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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nA’ja Wilson wants to win another title with Las Vegas Aces<\/p>\n
A’ja Wilson talks to the media before the WNBA expansion draft, and expresses her desire to stay in Vegas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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With signing day behind us, WNBA rosters are starting to round into shape.<\/p>\n With free agency<\/a> into its seventh day, teams have started signing players to their new, much larger deals. Many big name players signed on Saturday with Satou Sabally going to the New York Liberty, Skylar Diggins to the Chicago Sky and Monique Billings to the Indiana Fever.<\/p>\n Sophie Cunningham has also agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Indiana Fever.<\/p>\n As free agency continues, it can be hard to keep up with all the movement. USA TODAY has you covered with the latest news, rumors, updates and more.<\/p>\n The Phoenix Mercury announced that long-time player DeWanna Bonner is playing another year with the franchise. Bonner, a 16-year veteran, returns to the Phoenix for her 12th overall season with the team. She’s also had stints with the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever during her career.<\/p>\n “Having DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform is incredibly meaningful to our organization,\u201d said general manager Nick U’Ren. \u201cShe brings a championship mindset, elite skillset and the kind of leadership that defines winning teams.”<\/p>\n After losing Satou Sabally to the Liberty<\/a>, the Mercury retained forward Alyssa Thomas<\/a> and now, guard Kahleah Copper. On Sunday, the organization announced it re-signed the WNBA champion.<\/p>\n “Kahleah is a true leader, on and off the court, one of the most explosive athletes in our game and competes with a relentless edge and toughness,” Mercury general manager Nick U\u2019Ren said. \u201cHer impact on both ends of the court and ability to deliver in the biggest moments make her truly special.\u201d<\/p>\n The Minnesota Lynx lost free agent guard DiJonai Carrington to Chicago on Sunday. Carrington was traded to Minnesota last season after a brief stint with the Dallas Wings.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to bring DiJonai to the Sky,\u201d Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. \u201cShe brings speed, defense, versatility and a fierce competitive spirit, and we can\u2019t wait to see her electrify Skytown.\u201d<\/p>\n Carrington played 31 games last season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals. In September 2025, the Lynx announced Carrington would miss the rest of the regular season with a ” significant mid-foot sprain.” The former Minnesota guard also missed the postseason with the injury.<\/p>\n ESPN reports that veteran forward Natasha Howard plans to join <\/a>the Minnesota Lynx on a two-year, $1.4 million deal.<\/p>\n Howard spent two seasons with Minnesota, winning a championship with the franchise in 2017. She moves on to the Lynx after playing just one season with the Indiana Fever. Howard finished 2025 averaging 11.4 points on 55.2%, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals a game.<\/p>\n Kayla McBride agreed on two-year deal with the Minnesota Lynx, ESPN reported<\/a>. She averaged 14.2 points and 3.5 assists for the Lynx last season.<\/p>\n The Seattle Storm Ezi\u00a0Magbegor\u00a0has\u00a0re-signed.\u00a0Terms of the deal were not\u00a0disclosed.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFrom the start, it was a priority for us to bring Ezi back to Seattle. She means a great deal to this organization and to our city,\u201d Storm GM Talisa Rhea said. \u201cOn the court, she has a real impact on the defensive end with her ability to cover ground, protect the rim and disrupt plays. She anchors us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Sky announced Courtney Vandersloot will return after appearing in seven games last season after suffering her ACL injury in June.<\/p>\n “I truly believe the Sky are building something special, which made it a no-brainer to sign back,” Vandersloot said in a statement. “Finishing last season with an injury was disappointing, but I’m eager to be back on the court.”<\/p>\n The\u00a0Golden State Valkyries<\/a> announced they have signed All-Star forward\u00a0Gabby Williams\u00a0to a multiyear deal. An All-Defensive team pick last season, Williams averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists last season. She led the league in steals with 99, one shy of the season record set by Teresa Weatherspoon.<\/p>\n The Minnesota Lynx have re-signed one half of the StudBudz. Courtney Williams has agreed to a two-year max deal to return to the Minnesota Lynx, ESPN reported<\/a>. The contract will pay $2.4 million.<\/p>\n Natisha Hiedeman, Williams’ “twin,” has agreed to a two-year deal with the Seattle Storm.<\/p>\n On Sunday, the Los Angeles Sparks traded forward Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky in exchange for guard Ariel Atkins. Atkins was moved after being cored by Chicago earlier this week.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s thrilling to acquire one of the great young talents in this league in Jackson,\u201d Sky general Manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement. \u201cRickea is only going to continue to ascend, and the organization is excited to witness that growth firsthand.\u201d<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Sparks are signing Kelsey Plum\u00a0to a one-year $999,999, ESPN reported<\/a>. Plum started her career with the Las Vegas Aces\u00a0before playing for the Sparks last year.<\/p>\n Sophie Cunningham has signed a one-year deal to play with the Fever. She joined to team last season after playing her first six seasons in Phoenix. Cunningham averaged 8.6 points before a season-ending right knee injury in August.\u202f<\/p>\n The Dallas Wings signed Alanna Smith to a multi-year deal. Smith was the WNBA\u2019s co-Defensive Player of the Year last season with the Minnesota Lynx, sharing the award with A\u2019ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.<\/p>\n Bridget Carleton, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Portland Fire in the expansion draft, has signed a three-year max deal.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Golden State Valkyries announced Veronica Burton\u00a0has signed a multiyear deal to return. She was named the WNBA’s Most Improved Player, averaging 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.4 rebounds a game for the expansion Valkyries.<\/p>\n The Atlanta Dream have announced they’ve re-signed Rhyne Howard, who averaged 17.5 points, 4.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals last season.<\/p>\n Seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins agreed tow a two-year deal with the the\u00a0Chicago Sky, ESPN reported<\/a>. Diggins started her career with the Tulsa Shock, who became the Dallas Wings, before playing with Phoenix and Seattle.<\/p>\n The Los Angeles Sparks have re-signed Dearica Hamby\u00a0to a three-year deal\u00a0for close to $3.5 million, ESPN reported<\/a>. Hamby averaged 18.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals last season in LA, where she has spent the past three seasons.Erica Wheeler\u00a0will also come back to the Sparks, where she played in 2021.<\/p>\n One of the most sought after players in free agency, Satou Sabally,\u00a0will sign a multiyear deal with the\u00a0New York Liberty, ESPN reported<\/a>. She averaged 16.3 points and 5.9 rebounds a game last season when she helped the Phoenix Mercury the WNBA Finals.<\/p>\n The Liberty also re-signed Jonquel Jones, ESPN reported. \u00a0She averaged 13.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game last season. Jones has played for three season for the Liberty after six seasons with the Connecticut Sun.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Washington Mystics traded Jacy Sheldon to the Chicago Sky in exchange for their 2028 first-round pick, ESPN reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Indiana Fever are signing Monique Billings, who spent last season with the Golden State Valkyries, the IndyStar, part of the USA Today Network, reported<\/a>. Billings is the first unrestricted free agent to sign with the Fever in 2026.<\/p>\n The Indiana Fever will re-sign restricted free agent Lexie Hull, she announced in a TikTok video with teammate Caitlin Clark. The guard averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists last season. Hull was drafted by Indiana No. 6 overall in 2022.<\/p>\n The Chicago Sky have agreed to a three-year deal to keep Azur\u00e1 Stevens, ESPN reported. The 6-foot-6 averaged 12.8 points and 2.1 assists per game last season.<\/p>\n The Connecticut Sun and Brittney Griner are reportedly finalizing a deal, according to\u00a0CBS Sports.<\/a>\u00a0The Sun would mark Griner\u2019s third team in as many seasons. The 10-time WNBA All-Star and WNBA champion spent last season in Atlanta after playing 11 seasons in Phoenix.<\/p>\n The Las Vegas Aces are expected to bring back their big three. Veteran guard Chelsea Gray is finalizing a three-year, multi-million dollar deal to return to the Aces, according to the\u00a0Las Vegas Review-Journal.<\/a>\u00a0The\u00a0Aces plan to sign A’ja Wilson<\/a>\u00a0to a supermax contract and are reportedly finalizing a deal with Jackie Young to lock down the core that led Las Vegas to three WNBA championships in four years.<\/p>\n The Chicago Sky will reportedly re-sign Elizabeth Williams for $1.2 million over two years,\u00a0according to ESPN.<\/a>\u00a0She is a two-time All-Defensive Team pick and was named the league’s most improved player in 2016.<\/p>\n The Dallas Wings will reportedly sign Jessica Shepard, who spent the first five years of her career with the Minnesota Lynx, to a multi-year deal,\u00a0according to ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n Natisha Hiedeman, one half of the StudBudz who played with the Minnesota Lynx last season, has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with Seattle, according to several outlets. Lynx point guard Courtney Williams wished her friend well on social media, replying “🥹 Go Be Great 2 🔒💕” to an Instagram post by Hiedeman.<\/p>\n Arike Ogunbowale\u00a0is reportedly signing a million dollar multiyear deal with the\u00a0Dallas Wings,\u00a0according to ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n The guard was given a core qualifying offer earlier this week, making her eligible for the $1.4 million supermax in 2026. ESPN reports she is taking less to give the team more money to build around her.<\/p>\n Guards Allisha Gray and Naz Hillmon are nearing a three-year deals to re-sign with the Atlanta Dream, according to ESPN. Brionna Jones is also re-signing as the trio will welcome Angel Reese to an already veteran roster.<\/p>\n The\u00a0Indiana Fever\u00a0have re-signed\u00a0Kelsey Mitchell\u00a0a league source confirmed to IndyStar<\/a>, part of the USA TODAY Network.<\/p>\n Indiana\u00a0designated Mitchell as a core player\u00a0on Monday, giving her a one-year supermax contract of $1.4 million in exchange for exclusive negotiating rights.\u00a0She will be the Fever’s first $1 million player.<\/p>\n Jewell Loyd, who won a title with the Aces last season, will return on the three-year deal,\u00a0according to ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alyssa Thomas<\/a>\u00a0fell just short of winning the first WNBA championship of her career in her first season with the\u00a0Phoenix Mercury<\/a>, but Thomas is ready to run it back with coach Nate Tibbetts & Co.<\/p>\n A person familiar with the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports the 33-year-old who led the WNBA in assists last season is working on a contract to remain with the Mercury. Like many star players this offseason, Thomas had been an unrestricted free agent.<\/p>\n Thomas was acquired by the Mercury in a four-team trade in February 2025 following 11 seasons in Connecticut, where she led the Sun to eight consecutive playoff appearances and two WNBA Finals in 2019 and 2022. The six-time All-Star told USA TODAY Sports last year she “gave everything I had to Connecticut” and ultimately decided to depart in hopes of winning a title.<\/p>\n Satou Sabally is set to join her third team in as many seasons, but where will the 2023 Most Improved Player land?\u00a0USA TODAY Sports rounded up the best destinations for Sabally<\/a>\u00a0as WNBA free agency continues:<\/p>\n Guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes have both agreed to two-year max contracts, according to agent Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM Sports Agency and\u00a0first reported by ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Atlanta Dream are bringing back Brionna Jones, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The forward averaged 12.8 points and 7.3 rebounds a game last season. Jones and the rest of the Dream could be buoyed by the arrival of Angel Reese in a trade with the Chicago Sky.<\/p>\n There was speculation that Ogwumike might join the Lynx after a Minnesota-based balloon company shared a\u00a0now-deleted video<\/a>\u00a0that showed a “Welcome Nneka” marquee letter and a balloon arrangement on a Lynx basketball court. But Ogwumike officially deflated those rumors with another pair of letters \u2014\u00a0the iconic Hollywood sign.<\/p>\n Ogwumike announced her intention to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks, the franchise she brought a WNBA title to in 2016 during her 12-year stint in the\u00a0City of Angels. Ogwumike made the announcement on social media Friday, captioning a\u00a0video montage<\/a>\u00a0of her Sparks highlights, “It was always see you later, now I\u2019ll see you soon.”<\/p>\n Her announcement video starts off with the Hollywood sign morphing into “Nneka x LA.”<\/p>\n Nneka Ogwumike’s<\/a>\u00a0time in Seattle\u00a0has come to an end<\/a>\u00a0after two seasons.\u00a0Ogwumike confirmed her departure from the\u00a0Seattle Storm<\/a>\u00a0on Thursday as\u00a02026 WNBA Free Agency<\/a>\u00a0stretched into its fourth day. The 14-year veteran\u00a0shared<\/a>\u00a0a social media post that read, “Thank You Seattle.” Ogwumike captioned the photo collage filled with memories of her time in Seattle with green and yellow hearts.<\/p>\n Aces superstar A’ja Wilson<\/a>\u00a0said she’s staying in Las Vegas. The same can be said about Jackie Young.\u00a0Young is expected to return to Las Vegas on a one-year maximum contract worth $1.19 million,\u00a0ESPN reported<\/a>\u00a0Thursday.<\/p>\n On Thursday, the Aces announced they are re-signing defending champion Kierstan Bell. Bell averaged 4.2 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game in 35 games (16 starts) last season.<\/p>\n “Vegasssss!! Super excited to get back to work and compete for another championship!” Bell said in a statement. “The love doesn\u2019t go unnoticed and I\u2019m blessed to be a part of something so special! Let\u2019s rock.”<\/p>\n On Wednesday, free agent forward\u00a0Satou Sabally confirmed<\/a>\u00a0she isn’t returning to Phoenix after one year with the franchise. Sabally shared a photo gallery on Instagram with the caption “Best year yet. Thank you, Phoenix.”<\/p>\n Any player who receives a core qualifying offer (or core designation) is essential to a team’s overall success and identity. Any player given a core tag would no longer be an unrestricted free agent, and the team owns the exclusive rights to that player. Per the\u00a0WNBA CBA<\/a>, the player will be offered a one-year\u00a0supermax contract<\/a>\u00a0(worth $1.4 million), but different terms can be negotiated with the team. Also, if the two sides reach an impasse, they can partner to negotiate a sign-and-trade agreement.<\/p>\n Here are the players who were cored by their respective teams:<\/p>\n Reserve offer: Player with three years of service or less, who receives an offer; the team has exclusive negotiation rights.<\/p>\n Restricted: Player with four years of service, whose team extends an offer. The player can negotiate with other teams, but the previous team has the first right of refusal. The team can match other offers.<\/p>\n Background:\u00a0<\/strong>After a tumultuous second season with Sky that included a\u00a0suspension for comments Reese made about the team and her teammates<\/a>, Reese said she planned to play in Chicago for a third season. “I’m under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky,”\u00a0the forward said in December<\/a>. Now,\u00a0she moves on to Atlanta<\/a>\u00a0in a trade for picks.<\/p>\n Expected Contract<\/strong>:\u00a0Reese is still on her rookie contract<\/a>. When drafted by Chicago in 2024, the former Sky forward signed a\u00a0four-year, $324,383 contract<\/a>, including an average annual salary of $81,096. In 2026, Reese will earn a base salary of $350,692, while carrying a cap hit of $350,692.<\/p>\n On Thursday, the Dallas Wings traded forward Diamond Miller to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for center\/forward Rayah Marshall.<\/p>\n Type of free agent:<\/strong>\u00a0Unrestricted free agent<\/p>\n Background:\u00a0<\/strong>Breanna Stewart made it clear there is no other place she would rather play than New York. “I will be staying in New York. I\u2019m not planning on taking any free agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent,”\u00a0Stewart said on a recent episode of her podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n Team<\/strong>\u00a0player signed with<\/strong>: New York Liberty (unofficially)<\/p>\n Expected Contract<\/strong>:\u00a0TBD<\/p>\n Type of free agent:<\/strong>\u00a0Unrestricted free agent<\/p>\n Background:\u00a0<\/strong>After winning her third championship with the Las Vegas Aces,\u00a0Wilson has zero desire to move<\/a>\u00a0from the franchise. “I’m not leaving Vegas,” Wilson said on April 3.<\/p>\n Team<\/strong>\u00a0player signed with<\/strong>: Las Vegas Aces (unofficially)<\/p>\n Expected Contract<\/strong>:\u00a0Wilson is expected to re-sign with the team on a\u00a0WNBA supermax salary of $1.4 million<\/a><\/p>\n The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news \u2014 \u00a0<\/em>Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nBrittney Griner to sign with Connecticut Sun<\/h2>\n
Chelsea Gray reportedly finalizing deal with Aces<\/h2>\n
Elizabeth Williams to re-sign with Chicago Sky<\/h2>\n
Jessica Shepard to sign with Dallas Wings<\/h2>\n
StudBudz breaking up<\/h2>\n
Arike Ogunbowale re-signing with Dallas Wings<\/h2>\n
Atlanta Dream re-signing Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon<\/h2>\n
Kelsey Mitchell signs supermax deal with Indiana Fever<\/h2>\n
Jewell Loyd re-signing with Las Vegas Aces<\/h2>\n
Alyssa Thomas returns to Phoenix Mercury<\/h2>\n
Satou Sabally landing spots<\/h2>\n
Toronto Tempo agree to a pair of max deals<\/h2>\n
Atlanta Dream reportedly re-signing Brionna Jones<\/h2>\n
Nneka Ogwumike intends to re-sign with LA Sparks<\/h2>\n
Nneka Ogwumike says goodbye to Seattle<\/h2>\n
Jackie Young reportedly finalizing new deal with Las Vegas<\/h2>\n
Las Vegas Aces re-signs Kierstan Bell\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Satou Sabally confirms Phoenix Mercury departure<\/h2>\n
Free agents with core designations or core qualifying offers<\/h2>\n
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Free agents with reserve or restricted offers<\/h2>\n
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Trade: Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese to Atlanta Dream<\/h2>\n
Trade: Dallas trades Diamond Miller to Connecticut<\/h2>\n
Signing: F Breanna Stewart<\/h2>\n
Signing: C A’ja Wilson<\/h2>\n