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USA Today Sports Media Group
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Sport
Meghan L. Hall

2024 WNBA Free Agency Tracker: Where stars like Breanna Stewart and Nneka Ogwumike will play next season

Breanna Stewart Nneka Ogwumike WNBA Jonquel Jones Layshia Clarendon Alanna Smith Liberty the New York Liberty Khristina Williams Sparks

WNBA Free Agency is off to a running start. Things got going very early with tons of deals being agreed to. However, there are still so many unknowns, including a new wrinkle: whether or not Elena Delle Donne will play this season.

Free agency for the league started January 21, and though deals could not be signed until February 1, there have been lots of head-turning moves. With the New York Liberty officially giving Breanna Stewart a core designation, all eyes turned to other big names like Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Candace Parker.

However, a new reality is setting in with another big name. Elena Delle Donne and the Washington Mystics’ future is legitimately up in the air, and it’s not clear what will happen for the 2024 season.

As rumors turn to confirmations, here are the top WNBA free agency moves thus far:

**This player has a “core” designation. A “core” designation allows a team to designate a player as essential to the team’s success and identity. Any player with this label no longer has an unrestricted free agent status, giving the team exclusive rights to negotiate a new contract. Additionally, per the WNBA CBA, the player will be offered a one-year super-max contract at minimum, but a longer deal can be made with the team.

Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty**

(Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Breanna Stewart, the 2018 and 2023 WNBA MVP, is a seven-year veteran who spent six seasons with the Seattle Storm, where she won two championships, prior to landing with the New York Liberty. Stewart had a career year with the Liberty in points and assists, which helped lift the Liberty to the 2023 Finals. Stewart’s decorated career also includes five All-WNBA First Team honors, five All-Star recognitions, two Finals MVP awards and two WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors, which means there is NO WAY the Liberty were letting her walk right now.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get: Cored/One-year/TBD

January 26: Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx

(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Background: Alanna Smith has spent five seasons in the WNBA and has completed stints with the Phoenix Mercury, Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. Per Alexa Philippou of ESPN, Smith had a career season with the Sky, averaging 9.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.  She also shot a league-best 63 percent on 2-point shots. Her stellar play made her a candidate for Most Improved Player.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get: Two years

January 30: Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings

(Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Satou Sabally is the peanut butter to fellow teammate Arike Ogunbowale’s jelly and a massive reason why the Wings were able to have success in the playoffs. Sabally’s production is so critical to the Wings’ offensive identity that it’s hard to imagine a Dallas team without her. The 2023 Most Improved Player had her best season in a Wings uniform, averaging 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds,  4.4 assists, and 1.8 steals a game.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get: One-year at $195,000

 

January 30: Megan Gustafson, Las Vegas Aces

(Joe Camporeale/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Meg Gustafson has played five seasons in the league, providing support for three franchises. After a two-year stint with the Phoenix Mercury, Gustafson moves on to the Las Vegas Aces and will provide a welcomed presence in the paint and solid depth which the defending champions needed to add. She’ll look to continue her career year from 2023, where she averaged 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds, under the leadership of Becky Hammon.

What position do they play: Center

What kind of deal did they get: Two years

 

January 31: Kalani Brown, Dallas Wings

(Julie Jacobson/AP Photo)

Background: Kalani Brown is a four-year veteran who has spent time with the Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream and Dallas Wings. Brown had a career-best year during the 2023 season, averaging 7.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1 assist per game on 62.9 percent shooting. Having Brown back in the fold with fellow Center Teaira McCowan allows the Wings to be disruptive yet effective in the paint. At 6-foot-7, Brown and McCowan create production, length and size that few teams can rival.

What position do they play: Center

What kind of deal did they get: Multiyear/TBD

January 31: Layshia Clarendon, Los Angeles Sparks

(Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: At 32 years old, Layshia Clarendon provides a strong veteran presence for the Sparks. Clarendon has spent 12 seasons in the W and has played for the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, Connecticut Sun, New York Liberty, Minnesota Lynx, and Los Angeles Sparks. Per Matt Cohen of Winsidr, Clarendon is a valuable locker-room presence and should continue to be a floor general for the Sparks, averaging, 7.9 points, 3.3 APG, on 43.2 percent shooting overall.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get: Two years

January 31: Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty

(David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Prior to last season, Jonquel Jones spent six seasons with the Connecticut Sun, where she was the 2021 MVP. Jones was traded to the New York Liberty in January 2023 in a three-way trade with the Liberty, Sun and Dallas Wings and was a critical part of the Liberty’s run to the 2023 Finals. Jones became a consistent presence on the floor with 16.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in the postseason.

What position do they play: Forward/Center

What kind of deal did they get: Two years, est. $212,000 for 2024

January 31: TRADE - Tiffany Mitchell, Connecticut Sun and Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx

Background: The Connecticut Sun needed to find a replacement for recently retired veteran guard Tiffany “Tip” Hayes, and they got it through another Tiffany: Tiffany Mitchell. Mitchell is savvy in her thought process and is excellent at driving to the basket, creating quick points. Giving up Natisha Hiedeman was likely a tough decision, given her ability to be a sharp 3-point shooter (UNDERSTATEMENT) and mismatch for defenses. Still, at face value, this trade feels like a win for both teams.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Both Mitchell and Hiedeman’s previous deals have one year remaining. Their contracts are worth $139,050 and $120,000 respectively.

January 31: TRADE - Kia Nurse, Los Angeles Sparks and a pick swap

Background: The 2024 Draft just got a lot more interesting. The Los Angeles Sparks now own the No. 2 and No. 4 overall picks after a trade for Seattle Storm guard Kia Nurse. What makes this move so intriguing is that Nurse will provide a strong veteran presence for the organization. However, if Los Angeles chooses to hang on to both top-five picks, a youth movement could be unfolding. Former franchise staple Nneka Ogwumike is landing elsewhere, and the Sparks also have the No. 12 and No. 28 overall picks to work with.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Mitchell’s previous deal has one year remaining. The contract is worth $142,500.

January 31: Courtney Williams, Minnesota Lynx

(John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: This is a sneaky good move by Minnesota. One of the things that the Lynx were missing in the 2023 playoffs was additional help for Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride. The team simply ran out of gas and couldn’t match the production of the Connecticut Sun. After a career year with the Chicago Sky, where her 6.3 assists were fourth in the WNBA, Courtney Williams is cashing in on Minnesota’s need for a point guard with an offensive punch.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Two years, $175,000 in year one and $180,000 in year two

January 31: Kiah Stokes, Las Vegas Aces

(Candice Ward/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Re-signing Kiah-Stokes is a very good move for the Las Vegas Aces. Having Stokes around helps to keep pieces of the core group together that won the title in 2023, and ensures the team has depth. The biggest question will be Stokes’ health. She missed Game 4 of the WNBA Finals and, as of January 27, is still wearing a boot on her foot.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Two years

 

February 1: Aerial Powers, Atlanta Dream

(Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: The Atlanta Dream could use some help in the point guard department, and signing Aerial Powers is a start. The Dream rotated through several guards throughout the season (Danielle Robinson, Aari McDonald and Haley Jones). Still, it was hard to get the sense that the organization had a starting point guard on the roster that could fulfill the team’s needs long-term. They sorely needed a player who could be a floor general and add consistent offensive production. Signing Powers likely means that Robinson (a free agent) or McDonald could be on the outside looking in.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? One-year at $155,000

 

February 1: Natasha Cloud, Phoenix Mercury

(Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Leaving the Mystics, where Natasha Cloud grew up, had to be tough, especially after winning a championship with the team in 2019. (Sad times. No more papi crops with Brittney Sykes.) However, the team has to be excited about what she will bring to the Mercury. Cloud has a high motor, gets downhill in a hurry, and can bring consistent production to the table. After career-highs in nearly every offensive category last season, Cloud is poised to continue that trajectory plus bring her defensive chops that earned her two WNBA All-Defensive Team selections.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Two years, $200,000 per year

February 1: TRADE - Jordin Canada, Atlanta Dream and Aari McDonald, Los Angeles Sparks

Background: This is a game-changing move for the Atlanta Dream and fulfills a massive need. Rumors have been swirling since last season about where Jordin Canada would land, as many around the league believed she would be moving on from the Los Angeles Sparks. The Atlanta Dream securing Canada means giving up a solid role player in Aari McDonald, but what they get back is a dedicated floor general who was a Most Improved Player candidate last season and top-ten in assists.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Canada gets a 2-year deal worth $185,000 in year one and $190,000 in year two. McDonald still has one year left on her current deal worth $89,302.

 

 

February 1: Sydney Colson, Las Vegas Aces

(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Background: Sydney Colson is not going to wow anyone with her offensive production (her career average is 2.9 points per game), but her defensive abilities are highly underrated. Not to mention, Colson is a welcomed locker-room presence (she’s hilarious!) and was part of the core roster that helped the Aces win the 2023 WNBA Finals.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Two years

February 1: Nia Coffey, Atlanta Dream

(Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sport)

Background: Nia Coffey was a welcomed addition to Atlanta during the 2023 season. Her stellar defense is what helped Atlanta throughout the season and was a huge part of the team’s identity (lots of block parties were had!). Unfortunately, Coffey sustained a season-ending hand injury and while the Dream managed without her, her presence was greatly missed. Re-signing Coffey is a good sign that the team believes in her and wants to keep her paired with the team’s big three: Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Cheyenne Parker.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get? Two years, $300,000 total

February 1: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm

(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Background: Oh, baby! Whatever is brewing in Seattle is special. All teams be aware of the Storm. (Sorry, this is TOO good NOT to include weather puns.) Pairing Skylar Diggins-Smith with Jewell Loyd is going to pay dividends. The pair played together in college at Notre Dame and now could be one of the best backcourts in the league. The bucket-getting potential is unlimited. Diggins-Smith is a six-time WNBA All-Star and also has four All-WNBA First Team selections.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Two years

February 1: Katie Lou Samuelson, Indiana Fever

(Julie Jacobson/AP Photo)

Background: Former Uconn grad and 2019 No. 4 overall pick Katie Lou Samuelson is hooking up with the Indiana Fever after six teams showed interest, per Howard Megdal of The Next Hoops. Samuelson could potentially be a hand-in-glove fit for the Fever, especially when it comes to creating spacing on the floor. She’s got a natural ability to separate and knock down a shot from deep (she shot 35% on 3-point buckets in 2023). That could bode really well for the team if they manage to add Caitlin Clark to their core.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get? Two years, $175,000 in year one and $180,050 in year two

February 3: TRADE - Rebecca Allen, Phoenix Mercury and Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut Sun

Background: This is an excellent move for both teams. It’s been widely believed that Rebecca Allen was likely leaving the Sun for some time. Connecticut picking up Moriah Jefferson helps to boost their roster depth. They’re getting a solid shooter who can slice through whatever spaces defenses create. (Admittedly, Jefferson was on the outside looking in after the Mercury signed Natasha Cloud.) Something to keep an eye on after this trade is what happens with DeWanna Bonner. Allen’s departure leaves a gap for the Sun, and there will likely be a huge push to get Bonner to stay.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? Allen gets a two-year deal worth $160,000 each year. Per Spotrac, Jefferson still has two years left on her deal, worth $141,500 and $145,500 respectively.

 

February 5: DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun

Background: I’m not saying fans would have rioted if the Sun hadn’t brought back DeWanna Bonner, but I’m not sure the Suns’ leadership team would have made any friends. (Bonner played the best basketball of her career in 2023 at 36 years old. Read that again!) Signing her back was a no-brainer. Bonner is incredibly patient with her shots and keeps defenders guessing with her ability to create space and shoot. Plus, pairing her with Alyssa Thomas makes it hard for teams to decide if they want to watch midrange shots fall from virtually over the floor or get bullied in the paint.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get? 

February 5: Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun**

(Trevor RuszkowskiUSA TODAY Sports)

Background: Simply put, Brionna Jones was HOOPING before her Achilles injury cut her 2023 season short. With career highs in points and rebounds, her growth was evident and likely a good reason the Sun cored Jones earlier in the offseason.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get? Cored/One-year supermax/TBD

February 5: Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm

(Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Did somebody say Seattle was a super team? Because that’s what it’s giving. Seattle’s front office’s move to add Nneka Ogwumike to the roster is a HOME RUN. The 12-year veteran is the epitome of consistency, and if you want someone who can unravel an entire team by themselves, she is your person. Adding Nneka to Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Ezi Magbegor and Jordan Horston is going to be a walking nightmare to defend. The storm is coming (pun intended.) The WNBA better be prepared for it to be raining buckets.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get? One-year at $204,500

February 5: Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky

(Matt Marton/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: It’s so good to see Diamond DeShields find her way back to the league. The former WNBA champion and All-Star has battled injuries but should thrive under the leadership of new Chicago Sky head coach and Hall of Famer Teresa Witherspoon.

What position do they play: Guard

What kind of deal did they get? One-year at $100,000

February 6: TRADE - Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury and Michaela Onyenwere/Brianna Turner, Chicago Sky

Background: I’m going to be honest. I’m not entirely sure what the Chicago Sky are doing. Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams are gone to new teams. Now, they’ve traded their best player, Kahleah Copper, after telling everyone they wanted to compete this upcoming season and return to their championship-winning ways. (Make it make sense!) Either way, the Mercury are coming. Adding Copper to Natasha Cloud, Diana Taurasi and potentially Brittney Griner is filthy. Copper is an absolute dawg on the court. Her motor is as high as anyone in the WNBA, and it shows with her lethal scoring abilities.

What position do they play: Guard/Forward

What kind of deal did they get? Copper has two years left on her current deal, including $241,94 in year one and $248,134 in year two.

February 7: Candace Parker, Las Vegas Aces

(Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)

Background: Somewhere, Candace Parker has to be saying, “Give me my theme music!” Fans will be giddy to see Parker back after sustaining a foot injury in June 2023 that required surgery and cut her season short. In a recent documentary, Candace Parker: Unapologetic, she hinted that her return to basketball would be based on her health. Signing a new deal shows that Parker believes she can still contribute, and the Aces give her the best chance to do that and possibly win another ring.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get? One-year at $100,000

February 7: Elena Delle Donne, Washington Mystics

(Keith Birmingham/AP Photo)

Background: According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Elena Delle Donne is stepping away from basketball. Before free agency began, Delle Donne informed the Mystics that she was unsure about her time in the WNBA. Rather than take a chance on losing her without getting something in return for her, the Mystics cored Delle Donne. However, she remains unchanged in her stance and now has no intention of signing the one-year deal with her designation. But, even if Delle Donne sits out this season, she could still be cored again by the Mystics, further extending this virtual tug-of-war.

What position do they play: Forward

What kind of deal did they get? Cored/One-year supermax/TBD

February 14: - Stefanie Dolson, Washington Mystics

(Wendell Cruz/USA TODAY Sports)

Background: Stefanie Dolson is returning to the Washington Mystics, where she began her career and spent three seasons. Dolson spent the last two years with the New York Liberty, but seeing her return to the team would be a stretch. Per Khristina Williams of Girls Talk Sports TV, the Liberty had several centers on the roster last season, and that wasn’t going to support their intentions of improving their bench and front court with stretch bigs.

What position do they play: Center

What kind of deal did they get? Two years/TBD

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