It’s been an unbelievably hectic start to WNBA free agency. Thanks to the groundbreaking new CBA signed in January, player movement is more fluid than ever before. Increased cap space, a reduction in the number of times a team can core a player, and improved max contracts give both teams and players greater flexibility in moving contracts and picks. 

Below, we break down the biggest deals of the offseason so far:

• Phoenix has a new Big Three: The Mercury traded all-star DeWanna Bonner to the Connecticut Sun for three first-round picks, which they then used to land Skylar Diggins-Smith in a subsequent deal with Dallas. Diggins-Smith will team up with Diana Taurasi and a recently resigned Brittney Griner to make the Mercury immediate title contenders.

4x WNBA All-Star @SkyDigg4 is heading to the Mercury to join Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, per @RachGall

Career averages:
Skylar: 15.9 PPG | 4.9 APG

New Big 3 in Phoenix ???? pic.twitter.com/9EnaHYOq4K

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 12, 2020

• Washington keeps two of three: the defending champions were able to resign both reigning league MVP Elena Delle Donne and reigning finals MVP Emma Meeseman, but all-star guard Kristi Toliver bolted west to return to LA, whom she played for from 2010-2016, winning a title in 2016.

• Sparks may be the new favorites: Tolliver will join former MVPs Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike, as well as all-star Chelsea Gray in headlining a loaded Sparks squad. Throw in Brittney Sykes (acquired from Atlanta in exchange for Kalani Brown) and the most disappointing team of 2019 now looks like the team to beat heading into 2020.

• Las Vegas rolls the dice: The Aces pulled off one of the splashiest signings of free agency when they inked two-time scoring champion Angel McCoughtry to a two-year deal. A lineup of McCoughtry, A’ja Wilson, Liz Cambage, Kelsey Plum and Kayla McBride is scary on paper, but McCoughtry’s health is a real concern: she missed the end of the 2018 season and all of the 2019 season with a torn ACL.

• Seattle resigns Stewart: The Storm re-signed 2018 MVP Breanna Stewart, who missed all of last season after rupturing her Achilles tendon while playing abroad. Stewart returned to the court with Team USA in an exhibition game against UConn last month, where she looked eager to reclaim her title as best player in the league.

Duh! https://t.co/ZYIGOLuDYa

— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) February 13, 2020

FULL 2020 FREE AGENCY TRACKER (BY TEAM):

Updated February 17th. UFA: unrestricted free agent; RFA: restricted free agent; CO: club option.

Atlanta Dream:

• Alex Bentley, UFA

• Kalani Brown (via trade with Sparks)

• Alaina Coates, UFA

• Glory Johnson (contract signed, previously with Wings)

• Sun Mengran, UFA

• Shekinna Stricklen (contract signed, previously with Sun)

Chicago Sky:

• Kayla Alexander, UFA

• Sydney Colson (contract signed, previously with Aces)

• Kahleah Copper, UFA

• Stefanie Dolson, UFA

• Jamierra Faulkner, UFA

• Allie Quigley, UFA

• Courtney Vandersloot, UFA

Connecticut Sun:

• Rachel Banham, RFA

• DeWanna Bonner (via sign and trade with Mercury)

• Natisha Hiedeman (contract signed)

• Bria Holmes (contract signed)

• Jonquel Jones, UFA

• Courtney Williams, UFA

Breaking: DeWanna Bonner has signed with the @ConnecticutSun. pic.twitter.com/raV9JQhoE4

— espnW (@espnW) February 11, 2020

Dallas Wings:

• Morgan Bertsch (contract signed)

• Kaela Davis, CO

• Allisha Gray, CO

• Megan Gustafson (contract signed)

• Isabelle Harrison (contract signed)

• Moriah Jefferson (contract signed)

• Brooke McCarty-Williams, UFA

• Imani McGee-Stafford (contract signed)

• Astou Ndour (via trade with Sky)

• Karlie Samuelson (contract signed, previously with Sparks)

Indiana Fever:

• Betnijah Laney, UFA

• Erica McCall, CO

• Tiffany Mitchell, UFA

Las Vegas Aces

• Liz Cambage, UFA

• Angel McCoughtry (contract signed, previously with Dream)

• Danielle Robinson (contract signed, previously with Lynx)

• Sugar Rodgers, UFA

• Carolyn Swords, UFA

• Tamera Young, UFA

???? @angel_35

♠️ #1 Overall Draft Pick (2009)
♠️ 5x WNBA All-Star
♠️ 5th All-time in PPG in WNBA History
♠️ 6x All-WNBA Selection
♠️ 7x WNBA All-Defensive Team Honoree pic.twitter.com/4AvDx6L89B

— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) February 11, 2020

Los Angeles Sparks

• Alana Beard, UFA

• Chelsea Gray, UFA

• Marie Gulich (via trade with Dream)

• Tierra Ruffin-Pratt (contract signed)

• Brittney Sykes (via trade with Dream)

• Kristi Toliver (contract signed, previously with Mystics)

Minnesota Lynx

• Seimone Augustus, UFA

• Temi Fagbenle, UFA

New York Liberty

• Tina Charles, UFA

• Layshia Clarendon (contract signed, previously with Sun)

• Reshanda Gray, UFA

• Marine Johannès, UFA

• Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, RFA

• Kiah Stokes, UFA

• Tanisha Wright, UFA

Phoenix Mercury

• Essence Carson, UFA

• Skylar Diggins-Smith (via trade with Wings)

• Brittney Griner (contract signed)

• Bria Hartley (contract signed, previously with Liberty)

• Yvonne Turner, UFA

u2B50uFE0F4x WNBA All-Star
u2B50uFE0F3x All-WNBA
u2B50uFE0F2014 Most Improved Player
u2B50uFE0F2013 No. 3 Overall Pick

Coming to a Madhouse near you. pic.twitter.com/496A2eKL2B

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 12, 2020

“,”resolvedBy”:”manual”,”resolved”:true}” data-block-type=”22″>

 

⭐️4x WNBA All-Star
⭐️3x All-WNBA
⭐️2014 Most Improved Player
⭐️2013 No. 3 Overall Pick

Coming to a Madhouse near you. pic.twitter.com/496A2eKL2B

— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) February 12, 2020

 

Seattle Storm

• Sue Bird, UFA

• Blake Dietrick, RFA

• Courtney Paris, UFA

• Breanna Stewart (contract signed)

• Morgan Tuck (via trade with Sun)

• Shavonte Zellous, UFA

Washington Mystics

• Elena Delle Donne (contract signed)

• Tianna Hawkins, UFA

• Emma Meesseman, UFA

• Kim Mestdagh, UFA

• Leilani Mitchell (contract signed, previously with Mercury)

• Aerial Powers, UFA

After trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half, the Minnesota Lynx stormed back to a 95-93 overtime win in Brooklyn on Thursday to steal Game 1 of the WNBA finals on the road. Minnesota's return from 18 points down ties the greatest comeback in WNBA history, ironically first set by the Liberty in Game 2 of the 1999 finals.

The Liberty came out swinging early in front of a raucous Barclays Center crowd, scoring 32 points in the first quarter as the Lynx suddenly found themselves in danger of becoming overwhelmed. But Minnesota kept chipping away at the lead, reducing New York's advantage to single digits at halftime.

As the teams traded runs in the second half, it appeared as if New York would to be able to hold off a late charge by the Lynx, leading by 15 points with 5:20 remaining in the game. But once again, Minnesota remained calm and went on a run of their own.

"I think it defines our team in terms of being able to get through difficult times," Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said after the game. "That's what we are talking about: You have to be mentally tough and resilient."

Guard Courtney Williams made the four-point play to give Minnesota an unlikely one-point lead with seconds remaining, and Breanna Stewart split two free throws to send the game into overtime.

After a slow start to the overtime period, Lynx star Napheesa Collier's final midrange jumper proved to be the difference, sending Minnesota into Game 2 with a 1-0 advantage. The Lynx are the first team in WNBA postseason history to win a game after trailing by 15+ points in the final five minutes of regulation in 184 games.

New York center Jonquel Jones led all scorers with 24 points, but Minnesota got the most out of the trio of Collier (21 points), Williams (23 points), and Kayla McBride (22 points).

New York's chance to bounce back

The Liberty are now 0-6 in Game 1 of the WNBA finals, and will try to bounce back in Game 2 on Sunday at 3pm ET (ABC). "This is a series, and we wanted to really win for home court [advantage]. But the beauty is we have another game on Sunday and we'll be ready," Stewart said after the game.

For the Liberty, the pressure will be on. No WNBA team has ever come back from a 2-0 deficit in a best-of-five playoff series, something New York knows well. The Liberty sent two-time defending champion Las Vegas home in the semifinals after building a similar insurmountable advantage.

"We're disappointed," Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello said. "We have to be better. We're a better team than what we showed today."

After missing the free throw that would have sealed the game for New York, and missing a key layup in overtime, Stewart is also prepping for a personal bounce back. "I feel like knowing my teammates, and that everyone has confidence in me is important," she said. "It's kind of like, on to the next, and still making sure I'm aggressive any time on the court. Obviously as a player, it's very frustrating."

Following Sunday's matchup, the series will head to Minnesota for Game 3 and a possible Game 4. New York will be very motivated to stretch the series as long as possible.

"We can't play to not lose, and I think we started to play [like that] a little bit," said Sabrina Ionescu.

WNBA announces draft, postseason infrastructure for 2025

Prior to Game 1, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced plans for the 2025 college draft, as well as a new structure for the postseason. The 2025 draft lottery will take place on Nov. 17, as the LA Sparks, Dallas Wings, Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky find out who will hold the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft.

Expansion side the Golden State Valkyries will officially pick fifth in all three rounds of the 2025 draft, Engelbert also announced on Thursday. The Valkyries made their own bit of splashy news earlier in the day, announcing Aces assistant Natalie Nakase as the team's inaugural head coach.

The WNBA will also be making changes to the postseason starting in 2025, in reaction to the growing appetite for more games in more home markets.

The league will be expanding the finals to a best-of-seven series instead of a best-of-five starting in 2025. The first round will also go from a home-home-away cadence for the higher seed to a 1-1-1 structure, meaning all playoff teams will be guaranteed a postseason home game next year.

In today’s episode, Claire ponders another Sun postseason exit, and the risks and rewards of blowing things up in the pursuit of playoff glory.

She then previews the finals between the Lynx and the Liberty, with one key element she believes will earn one of the teams a title. She closes with some of the NWSL news of the midweek, which feels destined to shape the postseason and beyond.

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

With the 2024 NWSL Shield firmly in Orlando's hands, attention turns to the final three available playoff spots up for grabs as the regular season turns into the home stretch. The Chicago Red Stars, currently in sixth, could become the next team to clinch a postseason berth with a win against the surging Gotham on Saturday at 4pm ET (Paramount+).
 
Only Houston has been eliminated from postseason contention thus far, but Portland (7th) and Bay FC (8th) will try to hold off those below the playoff line to better their odds at a quarterfinal appearance. Racing Louisville appears poised to challenge for their own spot, sitting only three points below eighth place.

Both Portland and Bay FC will have their work cut out for them, as the Thorns take on first-place Orlando on Friday at 10pm ET (Prime), and Bay FC battles fourth-place Kansas City on Saturday at 10pm ET (ION). Amidst a losing skid, Portland is already looking toward the future after announcing this week that general manager Karina Leblanc will be transitioning out of her role at the end of the 2024 season.

Standings stragglers look to ward off elimination

With only three regular season matches left, Seattle, Angel City, San Diego, and Utah will all face elimination scenarios this weekend.

LA's playoff hopes hang by a thread after a three-point deduction due to a salary cap violation, but forward Alyssa Thompson is keeping the dream of the postseason alive. Thompson has scored five goals and registered two assists in her last seven NWSL games, including a crucial assist in a win against the Seattle Reign last weekend.

Six points off the playoff pace with three games to go in the regular season, Angel City will need Thompson at the height of her powers in their matchup against North Carolina on Saturday at 7:30pm ET (ION).

Andi Sullivan suffers season-ending ACL tear

The Washington Spirit announced on Wednesday that captain Andi Sullivan suffered an ACL tear in the team's loss to the Orlando Pride on Sunday, and will miss the rest of the 2024 season. A Spirit stalwart, Sullivan started all 21 regular season matches she appeared in for the club in 2024, tallying two goals.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Andi Sullivan (@sunnysulli)

Sulivan joins a growing number of injured Spirit contributors, including Croix Bethune (out for the season), Trinity Rodman, Casey Krueger, and Ouleye Sarr. The Spirit will take on Racing Louisville on Sunday at 5pm ET.

The MVP race heats up

With KC Current forward Temwa Chawinga running away with the 2024 NWSL golden boot, is there still intrigue to be found in this year's MVP race? Chawinga won NWSL Player of the Month for September, while forward Barbra Banda continued to excel with the unbeaten, Shield-winning Orlando Pride.

Banda's goal contributions are slightly off Chawinga's pace, with 13 goals and six assists to Chawinga's 18 goals and six assists. Chawinga leads the league in goals per 90 minutes, but Banda holds the title in goals and assists per 90 minutes, while both players comfortably lead the league in xG and npxG per 90.

It's been a year for blazing offense in the NWSL, personified by Chawinga and Banda's excellence. But voters will have to decide if individual contributions, playmaking, and total team success are a bigger part of the picture when deciding who will walk away with 2024 NWSL MVP.

Welcome back to Fast Friends with Kelley O'Hara and Lisa Leslie!

In today's episode, our hosts preview Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the Minnesota Lynx and the New York Liberty, and how Liberty center Jonquel Jones could be the final piece to her team's title hopes.

"Jonquel Jones, for the Liberty to walk away holding that trophy, she's got to show up bigger and better," says Leslie. "She's got to be dominant in the paint, she's got to get those boards, and she's got to block some shots. She's got to play out of her mind."

In the world of soccer, Kelley discusses the special importance of winning an NWSL shield, and makes a few bold postseason predictions (sorry Orlando and Kansas City!)

Coming off the success of JWS's Olympic commentary show The Gold Standard, Fast Friends features two legendary athletes serving up insider insights and unique takes on the biggest stories in women's sports every week.

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