The 2026 WNBA regular season is almost upon us and free agency is all but wrapped up.
The New York Liberty re-signed their superstar trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones after establishing themselves as early winners in free agency by signing All-Star forward Satou Sabally to a deal. New York had a disappointing first-round exit last season, but will be one of the most talented teams in the league this season.
The Indiana Fever and Aliyah Boston agreed to a contract extension through the 2029 season. This deal — $6.3 million over four years, per ESPN — was made possible by a new CBA provision (the Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract provision) that helps All-WNBA players on rookie contracts sign max deals earlier.
Elsewhere, Napheesa Collier re-signed with the Minnesota Lynx on a one-year, $1.4 million supermax, while A’ja Wilson signed what was briefly the largest contract in league history, a three-year, $5 million supermax contract to go back to the Las Vegas Aces.
The reigning champions also re-signed Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd this offseason and took a chance on Chennedy Carter, who has gone unsigned in two of the last three seasons.
Kelsey Plum, meanwhile, is headed back to the Los Angeles Sparks, but with a twist: she’s taking a one-year deal significantly below the supermax to give her team “financial flexibility,” according to ESPN. Her sacrifice will help the Sparks sign 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, who officially rejoined the team after a two-year sojourn in Seattle.
Another former Storm player, Skylar Diggins, signed with the Chicago Sky, who also signed Azurá Stevens and DiJonai Carrington, and traded for Rickea Jackson and Jacy Sheldon. On the flip side, though, the Sky traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks.
The Lynx and Dallas Wings were also busy. Notably, 2025 co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard left the Lynx to sign with the Wings. Between the expansion draft and free agency, the Lynx have lost six rotation players, though they have re-signed Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride.
Other notable deals include:
- Kelsey Mitchell re-signing with the Indiana Fever
- Gabby Williams signing with the Golden State Valkyries
- Alyssa Thomas (per ESPN) and Kahleah Copper re-signing with the Phoenix Mercury
- Allisha Gray, Rhye Howard and Brionna Jones re-signing with the Dream
- The Mystics matching the three-year max offer sheet the Tempo gave Shakira Austin
With a new CBA agreed to by players and the league, this was the biggest free agency class in league history. Aside from Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown, every single player not on a rookie scale contract was a free agent.
2026 WNBA salaries
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2025
|
$66,079
|
$120,000
|
$249,244
|
|
2026
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$270K — $300K (based on years of service)
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$583,000
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$1.4 million
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We’ll be keeping track of the most notable moves right here during 2026 WNBA free agency. Below is our free-agent tracker for the top 50 players in the class.
2026 WNBA free agency tracker
