The WNBA is about to have an attention-grabbing offseason. First issues first, the WNBA’s collective bargaining settlement (CBA) must be sorted out.
WNBA gamers selected to not take part within the settlement over a 12 months in the past. This supplied ample time for negotiations. The deal runs out on Friday, Oct. 31, except it’s prolonged, which was essential to finalize the present CBA. Moreover, Toronto and Portland are set to affix the WNBA as new groups. Finally, there shall be an enlargement draft.
Listed here are the principle storylines for the WNBA offseason, assuming it begins on schedule.
Lockout, settlement, or extension?
Maybe Friday’s deadline can assist transfer negotiations ahead. Nevertheless, it appears the gamers and the league are far aside in negotiations, so a lockout is the probably final result.
If there may be some motion between the 2 sides earlier than then, there may very well be a 60-day extension to proceed talks, which might be the best-case state of affairs for the WNBA and its gamers.
Free-agent frenzy may very well be the Wild West
As soon as an settlement is reached and a few parameters are set with a brand new CBA, it’ll possible set off a free-agent frenzy.
Most veteran gamers within the WNBA are unrestricted free brokers. The listing consists of names like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Mitchell, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas and nearly each big-name participant besides Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
It is exhausting to think about gamers like Wilson leaving the Las Vegas Aces or Collier departing the Minnesota Lynx. Nonetheless, Ionescu hinted that leaving New York was a chance after an earlier-than-expected playoff exit.
The New York Liberty has a brand new head coach. But, if Ionescu re-signs with the franchise that drafted her, it is simple to see the Liberty reloading for one more title run.
Minnesota, recent off a WNBA Finals loss in 2024, posted the very best document within the league earlier than struggling within the playoffs following an damage to Collier. She shall be re-signed, however among the items round her would possibly want to alter.
Constructing round Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark
The Indiana Fever face some robust selections.
The DeWanna Bonner signing was a mistake, as she requested to go away the staff and signed with her former team, the Mercury.
Natasha Howard performed nicely, and even with out Clark, the Fever took Las Vegas to Recreation 5 within the WNBA semifinals. Clark and Aliyah Boston are every underneath contract. Lexie Hull is a restricted free agent, in order that’s a robust place to begin. Retaining Mitchell shall be a precedence, however after her excellent season, it is tough to image her enjoying for every other staff.
If Clark had been wholesome final season, Indiana may need been ok to win all of it. The main target now must be on protecting the staff collectively.
Dallas may be the extra intriguing staff. Bueckers is a celebrity. If the Wings play their playing cards proper, there is no cause they cannot make the same bounce as Indiana did in 2025.
The Fever’s document wasn’t pretty much as good with out Clark. Nonetheless, when at full energy, they had been formidable, so some tweaks may be wanted, however no main adjustments.
Arike Ogunbowale has been the face of the Dallas franchise. Now it is Bueckers’ flip. Selecting to maintain Ogunbowale is Dallas’s first massive choice in an offseason filled with them, because the Wings attempt to replicate what Indiana has constructed round Clark.
