The new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is almost official.
On Monday, the WNBPA ratified the agreement with unanimous approval as over 90 percent of players participated in the vote. Next up is ratification from the WNBA board of governors.
Nevertheless, official or not, the arrival of a new CBA is an opportunity for WNBA fans to eagerly don their fantasy
general manager hats.
And, understandably so.
With almost all of the league’s veterans entering unrestricted free agency, on top the arrival of two more expansion teams, plus a $7 million salary cap, $1.4 million supermax, almost $600,000 average player salary and $300,000 veteran minimum salary, there’s plenty of spicy scenario-planning to engage in.
As you begin to construct your ideal roster for all 15 teams, we’ve done our best to provide an overview of where teams and players stand before the expansion draft, estimated to be held on April 6, free agency, forecasted to begin on April 7 and extend through April 18, and the college draft, which is firmly scheduled for April 13.
Teams now will be required to roster at least 12 players. The new CBA also is introducing developmental players, although the stipulations surrounding these two roster spots have yet to be disclosed.
Below, every team’s players are identified by the free agency status: unrestricted, restricted and reserved.
Remember, unrestricted free agents can negotiate a new contract with any team, unless they are cored by their current team. A restricted free agent can sign a contract offer sheet with another team, but their current team has the right to match. A reserved player must negotiate a new contract with their current team. If a team does not present a qualifying offer to a restricted free agent or reserved player, they become an unrestricted free agent, freeing them to negotiate a new contract with any team.
An interesting thing to monitor will be whether unrestricted free agents prioritize maximizing their earning power or signing with a team that aligns with non-financial preferences, from the opportunity to contend for a championship to a situation with a more desired role to perceived roster fit or team location.
Players, of course, can decide what’s most important to them.
How many free agents will sign with whichever team offers them the biggest bag? Can free agents, by threatening to seek a bigger payday with another team, successfully induce their current team into increasing their contract offer? Will players seek longer- or shorter-term deals? What deal lengths will teams prefer? Which franchises will look to lock up players under longer contracts? Will some teams seek to go bigger with shorter deals?
Players that remain on a team’s roster, primarily those on rookie contracts, are also identified below. These players are in line for a raise, boosting them to at least the new minimum salary of $270,000.
Players that a team holds rights to, whether because they were under contract with the team when they last played in the WNBA or were drafted by the team but have yet to sign a WNBA contract, also are listed, as these players can be selected in the expansion draft. Teams’ picks in the 2026 WNBA Draft likewise are noted. Drafted rookies could occupy roster spots, plus a not-insignificant salary slot. The No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft is slated for a $500,000 deal; how the salary scale decreases after the top pick is not yet known. Picks, of course, also can be exchanged in trades that occur during the free agency period.
However, there are still some significant unknowns that will influence team-decisions.
How will draft lottery odds be calculated? Will they still be based on a team’s two-year record? Will the arrival of two more teams, expanding the league-wide roster spots to 180, plus developmental players, increase the value of non-lottery draft picks as a trade assets?
All the rules for the expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo also have yet to be clarified.
Based on the rules of the 2024 expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries, teams will protect six players, including impending free agents. ESPN, however, has projected just five protected players. The expansion teams are expected to be able to select one unrestricted free agent. Players that have been cored twice are ineligible to be drafted by the expansion teams. They are identified below with a *.
Despite lingering questions, there’s more than enough info to begin scheming and dreaming.
So, spill all your best-laid player movement and team building plans in the comments.
Atlanta Dream
- Unrestricted free agents: Brittney Griner*, Brionna Jones*, Jordin Canada*, Allisha Gray, Nia Coffey, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
- Restricted free agents: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
- Reserved players: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné
- On roster: Te-Hina Paopao, Taylor Thierry
- Rights held: Isoebl Borlase, Maite Carzorla, Lorela Cubaj, Nyadiew Puoch, Holly Winterburn, Matilde Villa
- 2026 draft picks: No. 13, No. 28, No. 43
Atlanta is in prime position to retain their most important players. Expect Allisha Gray to be cored and signed to the big deal she deserves. The organization should also happily ink Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon to well-earned contracts. That neither Brionna Jones or Jordin Canada is eligible to be plucked in the expansion draft removes a potential stressor; however, figuring out the finances on new contracts for those two could require some negotiation. Alternatively, the Dream could also choose to chase bigger name free agents.
Chicago Sky
- Unrestricted free agents: Ariel Atkins, Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse, Michaela Onyenwere, Elizabeth Williams, Rachel Banham
- Reserved player: Sevgi Uzun
- On roster: Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld
- Rights held: Ajša Sivka, Aicha Coulibaly
- 2026 draft picks: No. 5, No. 17, No. 26, No. 32
The seemingly unsettled relationship between the organization and Angel Reese clouds the Sky’s offseason. So does the team’s recent misevaluation of players and mismanagement of assets, as overpays in trades to build ill-fitting rosters has left a Sky organization, which should be soaring around Reese’s stardom, in a rut. Chicago would be wise NOT to try to escape this situation by overpaying a perceived star in free agency, essentially redoubling down on bad process. A commitment to a slower, sustainable build should be the plan.
Connecticut Sun
- Unrestricted free agents: Marina Mabrey, Tina Charles*, Lindsay Allen, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Bria Hartley
- Restricted free agent: Haley Peters
- Reserved players: Mamignan Touré, Nikolina Milić
- On roster: Aneesah Morrow, Saniya Rivers, Aaliyah Edwards, Leïla Lacan, Rayah Marshall
- 2026 draft picks: No. 12, No. 15, No. 18, No. 33
Might Marina Mabrey go from a trade demand to a Sun lifer? It will be interesting to see how the organization navigates building a roster for the upcoming season, especially as a potential ownership change and possible relocation looms. Will the team run it back, keeping trusted vets to support the young, hopefully-rising stars? Will the team usher in a more complete youth movement, stacking the roster full of players with upside? Since the Sun own their 2027 first-round draft pick, wins might not be the foremost priority in what possibly could be the team’s last season in Uncasville.
Dallas Wings
- Unrestricted free agents: Arike Ogunbowale, Myisha Hines-Allen, Ty Harris
- Reserved players: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Haley Jones, Grace Berger
- On roster: Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist, Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly
- Rights held: Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Awak Kuier
- 2026 draft picks: No. 1, No. 31
All eyes are on Arike Ogunbowale. Is she looking to stay in Dallas, and, more pertinently, is she looking for Dallas to give her a high-dollar contract to stay in Dallas? And, what are the Wings willing to pay her? Also, the Wings could see another high-impact player depart Dallas, an unfortunate trend for the team, as the expansion draft protection rules likely will result in an intriguing talent left up for grabs for Portland or Toronto. The No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, however, will help ease that sting.
Golden State Valkyries
- Unrestricted free agents: Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, Monique Billings, Temi Fagbénlé
- Restricted free agents: Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini
- Reserved players: Janelle Salaün, Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Iliana Rupert
- On roster: Carla Leite, Kate Martin
- Rights held: Maria Conde, Justē Jocytē
- 2026 draft picks: No. 8, No. 23, No. 38
After an impressive expansion season, a byproduct of maximizing previously underrated or underutilized players, plus top-notch coaching, it’s easy to trust Golden State, led by general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach Natalie Nakase, to make the right decisions about who to protect in the expansion draft, who to prioritize in free agency and how much to pay them. Inking Veronica Burton to a generous deal likely will be the first order of business in the Bay.
Indiana Fever
- Unrestricted free agents: Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard*, Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, Sydney Colson, Brianna Turner, Aari McDonald
- Restricted free agent: Lexie Hull
- Reserved player: Chloe Bibby
- On roster: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Makayla Timpson
- Rights held: Kristy Wallace
- 2026 draft picks: No. 10, No. 25, No. 40
The new rookie max provision, which will allow players who are going into their fourth year and who have made an All-WNBA team to sign an early max contract, will doubly impact the Fever, as both Aliyah Boston, eligible now, and Caitlin Clark, eligible in 2027, will be boosted to higher salaries. That complicates team building, especially since Kelsey Mitchell should be in the supermax conversation. Having three players worthy of high-dollar deals is a good problem, but it could decrease the quality of the Fever’s depth.
Las Vegas Aces
- Unrestricted free agents: A’ja Wilson, Jewell Loyd*, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kiah Stokes, Megan Gustafson, Dana Evans, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus
- Restricted free agents: NaLyssa Smith, Kierstan Bell
- On roster: Aaliyah Nye
- 2026 draft picks: No. 29, No. 44
A’ja, deservedly, is getting the biggest bag possible. Who else is Vegas going to pay, and how much? Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray are no-brainers; Young is an All-WNBA fixture, while Gray has an unmatched ability to meet the biggest moments. Jewell Loyd’s future is one to watch. While she clearly appreciated joining the Aces, even amongst a very uneven 2025 season, how much of a perceived discount is she willing to take to stay in Vegas? Whatever the decision is with Loyd, depth, already an issue for the Aces, profiles a problem that will persist for a team with multiple high earners.
Los Angeles Sparks
- Unrestricted free agents: Dearica Hamby, Kelsey Plum, Azurá Stevens, Emma Cannon
- Restricted free agent: Julie Allemand
- Reserved players: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
- On roster: Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Sania Feagin
- 2026 draft picks: No. 20, No. 24, No. 35
Do the Sparks also have to pay Kelsey Plum’s AI twin? If so, managing the salary cap becomes even more challenging.
Determined the staunch the team’s playoff drought, both Plum and Dearica Hamby seem sure to return on lucrative deals, even if the team could use this moment to fully pivot into their young core. Let Plum and and Hamby walk, give the likes of Cam Brink, Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell the space to grow their games and hope that the lottery gods bless the purple and gold with the local gal in the 2027 WNBA draft. However, trying to lure another vet to join Plum and Hamby seems the more likely, and maybe safer and smarter, path.
Minnesota Lynx
- Unrestricted free agents: Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Natisha Hiedeman, Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard
- Reserved players: Maria Kliundikova, Jaylyn Sherrod, Camryn Taylor
- On roster: Dorka Juhász, Anatasiia Kosu
- Rights held: Maia Hirsch, Aubrey Griffin
- 2026 draft picks: No. 2, No. 45
It would be surprising if Napheesa Collier doesn’t sign a supermax, even if furnishing a huge deal to a player coming off double-ankle surgery has to make any franchise a bit nervous. After Collier, it will be interesting to see how Minnesota navigates negotiating contracts with their deep, veteran core. Keeping together a team in championship-now mode projects to be difficult, especially as a players in or approaching their 30s shouldn’t be expected to take team-friendly deals.
New York Liberty
- Unrestricted free agents: Breanna Stewart*, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones*, Natasha Cloud, Kennedy Burke, Isabelle Harrison, Emma Meesseman, Stephanie Talbot
- Reserved players: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
- On roster: Nyara Sabally, Leonie Fiebich
- Rights held: Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Annika Soltau, Raquel Carrera, Seehia Ridard, Adja Kane, Marine Fauthoux, Han Xu
- 2026 draft picks: No. 41
It’s assumed that a supermax is on the way for Breanna Stewart. What kind of money is offered to Sabrina Ionescue and Jonquel Jones, and whether or not those offers meet the expectations of two players who likely see themselves as having max resumes, certainly inspires intrigue, as those negotiations could significantly determine the Liberty’s title chances. From there, New York still needs to make room for Natasha Cloud and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, while knowing that Leonie Fiebich will be in line for a bigger deal in 2027. New York, almost immediately, will test the viability top-heavy-but-deep super teams under the new CBA.
Phoenix Mercury
- Unrestricted free agents: Kahleah Copper*, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Sami Whitcomb, DeWanna Bonner*
- Reserved players: Natasha Mack, Kitja Laksa, Monique Akoa Makani, Lexi Held, Kathryn Westbeld, Kiana Williams
- On roster: Kalani Brown
- Rights held: Helena Pueyo, Julia Ayrault, Klara Lundquist
- 2026 draft picks: No. 27, No. 42
The Mercury successfully micowaved a contender last season, luring Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to the desert to join Kahleah Copper, with their instant experiment endinf in the WNBA Finals. What’s the plan for the encore? How committed is the team to an AT-centric team, with all the defined strengths and weakness she brings, plus her advancing basketball age? Phoenix’s ability to find and optimize overlooked talent should continue to be an advantage under this new CBA, especially if they decide to dole out multiple star-level contracts.
Seattle Storm
- Unrestricted free agents: Gabby Williams, Skylar Diggins*, Nneka Ogwumike*, Brittney Sykes, Ezi Magbegor, Katie Lou Samuelson, Erica Wheeler, Tiffany Mitchell
- Reserved players: Mackenzie Holmes, Zia Cooke
- On roster: Lexie Brown, Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, Nika Mühl
- 2026 draft picks: No. 3, No. 14, No. 16, No. 39
After steadily steering the WNBPA through CBA negotiations, and holding firm for a deal that massively benefits all players, will Nneka Ogwumike get to enjoy the fruits of her labor from her current team? Or, will Seattle, with a No. 3 pick on the way to pair with Dominique Malonga, prioritize a younger roster with a longer timeline? If that’s the plan, a spot, especially at a salary approaching the supermax, for Ogwumike and fellow mid-30s star Skylar Diggins might not be there. Retaining Gabby Williams and Ezi Magbegor might be the bigger priorities for the Storm.
Washington Mystics
- Unrestricted free agents: Alysha Clark, Stefanie Dolson, Jade Melbourne
- Restricted free agent: Shakira Austin
- Reserved players: Emily Engstler, Madison Scott
- On roster: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Georgia Amoore, Jacy Sheldon, Lucy Olsen
- Rights held: Bernadett Határ, Nastja Classens, Txell Alarcon
- 2026 draft picks: No. 4, No. 9, No. 11, No. 19, No. 30, No. 34
Last season, the Washington brass chose to short circuit a potential playoff push, trading Brittney Sykes for more draft capital. With three first-round picks in the 2026 draft, it seems likely the Mystics will continue to pursue a slow, sustainable build, not minding if the season produces more lottery balls than wins—even though rising sophomore stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen appear ready to win sooner than later. While it would be surprising if the franchise chased any prominent free agents, it will be interesting to see the decision they make on Shakira Austin, something Beckett Harrison analyzed in detail awhile back.
What do you think? What do you want to happen? What might actually happen?
Which teams face the toughest decisions? Which are well-situated to build a sustainable winner? What franchises should be future-focused?
On the player front, who is going to get the kind of contract they believe they deserve? Who might end up a bit disappointed? What players do you want to see team up? Who is an underrated free agent whose decision interests you?
