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Six games into its inaugural season, Unrivaled has largely been a huge success. Games are fast, feature a lot of scoring, plenty of highlight plays, and always end with a big shot. Besides offering players a chance to make money while playing during the offseason without having to go overseas, Unrivaled is also expected to impact WNBA free agency.
With so many WNBA players teaming up in the same place, players are bound to forge new connections and discuss offseason movements. Several free agents are currently showcasing their talents in Unrivaled, and the new league could significantly impact some players’ offseason plans.
5. Jewell Loyd
Jewell Loyd wants to leave the Seattle Storm. She made that very clear when she requested a trade in early December. Now, she just needs a team to trade for her. Unrivaled is offering Loyd a chance to show teams what they could be bringing to town by trading for her.
So far, she has made a pretty strong case for herself. Loyd made her Unrivaled debut with the Mist in spectacular fashion. She scored 30 points on 10-21 shooting from the field, challenging her (most likely) former Storm teammate Skylar Diggins-Smith. Her second game was not quite as spectacular, but she still converted more than half of her field goal attempts.
The rest of Loyd’s Unrivaled season could very well decide how WNBA teams view her trade value.
4. Alyssa Thomas
The Connecticut Sun decided to core Alyssa Thomas this offseason, but that has not stopped the rumors about Thomas potentially wanting to leave her current team. One thing she has lamented about the Sun is that they lack a lot in terms of facilities and player comforts. As a result, she has been linked to the Golden State Valkyries, who are still looking for a star and feature modern facilities.
Unrivaled has everything most players dream of, and Thomas is getting a taste of what that is like. For a veteran, having good, modern facilities and all the best resources is incredibly important. After playing in Unrivaled, Thomas may not want to go back to an organization that cannot offer her the same and ask for a trade from the Sun.
3. Satou Sabally
Satou Sabally already announced that she wants to leave Dallas. The Wings cored her, so other teams will have to trade for Sabally. Sabally has been a WNBA All-Star twice and is still young. She could be a great fit on several teams, like the New York Liberty or Indiana Fever.
Unrivaled is a chance for Sabally to showcase why teams should trade for her. So far, it has not been a great outing for Sabally and the struggling Phantom Basketball Club. Sabally scored double-digit numbers in both games but did so very inefficiently, converting only nine of her twenty-three field goal attempts. She also turned the ball over seven times and struggled defensively. Sabally may just need some extra time to get used to the new format, but how she continues to perform could impact her trade value this WNBA offseason.
2. Brittney Griner
For the first time in her career, Brittney Griner is testing WNBA free agency. There’s still a chance that she will just return to the Phoenix Mercury, but she could also join a new team. Considering that Griner has never tested free agency before, her announcement was somewhat of a surprise.
While Griner is not in her prime anymore, she is still a good player, and there are not many traditional, high-level centers on the market. Most teams already know what they would get if they signed Griner, but Unrivaled is an opportunity for the veteran to remind everyone of her talent.
Even though Unrivaled favors guards and quicker players, Griner said she wants to use the league to “show off her skills for free agency.” According to ESPN, Griner is already taking meetings in Miami.
1. Courtney Vandersloot
After two seasons with the New York Liberty, Courtney Vandersloot may be on the move in free agency. Her skill set could be especially interesting to teams in need of a playmaker and traditional point guard, like the Golden State Valkyries, or young teams in need of a good veteran, like the Chicago Sky.
Vandersloot is one of several WNBA free agents playing in Unrivaled this offseason and already said she loves the opportunity to chat with other players about potential offseason moves.
Vandersloot’s role with the Liberty changed significantly in the 2024 season, as she lost her starting spot to rookie Leonie Fiebich during New York’s run to its first WNBA championship. Unrivaled is a chance for her to reiterate her value in WNBA free agency and pique teams’ interest.
