The list of 2026 WNBA free agents is incredibly long. That’s intentional; players have long known that the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement was expiring this summer, and as such, many opted to align their contracts with the 2026 offseason.
But, there are some exceptions to this: WNBA players drafted in the past three seasons. Those players signed multi-year deals, and remain under contract heading into next season.
Advertisement
That list includes lots of rising stars, including Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston, Fever guard Caitlin Clark, Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers, Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese, and several others.
But the overwhelming majority of the league will enter free agency this offseason. For some, that will mean genuinely exploring options and likely leaving their current team. For others, free agency is expected to be more of a formality, and they’re much more likely to re-sign with their 2025 club.
Players are either unrestricted free agents, meaning that they are free to negotiate and sign with any team. Players with five years of service are eligible to become unrestricted free agents.
Restricted free agents are players with four years of service whose contracts are up; if teams don’t extend these players a qualifying offer, they’ll become unrestricted free agents. If they do, their original team can match any offer the player receives in the open market.
Advertisement
Reserved players are players with three years of service; they can’t negotiate with other teams unless their prior team doesn’t extend them a qualifying offer. If their team does extend them a qualifying offer, they can match any other offer they can get on the open market.
Here’s every team’s full list of free agents — and likely top free agency priority this offseason.
Las Vegas Aces — A’ja Wilson
Unrestricted free agents: Dana Evans, Chelsea Gray, Megan Gustafson, Jewell Loyd, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Kiah Stokes, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young
Restricted free agents: Kierstan Bell, NaLyssa Smith
Advertisement
Phoenix Mercury — Alyssa Thomas
Unrestricted free agents: Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Sami Whitcomb, DeWanna Bonner
Reserved players: Natasha Mack, Kitija Laksa, Lexi Held, Monique Akoa Makani, Kathryn Westbeld
Indiana Fever — Kelsey Mitchell
Unrestricted free agents: Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, Sydney Colson, Brianna Turner, Aari McDonald, Odyssey Sims
Restricted free agents: Lexie Hull
Reserved players: Chloe Bibby
Minnesota Lynx — Napheesa Collier
Unrestricted free agents: Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard
Advertisement
Reserved players: Maria Kliundikova, Jaylyn Sherrod, Camryn Taylor
New York Liberty — Breanna Stewart
Unrestricted free agents: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, Kennedy Burke, Isabelle Harrison, Emma Meesseman, Stephanie Talbot
Reserved players: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannes
Seattle Storm — Nneka Ogwumike
Unrestricted free agents: Skylar Diggins, Ezi Magbegor, Tiffany Mitchell, Nneka Ogwumike, Katie Lou Samuelson, Brittney Sykes, Erica Wheeler, Gabby Williams
Reserved players: Zia Cooke, Mackenzie Holmes
Atlanta Dream — Allisha Gray
Unrestricted free agents: Brittney Griner, Brionna Jones, Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Nia Coffey, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Advertisement
Restricted free agents: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
Reserved players: Maya Caldwell
Golden State Valkyries — Veronica Burton
Unrestricted free agents: Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, Monique Billings, Temi Fagbenle, Kaila Charles
Restricted free agents: Cecilia Zandalasini, Veronica Burton
Reserved players: Kaitlyn Chen, Janelle Salaun, Iliana Rupert, Laeticia Amihere
Los Angeles Sparks — Kelsey Plum
Unrestricted free agents: Emma Cannon, Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Azura Stevens
Restricted free agents: Julie Allemand
Reserved players: Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
Washington Mystics — Shakira Austin
Unrestricted free agents: Shakira Austin, Alysha Clark, Stefanie Dolson
Advertisement
Restricted players: Sug Sutton
Reserved players: Emily Engstler, Jade Melbourne, Madison Scott
Connecticut Sun — Marina Mabrey
Unrestricted free agents: Lindsay Allen, Tina Charles, Bria Hartley, Marina Mabrey
Restricted free agents: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Haley Peters
Reserved players: Mamignan Toure
Chicago Sky — Ariel Atkins
Unrestricted free agents: Rebecca Allen, Ariel Atkins, Rachel Banham, Kia Nurse, Michaela Onyenwere, Courtney Vandersloot, Elizabeth Williams
Reserved players: Sevgi Uzun
Dallas Wings — Arike Ogunbowale
Unrestricted free agents: Tyasha Harris, Myisha Hines-Allen, Arike Ogunbowale
Reserved players: Grace Berger, Luisa Geiselsoder, Li Yueru, Haley Jones
