Satou Sabally, forward for the Dallas Wings, announced her departure from the team during a press conference for Unrivaled, the 3-v-3 basketball league starting on Friday.
Dallas Wings officially used the core designation on Sabally, allowing them to sign-and-trade her instead of losing her for nothing in WNBA free agency.
Richard Cohen clarified how the WNBA’s core designation works, debunking the belief that it restricts players from going to teams that have already cored a player.
Core tag doesn’t travel with a player from team to team, except for purposes of considering them playing under a cored contract. So NY could core Stewart and still trade for Sabally and/or Plum, for example. #WNBA
— Richard Cohen (@RichardCohen1) January 13, 2025
Potential landing spots for Sabally include the Indiana Fever, New York Liberty, Seattle Storm, Golden State Valkyries, and Las Vegas Aces, with different trade scenarios and benefits for each team.
Sabally’s addition could greatly benefit teams like the Indiana Fever, who need to build a competitive core around standout players.
The New York Liberty and Seattle Storm also present promising opportunities for Sabally, with connections to her younger sister and former college teammate, respectively.
Joining the Golden State Valkyries could set Sabally up for a significant contract in 2026, as the league’s salary cap is expected to increase, providing potential financial benefits.
The Las Vegas Aces may also be a viable option for Sabally, although trade negotiations could be challenging due to roster considerations and player availability for Dallas.
