The Phoenix Mercury took a big step in the second full season under general manager Nick U’Ren and now have another pivotal offseason.
U’Ren overhauled the roster last season as 20-year star Diana Taurasi retired and Brittney Griner left the Mercury following 11 seasons.
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The Mercury ended up dealing most of their roster to complete a blockbuster four-team trade that brought in all-stars Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally. The front office signed overseas free agents to fill out the roster.
The moves worked, as the Mercury reached the WNBA Finals before being swept by the Las Vegas Aces. But the foundation for a bright future was laid.
However, returning the entire Finals roster will be impossible for next season.
The offseason will be one of the most important in league history. The league’s newest franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will begin play in the 2026 season and will need to pluck players from other WNBA rosters to build their teams.
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The expansion drafts, draft lottery, and subsequent free agency period can only happen if a new collective bargaining agreement is completed. And the WNBA’s leadership and players both seem a long way from negotiating a new deal before the upcoming Oct. 31 deadline.
An extension could happen, but if there isn’t one and a deal isn’t made, a lockout may follow. That means players will not be able to access team facilities. There would be no draft lottery, expansion drafts, free agency, trades, WNBA draft, training camps or preseason until a new CBA is reached.
Who is signed to the Mercury for 2026?
As of now, only center Kalani Brown is signed for next season. Brown is one of the few veteran players who won’t be a free agent for 2026, which will make the offseason a wild ride.
Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper (2) celebrates after scoring against the Las Vegas Aces during the second quarter of game one of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena on Oct. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas.
However, Brown’s first season with the Mercury didn’t go smoothly. At 6-foot-7, Brown provided size that not many WNBA players had. The Mercury, in particular, needed help against bigger lineups, but coach Nate Tibbetts stuck to the eight-player rotation he established in August.
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Brown rarely saw the court in the postseason, but played 18 minutes in the final game against the Aces and received a loud ovation when she stepped onto the court.
The Mercury picked up at least two years of Brown’s three-year contract when she was traded from the Dallas Wings before the 2025 season. Her contract for 2026 will carry a $132,500 cap hit.
What about the rest of the team?
There are two types of free agents on the Mercury due to seniority rules. Players with at least 4 accrued seasons of service are unrestricted free agents (UFAs).
The UFAs can go to any team that they want and don’t need to be traded. The UFAs on the team are:
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Monique Akoa Makani #8 of the Phoenix Mercury shoots the ball against Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces in the fourth quarter of Game One of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Oct. 3, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Players with two or fewer seasons of service are exclusive rights free agents (ERFA). The ERFAs can be offered one-year league-minimum contracts to prevent them from talking to other teams. The ERFAs on the team are:
What have the players said?
Not many players have shared their thoughts on next season, especially given the uncertainty around the CBA and expansion drafts.
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) dribbles the ball against Las Vegas Aces guards Jewell Loyd (24) and Jackie Young (0) during the first quarter of Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena on Oct. 5, 2025, in Las Vegas.
However, the 38-year-old Bonner said that if she returns for her 17th season, she’ll make it her last because she doesn’t want to play at age 40. She didn’t say where she’d finish her career, but she’s said several times that returning to Phoenix is like coming home.
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When does free agency start?
Barring any setbacks, WNBA free agency is expected to start in the winter of 2026 and will likely be a wild ride. The league will have a staggering number of free agents. Many players avoided signing contracts past the 2025 season, aside from rookie-scale contracts, as a new CBA and possibly higher salaries are on the horizon.
Money is not the only thing on the negotiation table. A new CBA could impact free agency rules. As of now, here are the key free agency dates for last season, per the WNBA:
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January 11-20: All qualifying offers and core player designations delivered
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January 21: 2025 player Negotiating period begins
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January 21: Open to trade draft picks for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 drafts
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February 1: Player Contracts may be signed
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Mercury free agency explained for 2026 season
