Apr 07, 2026
3 min read
Will expansion groups tank?Angel Reese-com What's next for the Chicago Sky?Jonquel Jones in Valkyries?
After all the anticipation, free agency is finally here.And it's going to be brutal.
Teams have already begun expanding qualifying offers and announcing key players.They also decide which rights should be reserved for non-signed players.They can officially communicate with free agents starting Wednesday, a crucial three-day period before signings begin on Saturday.
To prepare as much as possible for the chaos to come, we went through the top free agents and analyzed the possibility of them moving.Now we'll look at free agency from the opposite angle, with a question for each of the 15 teams in the standings from the 2025 season.
Can they bring him back?
Kayla McBride cries on stage after Minnesota's 2025 season came early in the WNBA semifinals because she said she knows this team will never look like this again.The Lynx have already lost Bridget Carleton and Maria Kliundikova in the expansion draft.Is it enough to make cosmetic changes around McBride, Alanna Smith and Napheesa Collier — who could miss the first part of the season as they recover from ankle surgery — or should Minnesota try something more ambitious after falling in two straight seasons?
Las Vegas Aces
Who is willing to take a pay cut?
A'ja Wilson will get a supermax contract.Jackie Young deserves one, as does Chelsea Grey.Jewell Loyd can also ask for the same amount.The Aces can't give four players 80 percent of their cap.Even if three more than Wilson signed a regular max contract, that would still account for 71% of the cap, requiring every player to sign at least.Either the Stars will settle for less or the Aces will seek a trade deal during free agency.
How does he fit into the forward zone?
The Rays likely didn't get Angelo Reyes as a backup, not after giving up two first-round picks.But Atlanta has Naz Hillmon, who is sure to return as a free agent.Breonna Jones (last year's starting center), Hillmon and Reese don't feel like the most versatile frontcourt trio, so the Dream likely haven't reshaped their roster around Alisha Gray and Reno Howard.
Is there another way to create an Alyssa Thomas team?
When Alyssa Thomas is on the roster, she demands special skills from her teammates.She takes over most of the gameplay and needs teammates to make quick decisions but usually finishes.It's not always fair to say there's a ceiling on Thomas' roster because she's only lost in the playoffs to more talented teams.Mercury will be in orbit by 2025, but it has a heavy payload and there aren't many counters to when the team can decelerate.Add 3-and-D players or some other gameplay (Brittney Sykes, for example, has a great complement to Thomas in Rivald) even if Thomas changes the way the story works.
New York Liberty
Will freedom lead Sabrina Ionescu to target the guard?
The positions are overrated, but it's worth noting that New York won a title when Sabrina Ionescu was the main guard with a trio of wings, and the Liberty failed when she shared a backcourt with Courtney Vandersloot and Natasha Cloud.New York has a capable ball handler on the front line in Breanna Stewart, similar to Draymond Green working as a power forward alongside Steph Curry for the Golden State Warriors.the NBA, with which new head coach Chris DeMarco spent more than a decade.Ionescu seems to consider himself in Curry's mold, but the front office has to decide what kind of players to surround him with.
Have they solved the power problem?
The answer is no DeWanna Bonner.Coach Steph White doesn't seem to trust Natasha Howard's defense;Maybe Makayla Timpson is too young and Sophie Cunningham too young.Assuming Kelsey Mitchell and Lexi Hull remain in free agency, Indiana has four positions (get well soon, Aaliyah Boston!) Sata Saballi;Time to bank on Azura Stevens or Nneku Ogwumike.
What are timelines?
Two of Seattle's 2025 All-Stars are now 35 and another is 29. The Hurricanes could try to build a championship-contending team with Ogwomek and Skylar Diggins by sacrificing last season's first-rounder to get Brittany Sykes.The question is if Ogwomek and Diggins want to stick around for that process, especially under a new coach, when That Diggins is so close to Noel Quinn.
Places called the Golden State Valkyries in the United States
Can they make a big splash?
Golden State can't catch a big fish in 2025 without proof of concept or when all the top free agents have basic rights and the Valkyries don't have assets to sign and trade.But now Golden State has the coach of the year in Natalie Nakas, a great arena and facility, and a great fan base.Additionally, the average WNBA salary can afford a comfortable lifestyle in the Bay Area.If the Valkyries land a big-name free agent this year, no draw - Jonquel Jones would be great on this team - the podium could be even longer for Portland and Toronto.
Los Angeles Sparks
Who will pair up with Kelsey Plum in the backcourt?
The Sparks got a bonus when Julie Allemand joined the starting lineup with Kelsey Plum.Plum's web rating is better with Allemand than other regular rotation players.But the point guard is now in Toronto, and Los Angeles must know how to use Plum in the future.The Sparks could move him to that spot full-time and bring Rae Burrell into the starting five, or try to find another point guard in free agency.After all, LA must be better on defense, whether it comes from growth or finding new pieces.
Is Shakira Austin part of the future?
The Mystics have two mainstays in Sonya Citron and Kiki Iriafen, both All-Stars as rookies.Based on his public comments, Monument Basketball President Michael Winger appears to be a big fan of restricted free agent Shakira Austin.Washington can afford to keep Austin with new multi-player contracts and three first-round picks in next week's draft.But mystics prioritize flexibility.Of course, that includes a sign and trade for Austin to bring in even more assets during this rebuild.
Will a move to Houston improve free agency results?
Connecticut has been a tough sell for free agents, even if the Suns have won.Perhaps the next move to Houston, where the team will have NBA-level resources and opportunities, will encourage players to sign long-term contracts knowing that they have to spend more time in Uncasville.The Sun also has attractive young stars in Sania Rivers, Leila Lacan, Anisah Morrow and Aaliyah Edwards.
What is the future after Angel Reese?
Sky went on to trade their best player five days after making trades to protect their entire roster.It's not clear what the plan is in Chicago.The organization must eventually commit to a rebuild, but it wouldn't be surprising if Sky busted again in 2027 because they don't control their first-round pick;He sent the swap rights to Washington in last year's Ariel Atkins trade.
Is Paige Buker's free agency attraction?
Everyone who talks about Paige Bueckers mentions her personality and magnetism.She brings people together and makes them feel good.You could say that UConn lacked energy during the 2025-26 season (let alone talent).should win and help Dallas jump into at least playoff contention.
Portland Fire and Toronto Weather
Will they try to refuel?
It might be unfair to lump these two expansion teams together when they have separate rosters.But the big question for both teams is whether they will try to compete.The 2027 draft will have incredible talent at the top with Madison Booker (Texas), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame) and possibly JuJu Watkins (USC).The 2028 draft could be better with Sarah Strong (UConn), Mikayla Blakes (Vanderbilt), Joyce Edwards (South Carolina) and, again, potentially Watkins, "Golden State" appreciates the fight for the franchise player tank, but the 2026 draft does not offer the same star potential.Maybe Fire or Tempo will remain free in the interest of "player development" years.
