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In the midst of the NFL playoffs and NBA season, the WNBA is making its own headlines even in its offseason.
WNBA free agency commenced on Jan. 21. Front offices were finally able to communicate with free agents of all classifications — though contracts cannot be finalized or officially announced until Saturday, Feb. 1.
There are a lot of big names on the market and a lot of intriguing offseason possibilities.
The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and the Connecticut Sun’s Alyssa Thomas headline the stacked list of unrestricted free agents. Here is The Sporting News’ WNBA free agency tracker.
MORE: Trade grades for three-team deal involving Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd
WNBA free agency news, updates on signings and trades
Indiana Fever re-sign Kelsey Mitchell
Date: Jan. 29
Source: Alexa Philippou, ESPN
Kelsey Mitchell is returning to the Indiana Fever on a one-year deal. Mitchell’s agent, Allison Galer, informed ESPN sources that she is signing a one-year deal with a guaranteed supermax salary of $249,244.
Playing alongside rookie sensation Caitlin Clark in 2024, Mitchell had the best statistical season of her seven-year career. Starting 38 of 40 games, Mitchell averaged 19.2 points shooting 46.8% from the field and 40.2% from beyond the arc.
Courtney Vandersloot signs with the Chicago Sky
Date: Jan. 29
Source: Ramona Shelburne, ESPN
Free agent guard Courtney Vandersloot is returning to the Chicago Sky on a one-year deal.
Drafted by the Sky in 2011, Vandersloot won a championship with the team in 2021 but spent the past two seasons with the Liberty and helped them win their first WNBA title in 2024. She is a five-time All-Star and five-time All-WNBA pick but took a reduced role with New York, coming off the bench during the teams’ championship run.
Vandersloot will join a young team featuring second-year post players Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
Brittney Griner signs with the Atlanta Dream
Date: Jan. 28
Source: Alexa Philippou, ESPN
After being drafted No. 1 overall in 2013 by the Phoenix Mercury, 10-time All-Star Brittney Griner has agreed to a one-year deal with the Dream. ESPN reporter Alexa Philippou described the move as one of the most stunning free agency signings in league history, as Griner was widely expected to stay in Phoenix.
Griner averaged 17.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 2024. She joins 2022 first-overall pick Rhyne Howard and former rookie of the year Allisha Grey in Atlanta.
Phoenix Mercury acquire Alyssa Thomas in blockbuster trade
Date: Jan. 28
Source: Alexa Philippou, ESPN
The Phoenix Mercury finalized a trade to acquire five-time All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas from the Connecticut Sun, according to ESPN sources.
The Sun will receive Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and the 2025 No. 12 overall pick from the Mercury. Ty Harris is headed to Phoenix along with Thomas.
The transaction is a sign-and-trade and will not be made official until Feb. 1. Thomas was an unrestricted free agent but the Sun “cored” her, meaning in order to leave the team she would have to be traded.
Sparks, Storm, Aces make massive three-way trade
Date: Jan. 26
Source: Alexa Philippou, ESPN
After an initial quiet, WNBA free agency kicked off with a huge trade. The Las Vegas Aces are acquiring Jewell Loyd from the Seattle Storm and sending Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Storm are acquiring the No. 2 pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA draft and forward Li Yueru from the Sparks, as well as Las Vegas’ 2026 first-round pick.
Los Angeles receives the No. 9 pick in 2025 and a second-round pick from Seattle and the Aces will get the No. 13 pick from the Sparks.
The deal will not become official until Feb. 1 since it involves a sign-and-trade for Plum.
Loyd had requested a trade previously after her allegations of harassment and bullying against Seattle’s coaching staff.
Team Receiving Storm Li Yueru, 2025 No. 2 overall pick, Aces 2026 first-round pick Sparks Kelsey Plum, No. 9 overall pick, Storm second-round pick Aces Jewell Loyd, No. 13 overall pick
