WNBA free agency tracker: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu plan to stay with New York Liberty as majority of players hit the market

With a new collective bargaining agreement in tow, the WNBA is barreling toward the start of the 2026 season on May 8. But first, the majority of players still need to sign contracts.

Every veteran is a free agent this offseason, with the exception of Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown. Veterans signed deals that ended after the 2025 season to take advantage of higher salaries under the new CBA.

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Some key figures for free agency:

• The salary cap will rise from $1.5M to $7M, a 466% jump

• Supermax contracts are up 561% to $1.4M, from around $250K

• Minimum salaries above $300,000, with the average salary around $600,000

So when will this free agency bonanza begin? Great question. The WNBA has not officially announced dates for qualifying offers or free agency, though tentative dates of April 7-8 (qualifying offers), April 9-11 (free agency negotiations) and April 12 (official start of free agency) were provided. The expansion draft for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo is April 3, the collegiate draft is April 13 and the preseason begins April 19.

For more on each team’s free agency situation, check out our team-by-team free agency primer. And click on the team name below to jump to view notable free agents and the latest developments in each city:

Las Vegas Aces | Phoenix Mercury | Indiana Fever | Minnesota Lynx | New York Liberty | Seattle Storm | Atlanta Dream | Washington Mystics | Golden State Valkyries | Los Angeles Sparks | Dallas Wings | Connecticut Sun | Chicago Sky | Portland Fire | Toronto Tempo

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Las Vegas Aces

Under contract: Aaliyah Nye
Restricted: NaLyssa Smith, Kierstan Bell
Notable free agents: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Jewell Loyd

Phoenix Mercury

Under contract: Kalani Brown
Reserved: Natasha Mack, Kitija Laksa, Monique Akoa Makani, Lexi Held, Karthyrn Westbeld, Kiana Williams
Notable free agents: Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, DeWanna Bonner

Indiana Fever

Under contract: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Makayla Timpson
Restricted: Lexie Hull
Reserved: Chloe Bibby
Notable free agents: Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, Sydney Colson, Natasha Howard

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Minnesota Lynx

Under contract: Dorka Juhasz, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu
Reserved: Maria Kliundikova, Jaylyn Sherrod, Camryn Taylor
Key free agents: Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith, Kayla McBride, DiJonai Carrington, Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman, Bridget Carleton, Jessica Shepard

New York Liberty

Under contract: Nyara Sabally
Reserved: Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès
Notable free agents: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Natasha Cloud, Emma Meesseman

Latest news: Stewart and Ionescu confirmed their intentions to remain with the Liberty on Wednesday. “Good luck to everybody else in free agency,” Stewart said, “but I’m not a part of that.”

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The two brought New York its first championship in 2024, though their title-winning coach, Sandy Brondello, moved on to join the expansion Toronto Tempo this offseason. Former Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco will be at the helm for the 2026 season.

Seattle Storm

Under contract: Lexie Brown, Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, Nika Muhl
Reserved: Mackenzie Holmes, Zia Cooke
Notable free agents: Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Brittney Sykes

Atlanta Dream

Under contract: Te-Hina Paopao, Taylor Thierry
Restricted: Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon
Reserved: Maya Caldwell, Sika Koné
Notable free agents: Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Brittney Griner, Jordin Canada

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Washington Mystics

Under contract: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Georgia Amoore, Jacy Sheldon, Lucy Olsen
Restricted: Sug Sutton, Shakira Austin
Reserved: Emily Engstler, Madison Scott 
Notable free agents: Alysha Clark, Stefanie Dolson

Golden State Valkyries

Under contract: Carla Leite, Kate Martin
Restricted: Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini
Reserved: Janelle Salaün, Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, Iliana Rupert
Notable free agents: Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Temi Fagbenle

Los Angeles Sparks

Under contract: Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Sania Feagin
Reserved: Rae Burrell, Julie Vanloo, Alissa Pili
Notable free agents: Kelsey Plum, Dearica Hamby

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Dallas Wings

Under contract: Diamond Miller, Maddy Siegrist, Paige Bueckers, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly
Reserved: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Halley Jones, Grace Berger
Notable free agents: Arike Ogunbowale

Connecticut Sun

Under contract: Aneesah Morrow, Saniya Rivers, Aaliyah Edwards, Leila Lacan, Rayah Marshall
Restricted: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Haley Peters
Reserved: Mamignan Touré
Notable free agents: Marina Mabrey, Tina Charles

Chicago Sky

Under contract: Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld
Reserved: Sevgi Uzun
Notable free agents: Courtney Vandersloot, Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse, Ariel Atkins

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Portland Fire

Under contract: N/A
Notable free agents: N/A

Toronto Tempo

Under contract: N/A
Notable free agents: N/A