The WNBA is Supermaxxing

Pop Base recaps the WNBA’s free-est free agency ever

This year’s WNBA draft was the second-most watched ever and created the richest class of WNBA rookies in history. Azzi Fudd went first, TCU’s Olivia Miles second, and 5 players from UCLA’s championship-winning roster went in the first round, setting a record. 

But while the drafted rookies were getting acclimated to their new cities—throwing out first pitches and jersey swapping with other women’s sports legends—front offices across the league were hard at work finalizing their training camp rosters before the end of free agency. 

More than 100 WNBA players were free agents this season, the most in history, since players chose not to re-sign contracts until the players’ union had negotiated a new labor agreement. Well, they negotiated one hell of a deal, and it’s changed the landscape of WNBA free agency. There have been a lot of major moves leading up to this season. 

Let’s have a look.

The year of the supermax

The new CBA raised the value of supermax contracts to 1.4m (from $249,000) and the overall salary cap to $7 million (up from $1.5 million). You heard that right: now, players can now earn as much in a year as an entire team could spend on their roster just last season. 

First went A’ja Wilson, making headlines with her 3-year, $5 million contract. But Aliyah Boston one-upped her days later with a 4-year, $6.3 million re-signing to the Fever. Kelsey Mitchell joined Boston as a Fever supermaxxer with a 1-year $1.4 million contract. Napheesa Collier was cored by the Lynx and signed her own 1-year, $1.4 million deal, though she’s expected to be out on the injury reserve until late this season. 

Those four, and 25 other players, have signed contracts worth more than a million dollars per year. They include veterans like Alyssa Thomas, Britney Griner, and Chelsea Gray as well as newer stars like Shakira Austin and Rhyne Howard. 

Vet guard (and noted quirky girl) Kelsey Plum resigned with the Sparks for a baffling $999,999. Whatever makes you happy, Kelsey.

Notable moves

Angel Reese kicked off a busy WNBA free agency by signing with the Atlanta Dream instead of returning to the Chicago Sky, who drafted her as a rookie in 2024. The Sky gained first-round draft picks in the next two WNBA drafts. 

Speaking of the Sky, they gained forward Rickea Jackson as they traded Ariel Atkins away to the Sparks. Working to build their frontcourt after losing Reese, they also nabbed Azurá Stevens, who was on the Sky’s 2021 championship team. And they picked up another guard in Skylar Diggins, a seven-time all-star most recently with the Seattle Storm. 

While the Sky built up their front court, the Lynx gave theirs away, letting Dallas sign 2025 DPOY Alanna Smith and Jess Shepard ahead of the WNBA draft. Speculation about the Wings building a front court around a potential superstar guard became fact when the team took Azzi Fudd first overall in this year’s draft. The Lynx lost another iconic duo to free agency when Natisha Heideman signed with the Storm, leaving pal Courtney Williams to defend the perimeter in Minnesota. 

Forward Satou Sabally will join a stacked team in New York this season. She reunites with former teammate Sabrina Ionescu and phenoms Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, each of whom the Liberty re-signed to $1.25 million contracts before signing Sabally at $1.7m. The 2024 champion Liberty lost in the first round of the 2025 playoffs but are sure to take another honest crack at it this fall. 

Other moves to note: 

Veteran guard Chennedy Carter was picked up by the defending champion Aces, where she’ll rejoin former teammate Dana Evans. Carter did not play in 2025 after being waived by the Sky after one season, but will return to the court in Las Vegas this season. 

The Toronto Tempo signed vet Brittney Sykes on a 2-year, $3.5 million contract and picked up Marina Mabrey for $2.4 million. Plus, they signed Marina’s little sister, Dana, to a training camp contract. She averaged 10.3 points/game as a guard for Notre Dame. 

WNBA Players’ Association president Nnneka Ogwumike left the Seattle Storm to rejoin the LA Sparks, where she played her first twelve seasons in the W. She signed a 1-year contract for $950,000. Last season, her contract was worth $195,000. Talk about reaping the fruits of your labor… agreement. 

Britney Griner signed a 1-year $1.2 million contract to join the Connecticut Sun for their last season before moving to Houston and being re-christened the Comets. To commemorate their final year in Connecticut, the Sun are having a season-long celebration of the franchise called ‘Sunset Season.’ 

With the preseason still days away, we’ve yet to see any of the rosters’ on-court chemistry. It’s truly anyone’s season. 

Jury’s still out…

Natasha Cloud, who was drafted in 2015 and most recently played for the Liberty (as well as in off-season 3-on-3 league Unrivaled), has yet to be picked up by a team. There’s speculation that it’s a result of her outspoken support of political and human rights causes, from the war in Gaza to ICE presence in the U.S. Though that’s unconfirmed, she remains unsigned to a team. Cloud handled her free agency predicament with grace online, thanking fans for their support: “It’s a powerful reminder that the impact I’ve wanted to make beyond the court is real—and aligned with what I believe God has called me to do through this game. I’m okay. Just taking things in; even if they weren’t what I expected, & trusting I’ll be alright.” 

Veteran Tina Charles has also not been signed by a team yet. She was drafted first overall in 2010, and spent last season with the Sun averaging 16 points and 6 rebounds. Fans speculate about her potential addition to the Seattle Storm after Brionna Jones underwent knee surgery, or joining Angel Reese in the Dream frontcourt, but she remains a free agent. 

With teams now in the throes of training camp, rosters are large and undrafted college and international players are getting face time with WNBA coaching staff. The Lynx brought in local talent Amaya Battle, who led the Minnesota Gophers to a Sweet 16 appearance this past March Madness. The Sun are trying out Raegan Beers, the 6’4” Oklahoma Sooner who averaged over 17 points and 9 rebounds per game last season but went undrafted. And in perhaps the most confusing training camp roster addition, the Seattle Storm contracted Michigan State guard Jalyn Brown next to Dallas Wings alum Jaelyn Brown. And they both played ball at Cal. And neither of them won a ring with the Celtics. 

These large training camp rosters will have to thin out before the season tips off on May 8th, when rosters must have just 14 players per team. With preseason starting in days and tipoff just two weeks away, coaching staff and front offices have their work cut out for them.

— Jules Yaeger

Subscribe to the newsletter to stay tapped into all of pop culture—including more coverage of the WNBA.