WNBA free agency tracker 2026: Live updates on breaking news, signings and trades
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WNBA free agency tracker 2026: Live updates on breaking news, signings and trades originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Armed with a new CBA -- forged by weeks of negotiating and years of labor organizing -- the WNBA is set to be filled with fireworks when free agency kicks off in earnest on April 9.
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Sides were already locked in negotiations with restricted, reserved or core-eligible players. Signings won't filter in for good until April 12.
Free agency often is an action-packed affair. In 2025, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd landed in different spots, as did the rights to Storm standout Dominique Malonga. One year on, movers and shakers have already made their presence felt. Angel Reese's trade to the Dream proved the kindling to a spring like no other in recent WNBA history. With more than 100 players set to hit the open market during the offseason, expect free agency -- and all the moves surrounding it -- to be a blazing inferno.
With that, The Sporting News is tracking live updates on all things WNBA free agency. Follow below for an updated list of players to land new contracts in 2026.
MORE: Live grades, analysis of WNBA free agency
WNBA free agency news, updates on signings and trades
Sparks re-sign Dearica Hamby
- Date: April 11
- Source: Alexa Philippou
Dearica Hamby announced she is re-signing with the Los Angeles Sparks after averaging a career-high 18.4 points per game last season
Sky acquire Jacy Sheldon from Mystics
- Date: April 11
- Source: Alexa Philippou
The Mystics are trading guard Jacy Sheldon to the Sky for a 2028 first-round pick. The 25-year-old Sheldon appeared in only two games with the Mystics after coming over from the Sun and averaged 7.5 points per game.
Fever re-sign Lexie Hull to multi-year deal
- Date: April 11
- Source: Alexa Philippou
After taking on a larger role as the Fever dealt with injuries in 2025, Lexie Hull is re-signing with Indiana on a multi-year deal
Sky bring back Azura Stevens
- Date: April 11
- Source: Alexa Philippou
The Sky are re-signing forward Azura Stevens to a three-year deal after a breakout season in which she finished second in Most Improved Player voting.
Brittney Griner joins Sun on seven-figure deal
- Date: April 10
- Source: Alexa Philippou
Former Mercury and Dream star Brittney Griner is signing a "seven-figure deal" with the Connecticut Sun in their final season before moving to Houston.
Jewell Lloyd finalizing deal with Aces
Date: April 10
Source: Andraya Carter
Six-time All-Star Jewell Lloyd is returning to Las Vegas on a three-year deal, per Carter.
Naz Hillmon re-signing with Dream
Date: April 10
Source: Kendra Andrews
Naz Hillmon, the WNBA's reigning Sixth Player of the Year, has landed a new three-year deal with Atlanta, per Andrews.
Arike Ogunbowale signing 'seven-figure' deal with Wings
Date: April 10
Source: Alexa Philippou
Star guard Arike Ogunbowale is returning to the wings on a "seven-figure, multi-year deal," per Philippou.
While Ogunbowale was eligible for the $1.4M supermax, she is reportedly taking less than that for Dallas "to be able to build a quality roster."
Allisha Gray re-signs with the Dream
Date: April 10
Source: Sean Hurd
Allisha Gray is returning to the Dream on a three-year deal that will be worth "max-plus" money, per Hurd.
Natisha Hiedemen 'expected' to sign with Storm
Date: April 10
Source: Khristina Williams
Williams reports that Seattle is expected to sign guard Natisha Hiedeman. The 29-year-old averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 assists per game for the Lynx last season.
Alyssa Thomas returning to Mercury
Date: April 10
Source: Sean Hurd
Phoenix is bringing back Alyssa Thomas, per Hurd, finalizing a deal with the forward who averaged around 15 points per game last season.
Tempo agree to deals with Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes
Date: April 10
Source: Alexa Philippou
Toronto has agreed to terms with guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, per Philippou. Both agreed to two-year max contracts, making them the first known million dollar backcourt duo.
Dallas re-signing Awak Kuier
Date: April 10
Source: Khristina Williams
Per Williams, 2021 second-overall pick Awak Kuier is re-signing with the Wings, having last appeared in the WNBA in 2023. In 2025, Kuier competed in the Turkish Women's Basketball Super League.
Sky 'exploring' sign-and-trade with Ariel Atkins, Rickea Jackson
Date: April 10
Source: Khristina Williams
Per Williams, Chicago is "exploring" sign-and-trade framework involving Ariel Atkins, with Rickea Jackson set to come from Sparks as part of the potential deal.
Nneka Ogwumike to sign with Sparks
Date: April 10
Source: Nneka Ogwumike
Ogwumike is heading back to Los Angeles, she announced in a social media post captioned, "It was always see you later, now I’ll see you soon."
After two seasons in Seattle, the star forward is returning to her longtime Sparks team. In her first stint with the franchise, she became an eight-time WNBA All-Star, an MVP and won a championship in 2016.
Las Vegas stays busy, re-signs Jackie Young
Date: April 9
Source: Alexa Phillippou
The Aces stayed busy on Thursday and are finalizing a deal to re-sign Young. It is reportedly a one-year deal worth the regular max which is $1.19 million after the new CBA. The veteran guard has spent the entirety of her seven-year career with Las Vegas. Last year, Young started all 44 games and averaged 16.5 points with 5.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Aces announce re-signing of Kiersten Bell
Date: April 9
Source: Team X account
The Aces are re-signing Kiersten Bell. She has spent all four years of her career in Las Vegas. Last season, Bell played in 35 games and averaged 4.2 points with 1.8 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game.
Damaris Dantas to re-sign with Fever
Date: April 9
Source: Roberta Rodrigues, Forbes
The Fever are slated to bring back Damaris Dantas, who has spent each of the past two seasons in Indiana. Dantas, 33, averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 38 games in 2025.
Sky, Sparks engaged in talks over Ariel Atkins-Rickea Jackson swap
Date: April 9
Source: Annie Costabile, Front Office Sports
The Sky and Sparks are working on a trade that would see Ariel Atkins sent to Los Angeles in exchange for 2024 No. 4 pick Rickea Jackson. The trade hasn't been agreed yet. But an announcement is expected to be made in the next few days.
Atkins averaged 13.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 24 games with Chicago last year. Jackson, meanwhile, averaged 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 38 games in Los Angeles.
Liberty interested in Defensive Player of the Year Team center Alanna Smith
Date: April 9
Source: Madeline Kenney, New York Post
The Liberty are rumored to be interested in Lynx center Alanna Smith, per Kenney. Smith was the league's reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year (alongside A'ja Wilson).
MORE: Latest 2026 WNBA mock draft
Li Yueru, Grace Berger to return to Wings on qualifying offers
Date: April 8
Source: Meghan L. Hall, USA Today
Dallas will bring back rotation pieces Li Yueru and Grace Berger, per Hall. Yueru averaged 20.0 minutes, 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 22 games for the Wings after joining the Wings via trade. Berger, meanwhile, is a former first-round pick who averaged 22.3 minutes per game with Dallas last year.
Nneka Ogwumike to sign with Minnesota?
Date: April 8
Source: Alexa Philippou, ESPN
Source: Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike is slated to test the waters in free agency after seeing her contract with the Storm expire. A local balloon company looked to have broke news that Ogwumike was signing with Minnesota. However, the image appears to show the Lynx's pitch to Ogwumike. It is not confirmation of Ogwumike's signing, however.
Satou Sabally not expected to re-sign with Mercury, per report
Date: April 7
Source: Annie Costabile, Front Office Sports
For the third time in three seasons, Satou Sabally will be on a new roster. Per Costabile, Sabally is not expected to re-sign with the Mercury, the team she landed on via trade last offseason. Sabally immediately becomes one of the most coveted players on the market, with Costabile reporting that the three-time All-Star and one-time All-WNBA first teamer is expected to have a host of meetings in the coming few days.
Core designations filter in
Date: April 7
Source: Underdog WNBA
Ahead of the formal start of free agency negotiations, a slew of players have picked up Core qualifying offers. This is the WNBA's answer to the NFL's franchise tag, giving teams exclusive rights to negotiate with a player on their roster who would enter free agency otherwise. In return, the player lands a one-year deal at the supermax salary (last year, $249,244; this year, $1.4 million). Teams can still iron out long-term agreements with the player in question. The Core designation also serves as a way for teams to protect their assets, helping ensure a team gets something in return for its best player.
Here's a look at the players who have been offered Core qualifying deals by their respective organizations:
- Kelsey Mitchell (Fever)
- Ariel Atkins (Sky)
- Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty)
- Allisha Gray (Dream)
- Arike Ogunbowale (Wings)
- Ezi Magbegor (Storm)
- Napheesa Collier (Lynx)
- Kelsey Plum (Sparks)
- Marina Mabrey (Tempo)
- Bridget Carleton (Fire)
Dream acquire Angel Reese in trade with Sky
Date: April 6
Source: Taylor Rooks, Amazon Prime
The Sky dipped further into their rebuild on April 6, dealing two-time All-Star Angel Reese to the Dream in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick and 2028 second-round pick swap.
MORE: Angel Reese trade grades
The move spells the end of Reese's two-year stint in the Windy City. She emerged as the league's preeminent rebounder during her time in Chicago colors. She'll look to offer similar exploits in Atlanta, where she'll join Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Bri Jones.
TeamReceivingDreamF Angel ReeseSky2027 first round pick, 2028 first round pick, 2028 second round pick swapJonquel Jones to re-sign with Liberty
Date: April 5
Source: Jackie Powell, The XI Sports
New York is slated to bring back star big Jonquel Jones, according to Powell. The Bahamian-born talent is one of the WNBA's finest players, having captured MVP honors during 2021 and Final MVP honors during the Liberty's title run in 2024. A five-time All-WNBA selection, Jones is one of multiple New York standouts that was slated to hit the open market, although the likelihood remains that Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu will stay in Liberty colors for the long-run.
Fire, Tempo complete expansion draft
Date:
Source: Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo
The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo forged the building blocks to their rosters over the weekend via expansion draft. The Fire selected Bridget Carleton with the first pick, while the Tempo went with Marina Mabrey. Here's a full look at their rosters following the conclusion of their draft:
Portland Fire roster:
Previous TeamPlayerPos.LynxBridget CarletonFValkyriesCarla Leite GWingsLuisa GeiselsoderCMysticsEmily EngstlerFDream Maya CaldwellGFeverChloe BibbyFWingsHaley JonesGDream (rights)Nyadiew PuochFSparksSarah Ashlee BarkerGMysticsSug SuttonGStormNika MuhlGToronto Tempo roster:
Previous TeamPlayerPos.SparksJulie AllemandGLibertyNyara SaballyCSunMarina MabreyGAcesAaliyah NyeGMercuryLexi HeldGValkyries (rights)Maria CondeFLynxMaria KliundikovaFLiberty (rights)Adja KaneFSun (rights)Nikolina MilicFMercuryKitija LaksaGFever (rights)Kristy WallaceGMORE: WNBA Expansion Draft grades 2026
Aces set to offer A'ja Wilson supermax
Date: March 18
Source: Callie Fin, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Days after the WNBA and its player union announced that it had reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, the Aces are already making plans to lock up four-time MVP A'ja Wilson.
MORE: WNBA supermax contract, explained
Wilson, like many of the league's player population, is slated to his the open market in free agency. It seems unlikely she'll leave, however, with Las Vegas slated to make her the sport's highest-paid player.