WNBA free agency grades 2026: Live analysis of the biggest free agent signings and trades originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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WNBA free agency is underway in what could be one of the most transformative offseasons in the league’s history.
More than 100 players have reached free agency following the expiration of their contracts, most of which were timed specifically to end when a new collective bargaining agreement kicked in that would guarantee players the highest salaries in WNBA history.
Below, The Sporting News grades the major deals to date in WNBA free agency, which — depending on the volume of activity — could realign the league’s balance of power.
WNBA free agency grades 2026
Arike Ogunbowale stays in Dallas
Arike Ogunbowale is re-signing with the Dallas Wings on a multi-year contract below the WNBA’s new $1.4 million supermax.
According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, Ogunbowale has agreed to take a little less to allow general manager Curt Miller to add more quality pieces around her and reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers.
Breaking: 4x All-Star Arike Ogunbowale is signing a seven-figure, multi-year deal to return to the Dallas Wings, sources told ESPN.
Ogunbowale was eligible for the $1.4M supermax in 2026 but is taking less than that for the team to be able to build a quality roster pic.twitter.com/r9a362Qpuj
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 10, 2026
Ogunbowale grade: A
At her best, Ogunbowale is an electric scorer capable of challenging for the MVP award. On her worst nights, she shoots her team out of the game.
Ogunbowale endured the toughest season of her career in 2025, when she averaged just 15.5 points per game on 36.4 percent shooting. She played in 29 games due to injury, and the Wings went 10-34. Miller then fired first-year head coach Chris Koclanes during the WNBA playoffs.
Ogunbowale has spent her entire career in Dallas and receives a strong vote of confidence from the Wings with this new contract. Her loyalty might be rewarded with a return to the playoffs in 2026.
Wings grade: B
Was Ogunbowale’s rough 2025 season a mirage? Or is it a sign that the 29-year-old is entering a decline? Dallas is betting on the former, choosing to re-sign the franchise’s all-time leading scorer instead of drafting Azzi Fudd first overall on Monday night.
Under new head coach Jose Fernandez, the Wings are gambling that Ogunbowale will flirt once more with a 20-point-per-game scoring average — a mark she has surpassed three times in her career.
Ogunbowale and Bueckers played only 21 games together in 2025; it makes sense to give that backcourt pairing more time. Adding a dominant big — like Awa Fam or Lauren Betts — in the draft on Monday would make for a formidable trio on paper. But Ogunbowale has to stay healthy and consistent for that to work.
Naz Hillmon re-signs in Atlanta
Reigning Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon is signing a new contract with the Atlanta Dream.
The move signals that Atlanta is bringing the band back together following a 30-win season in 2025 — but with the notable acquisition of Angel Reese via a trade with the Chicago Sky.
Breaking: Naz Hillmon is finalizing a 3-year deal to return to the Atlanta Dream, sources tell ESPN.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) April 10, 2026
Hillmon grade: A-plus
Hillmon enjoyed a banner year under first-year head coach Karl Smesko last season. Smesko’s staff worked on Hillmon’s jumper and encouraged her to take more jumpers. That decision opened up the Dream’s offense and turned it into the WNBA’s second-most efficient unit.
Hillmon averaged a career-best 8.6 points per game and shot 32 percent from beyond the arc. The three-year contract is a rich reward for her and a signal from the Dream that they believe in her continued development.
Dream grade: A
Hillmon represents a big scouting and development win for the Dream front office, which took hr 15th overall in the 2022 draft. General manager Dan Padover has prioritized keeping homegrown talent in Atlanta, and Hillmon now has the platform to get even better in 2026 with her combination of size, floor spacing and defensive impact. Big win for the Dream.
Jewell Loyd returns to the Aces
Six-time WNBA All-Star Jewell Loyd is finalizing a deal to return to the Las Vegas Aces.
Loyd is mere months removed from winning her third WNBA championship, and her first with the Aces, following a blockbuster trade from the Seattle Storm last year.
BREAKING: 3x WNBA Champion and 6x All-Star, Jewell Loyd, is finalizing a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Aces. pic.twitter.com/LBASQXMNvH
— Andraya Carter (@Andraya_Carter) April 10, 2026
Loyd grade: B-plus
Loyd’s scoring average cratered last season to 11.2 points per game, her lowest figure since her rookie season in 2015. The 2023 scoring champion was an uneasy fit in Becky Hammon’s offense and was moved to the bench in August — where she flourished.
Loyd averaged 9.4 points in 29.3 minutes across 12 playoff games. She averaged 13.8 points per game in the Finals as the Aces swept aside the Phoenix Mercury. Pursuing more championships in Las Vegas may be worth adapting to a reserve role for Loyd, who gets the added security of a multi-year deal.
Aces grade: B
As mentioned, Loyd’s fit in Hammon’s scheme was questionable in 2025, making it a curious decision to give the 32-year-old a new three-year contract.
It is perhaps better understood through the prism of the Aces’ negotiations with Jackie Young, who has agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.19 million. With Young in full control of her playing future after 2026, Loyd serves as competition and insurance if Young moves on next spring.
Still, seeing as how Loyd’s value has decreased over the past year-plus, is this the Aces’ best way to allocated their limited resources?
Allisha Gray re-signs with the Dream
The Atlanta Dream are poised to re-sign All-Star guard Allisha Gray to a contract worth “max-plus” money.
Gray, 31, is set to sign a new three-year deal that will be one of the WNBA’s most lucrative for a player who received MVP votes in 2025.
News: The Atlanta Dream are finalizing a three-year deal with Allisha Gray, per source. I’m told the multi-year deal is for “max-plus”
— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) April 10, 2026
Gray grade: A-plus
Gray has enjoyed the best years of her career in Atlanta. Over three seasons with the Dream, the sharpshooting lefty has averaged 17.0 points per game on 43.9 percent shooting and a 36.3 percent mark from 3-point range.
Gray was a first-team All-WNBA selection last season and she has developed into one of the game’s premier players. A three-year contract with the Dream gives her plenty of security — not to mention a great chance to compete for a championship.
Dream grade: A-plus
Gray has become a franchise cornerstone since Atlanta acquired her from the Dallas Wings before the 2023 season. She is a three-time All-Star and placed fourth in MVP voting last season after averaging a career-best 18.4 points per game.
Gray is a strong cultural fit in Atlanta as well, having established an off-court friendship with fellow All-Star Rhyne Howard.
This was a no-brainer for Dream general manager Dan Padover, who pulled off a blockbuster trade for Angel Reese earlier this week and, with Gray’s return, oversees a talent-laden roster that could have enough juice to reach the WNBA Finals this year.
Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes become The W’s first million-dollar backcourt pair
The Toronto Tempo have made a big splash by signing free-agent guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes to two-year maximum contracts.
Breaking: The Toronto Tempo have agreed to terms with guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, per their agent Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM Sports Agency
With each agreeing to two-year max contracts, they are the first known million dollar backcourt pairing. Big splash for Toronto pic.twitter.com/XHWMziQUpO
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 10, 2026
Mabrey grade: A-plus
The Tempo took Mabrey in last week’s expansion draft despite her pending free agency. Instead of taking less money to join a potential contender, Mabrey took the max contract and the challenge of leading an expansion team in its first season.
Mabrey has flashed elite shooting throughout her seven-year career, but she hasn’t stayed in one place for long and has struggled for consistency. Getting some security and high usage in Toronto could lead to a career season in 2026.
Sykes grade: B-plus
Sykes is one of the best defensive guards in the WNBA and offers an interesting counter to Mabrey in the Toronto backcourt.
A first-time All-Star in 2025, Sykes’ toughness and experience leading a young Washington Mystics team through a rebuild last year could be invaluable for the expansion Tempo, who selected plenty of shooters in the expansion draft and won’t have to rely heavily on Sykes’ jump shot.
Tempo grade: A-minus
For a franchise in Toronto’s position, the Tempo have to pay over the odds to land All-Star level talent in order to get off the ground.
General manager Monica Wright Rogers and head coach Sandy Brondello understand this. Their goal is to develop a winning culture and winning habits from year one, even if the playoffs don’t immediately follow.
Toronto owns the sixth pick in Monday’s rookie draft and likely will be eyeing one of the bigs — Lauren Betts looks more and more like a natural fit given the Tempo’s roster makeup.
Natisha Hiedeman to join the Storm
Natisha Hiedeman, one of the WNBA’s most valuable reserve guards, is leaving the Lynx after two seasons in Minnesota. According to Khristina Williams, Hiedeman will sign with the Seattle Storm. Contract terms have not yet been disclosed.
Sources: Natisha Hiedemen is not expected to re-sign with the Minnesota Lynx. Hiedemen is expected to sign with the Seattl Storm.
— Khristina (@Khristina) April 10, 2026
Hiedeman grade: A
Hiedeman enjoyed a career year in 2025, when she averaged 9.1 points per game and finished third in Sixth Player of the Year voting.
Hiedeman was a vital role player on the league’s best team a season ago. She shot a career-best 49.2 percent from the floor and over 37 percent from 3-point range. Hiedeman should get an opportunity to start on a young Seattle team that needs shooting, toughness and experience; she’s played in two WNBA Finals series, one with the Lynx in 2024 and one with the Connecticut Sun in 2022.
Storm grade: A-minus
It’s a new day in Seattle, as high-priced veterans Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams are set to depart as free agents. The Storm will build around its frontcourt, specifically the second-year phenom Dominique Malonga.
Hiedeman represents a smart, savvy signing for the Storm’s backcourt. Per 100 possessions last season, she averaged 25.1 points and 7.7 assists. The big question here is whether the shooting carries over; Hiedeman owns a career 41.7 field goal percentage, and her value as a starter is significantly higher if she can score consistently in double-digits.
Alyssa Thomas to re-sign in Phoenix
The Phoenix Mercury reportedly are finalizing a new contract with superstar forward Alyssa Thomas after the two sides enjoyed a successful 2025 season together.
Thomas signed with the Mercury as a free agent last year after 11 seasons with the Connecticut Sun. She promptly led the league in assists, finished third in MVP voting and guided Phoenix to the WNBA Finals.
News: Alyssa Thomas is finalizing a deal to return to the Phoenix Mercury, per source
— Sean Hurd (@seanahurd) April 10, 2026
Thomas grade: A-plus
Thomas joined the Mercury in 2025 for a fresh start as the Sun entered a rebuild. Phoenix built a team specifically for her to succeed: the Mercury surrounded Thomas with spot-up shooters and handed her the keys to the offense.
Thomas is the WNBA’s all-time leader in triple-doubles for a reason. Melding physical strength with immense basketball IQ, Thomas set a new benchmark last season with a WNBA-record 357 assists. She is the pre-eminent point forward of her era and is a seven-time All-Defense selection. Re-upping in Phoenix made the most sense for her.
Mercury grade: A
It sounds like Phoenix is going to lose Satou Sabally in free agency, while fellow All-Star Kahleah Copper has a bigger chance to stay but could leave too. Those circumstances made it more urgent for the Mercury to prioritize re-signing Thomas in free agency.
Though Thomas turns 34 this week, “the Engine” shows no signs of slowing down. Phoenix is squarely in a contention window, and the Mercury always find a way to land stars despite never seeming to own draft picks as trade capital. General manager Nick U’Ren and head coach Nate Tibbetts will be tasked with doing so again as Phoenix eyes a return trip to the Finals.
Nneka Ogwumike signs with the Los Angeles Sparks
Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike is returning to Los Angeles after two seasons with the Seattle Storm, making the WNBPA president the first major free agent to change teams.
Ogwumike, 35, played the first 12 years of her career in Los Angeles, winning an MVP award and a WNBA championship in 2016. She ranks second in franchise history in points scored and third in points per game.
It was always see you later, now I’ll see you soon… pic.twitter.com/Da2xCDv4ux
— Nneka Ogwumike (@nnekaogwumike) April 10, 2026
Ogwumike grade: A-plus
Nneka Ogwumike always wins. For her individually, a return to the Sparks is a dream come true: she comes back to the place where she played her best basketball and again will receive top billing as the franchise player.
Ogwumike’s individual consistency and excellence have made her one of the Sparks’ greatest-ever players, and she isn’t really slowing down as she readies for her 15th pro season. In 2025, Ogwumike averaged 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game while continuing to play superb defense. In a vacuum, she helps herself as well as the Sparks.
Sparks grade: C-minus
I don’t love this for Los Angeles.
Yes, adding a 10-time All-Star undoubtedly will get the Sparks closer to the playoffs. But what is Los Angeles’ idea here beyond just ending a five-year playoff drought?
Moving on from Ogwumike in 2024 signaled a patient rebuild around young players like Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. But the Sparks’ blockbuster trade for Kelsey Plum last year showed that Los Angeles was already losing patience with the youth movement. And now the franchise is set to trade Jackson to Chicago to…just bring back Ogwumike.
It’s hard to see the Sparks’ plan as anything other than a slapdash assemblage of All-Stars and a few young players. Sounds a lot like the Seattle team that Ogwumike left.
Jackie Young becomes the first player to get a $1 million max contract
ESPN’s Alexa Philippou on Thursday reported that Jackie Young and the Las Vegas Aces had agreed on a new one-year contract worth the regular maximum salary of $1.19 million.
It will keep Young in Las Vegas alongside A’ja Wilson and (most probably) Chelsea Gray as the Aces try to run it back in 2026 and win a fourth WNBA title in five years.
Breaking: The Las Vegas Aces are finalizing an agreement for Jackie Young to return to Vegas, sources told @alexaphilippou.
This is expected to be a one-year deal at the regular max ($1.19 million). pic.twitter.com/ln8Hetf0OD
— ESPN (@espn) April 9, 2026
Jackie Young grade: A-plus
Young cashes in and becomes the first player to agree to one of the new maximum contracts. It’s hard not to love this for her. And the deal structure — it’s a one-year agreement — keeps Young in full control of her future.
That being said, it’s getting hard to see her swapping Las Vegas for another locale. The Aces have made the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons and won at least 67 percent of their regular-season games in six of those seasons. Vegas is a well-oiled championship-winning machine, and Young understands that she is a key cog.
Las Vegas Aces grade: A
Despite speculation that Young would pursue a new adventure after winning three championships in Las Vegas, the Aces ponied up the cash to keep the four-time All-Star in Sin City.
Head coach Becky Hammon may have wished for Young to sign a longer-term deal, as the one-year agreement doesn’t offer Las Vegas much assurance about the star guard’s future beyond 2026. But the Aces nonetheless will be thrilled to retain a key member of their 2020s dynasty, a guard with 50-40-90 potential who has been there for many of the franchise’s biggest moments since her rookie season in 2019.
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