kelsey Plum asked out of Las Vegas after seven seasons because she believed her potential to grow as a leader was capped. She was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks and named an All-Star while improving her scoring average from 17.8 to 19.5 points per game this season. She led the league in overall minutes (1,508) and minutes per game (35.1) and turned in career-highs in rebounds (3.1), assists (5.7) and steals (1.2).

• PTS: 18.4, REB: 7.9, AST: 3.3, STL: 1.6

Dearica Hamby had the best offensive season of her 11-year career in 2025, recording a career-high in points per game (18.4), in addition to field-goal percentage (57.2%) and starts (44). Her 811 regular season points was the fourth highest in the league and bested her previous high in 2024 by 120 points. The Sparks missed the playoffs, but Hamby finished ninth in MVP voting. One area that could use some improvement is Hamby’s free throw percentage. She shot 62.7% from the charity stripe last season, down from her career average of 66.3%.

• PTS: 18.4, REB: 5.3, AST: 3.5, STL: 1.1

Advertisement

The Atlanta Dream reached 30 wins for the first time in franchise history, thanks in no small part to Allisha Gray. The guard who led the Dream in scoring with a career-high 18.4 points per game. Gray picked up her third consecutive All-Start bid and was named first-team All-WNBA for the first time in her career. Gray finished fourth in MVP voting and third in Most Improved Player voting. The Dream’s historic season came to an abrupt end when they were ousted by the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs despite a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double from Gray in the decisive Game 3 loss.

• PTS: 18.3, REB: 6.5, AST: 3.5, STL: 1.4

Coming off a 2024 WNBA championship, Breanna Stewart was that limited to 31 games. She missed 13 regular-season games with a bone bruise on her right knee. She also suffered a MCL sprain in her left knee in the first round of 2025 WNBA playoffs, an injury she ultimately played through. However, the Liberty were ousted by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round. Stewart averaged 18.3 points per game this season, her lowest output since her rookie campaign in 2016.

• PTS: 18.3, REB: 7.0, AST: 2.3, STL: 1.1

Advertisement

Nneka Ogwumike was named to the All-WNBA second-team for the third consecutive season after averaging 18.3 points per game. She did so in efficient fashion shooting 51.9% from the field, slightly down from her career-average of 53.9%. Ogwumike earned her 10th All-Star nod, becoming only the fifth player in WNBA history to achieve that milestone. The 14-year veteran also became the sixth WNBA player to reach 7,000 career points and the first to do so shooting at least 50% from the field. At 35, she shows no sign of slowing down.

• PTS: 18.2, REB: 4.9, AST: 5.7, STL: 1.3

Sabrina Ionescu was selected as an All-Star for the fourth consecutive year after ranking 10th in the league in scoring (18.2 ppg). Although Ionescu’s 3-point percentage dipped to the lowest mark in her six-year career (29.9%), she still ranked ninth in the league in total 3-pointers made (81) and led the league in free throw percentage (93.3%). Ionescu also added 4.9 rebounds and a career-high 1.3 steals to her stat line. Her efforts earned Ionescu her fourth consecutive second-team All-WNBA nod.

• PTS: 17.5, REB: 4.5, AST: 4.6, STL: 1.5

Advertisement

Rhyne Howard tied her career-high with 17.5 points per game last season, earning her third WNBA All-Star nod in four seasons. Despite missing 10 games with a left knee injury, Howard led the league in 3-pointers made per game (3.1) and finished third overall in 3-pointers made (102). Howard became the first player in WNBA history to record six threes and six blocks in a single game. Howard was named to the All-Defensive second team.

• PTS: 16.5, REB: 4.5, AST: 5.1, STL: 1.3

Jackie Young’s resume is filling up. The 2022 Most Improved Player was key to the Aces winning their third championship in four years, dropping a game-high 32 points and eight rebounds in Game 2 of the WNBA Finals. She also picked up her fourth consecutive All-Star nod and was named second-team All-WNBA. Young finished eighth in the league in field goals made (260), 12th in scoring (16.5 ppg) and 13th in assists (5.1). Her 16.5 points per game marks the second-highest of her career.

• PTS: 16.3, REB: 5.9, AST: 2.5, STL: 1.3

Advertisement

There were questions marks about the Phoenix Mercury heading into the 2025 season following the retirement of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner’s trade. But the arrival of Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas in Phoenix formed a new Big 3 alongside Kahleah Copper. That trio led the Mercury to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021. Sabally led the Mercury in scoring during the regular season (16.3 ppg) and upped her average to a team-high 19.0 points in the postseason. She earned her third All-Star nod.

• PTS: 16.3, REB: 5.8, AST: 1.7, STL: 0.8

Tina Charles is the second all-time leading scorer in the WNBA (8,396 points), trailing only Diana Taurasi (10,646). At 36, Charles led the Sun in scoring (16.3) and reached double digits in 35 of 43 games. The 2010 Rookie of the Year and 2012 MVP also recorded seven double-doubles last season, extending her WNBA career record (201). Charles was a bright spot in the Connecticut Sun’s otherwise bleak 11-33 season.

• PTS 15.6, REB 2.9, AST: 1.5, STL: 1.1

Advertisement

Kahleah Copper was one of two players to return to the Mercury in 2025 and formed a Big 3 alongside Satou Sabbaly and Alyssa Thomas. Copper averaged 15.6 points per game, the second-highest on her team, in addition to 2.9 rebound and 1.5 assists. Copper improved her 3-point percentage from 31.4% in 2024 to 37.7% this season. She upped her scoring average to 17.8 in the Mercury’s postseason run to the WNBA Finals.

• PTS: 15.5, REB: 2.5, AST: 4.1, STL: 1.3

Arike Ogunbowale is looking to bounce back from a particularly rough season. She was limited to 29 games because to tendinitis in her right knee and a thumb injury, marking her fewest appearances since the shortened 2020 bubble season. Ogunbowale recorded a career-low in points per game (15.5), field-goal percentage (36.4%) and 3-point percentage (30.4%). The Wings finished the regular season with a 10-34 record, tied with the Chicago Sky for the worst in the league.

• PTS: 15.5, REB: 2.5, AST: 6.0, STL: 1.2

Advertisement

Skylar Diggins led the Storm in assists per game (6.0), the fifth most in the league, and her 258 total assists ranked fourth in the league. She added 15.5 points per game and 2.5 rebounds to her stat line. Diggins increased her 3-point percentage from 29.1% in 2024 to 36.5% last season and her 62 made 3-pointers marks a career high. Diggins earned a WNBA All-Star nod, her first since 2022 and seventh overall.

• PTS: 15.4, REB: 8.8, AST: 9.2, STL: 1.6

Alyssa Thomas is a triple-double machine. In her first season with the Mercury, Thomas set a WNBA regular-season record with eight triple-doubles. (The rest of the league had seven triple-doubles combined.) Thomas added two more triple-doubles in the Mercury’s postseason run to the WNBA Finals. Thomas led the league in assists per game (9.2) and total assists (357), a single-season record for the Mercury. Her 8.8 rebounds per game ranked third in the league and 344 total rebounds were a Mercury single-season record. Thomas finished third in MVP voting and was named to first-team All-WNBA and All-Defensive team.

• PTS: 14.4, REB: 4.2, AST: 4.0, STL: 0.7

Advertisement

Marina Mabrey missed nine games last season due to a left knee injury, yet led the Sun in assists with 4.0 per game. Her field goal percentage dipped to 36.7%, her lowest mark since her rookie year. Mabrey’s 14.4 points per game were the second-highest average of her career and second-best on the Sun. Mabrey’s trade request out of Connecticut was denied ahead of the 2025 season, but the free agent will now to decide where she wants to play.

• PTS: 14.2, REB: 2.3, AST: 3.5, STL: 1.3

Kayla McBride was named to her fifth All-Star team and helped the Minnesota Lynx achieve a league-best 34-10 record. McBride averaged 14.2 points per game, second best on the team, and tied her career-high with 3.5 assists. McBride’s 103 made 3-pointers ranked second in the league and she became the first player in WNBA history to knock down eight 3s on perfect 100% FG.

• PTS: 14.1, REB: 3.2, AST: 4.0, STL: 1.2

Advertisement

Brittney Sykes started the season with the Washington Mystics and earned the first All-Star nod of her nine-year career after averaging 15.4 points in 25 games. Sykes was then dealt to the Seattle Storm in August, where she averaged 11.8 points in 14 games. Her 4.0 assists per game marked a career high and her 171 made free throws ranked fourth in the league.

• PTS: 14.0, REB: 7.0, AST: 1.5, STL: 1.3

Kayla Thornton was in midst of a storybook season with the Valkyries before she got injured. After being selected in the expansion draft, Thornton went from a role player on the Liberty to the No. 1 option for the Valkyries. She averaged a career-high 14 points per game, besting her previous high of 10.4 points. She also set career-highs in rebounds (7) and steals (1.3), leading the Valkyries in all three categories. The 10-year veteran earned her first All-Star nod, becoming the first player to be named an All-Star as a member of a first-year team since 2006. Thornton was ruled out the remainder of the season with a right knee injury suffered in practice in July.

• PTS: 13.6, REB: 8.1, AST: 2.7, STL: 0.5

Advertisement

Injuries were the main storyline surrounding the New York Liberty and Jonquel Jones was not exempt. Jones was limited to 31 games last season due to a right ankle injury. The 2021 MVP averaged 13.6 points per game, 8.1 rebounds (seventh highest in the league) and 2.7 assists. Jones finished the season with 12 double-doubles, which ranked seventh in the league. Following the Liberty’s first round playoff ousting, Jones underwent surgery on her right ankle.

• PTS: 13.6, REB: 4.9, AST: 6.2, STL: 1.3

Courtney Williams, one half of the Stud Budz, ranked second in the league in total assists (271) and third in assists per game (6.2). The midrange maestro averaged 13.6 points per game, her highest mark since 2021, and upped her 3-point average from 33.3% in 2024 to 38.9% last season. Her 58 made 3-pointers marked a career-high and she was named to her second All-Star team.

• PTS: 13.4, REB: 5.1, AST: 3.2, STL: 1.2

Advertisement

The 2019 WNBA Finals MVP, Emma Meesseman last played in the league in 2022 season for the Chicago Sky before becoming a midseason addition to the New York Liberty. She averaged 13.4 points, her highest mark since 2017, in addition to 5.1 rebounds in 17 games in New York. Meesseman, who led the Washington Mystics to the WNBA championship in 2019, will have a spot in the W if she opts to return.

• PTS: 13.1, REB: 3.4, AST: 3.6, STL: 1.6

Ariel Atkins missed 10 game last season due to leg and back injuries, but she averaged 13.1 points per game shooting a career-high 44.4% from the field. Atkins led the Sky in both assists per game (3.6) and steals (1.6) and rounded out her stat line with 3.4 rebounds.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Advertisement

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who are the top 25 WNBA free agents for 2026?