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Final rosters for the 2026 WNBA season were due Thursday ahead of opening night on Friday and, after a flurry of last-minute moves, all 15 teams now have their groups in place. The new collective bargaining agreement mandates that teams fill all 12 roster spots this season and also created two developmental roster spots per team — though those are optional. 

As is always the case, there were a number of notable cuts. Perhaps the most shocking was the Golden State Valkyries’ decision to part ways with Marta Suarez. They traded the No. 8 pick (Flau’jae Johnson) to the Storm for the No. 16 pick (Suarez) and another future second-round pick, then cut Suarez and couldn’t even get her to stay on a development contract. General manager Ohemaa Nyanin initially declined to give an explanation, then later reported it was about cap flexibility. Regardless, it was horrible asset management even before Suarez signed a development contract with the Phoenix Mercury.  

The Valkyries also waived fan favorite Kate Martin, who is not on a roster to begin the season, and revealed that Iliana Rupert is pregnant and will be out indefinitely. Her absence will be a major blow to their playoff hopes this season.

Additionally, the Storm waived first-round draft pick Taina Mair and later signed her to a development contract. Their decision to take Mair at No. 14 was a complete stunner, and looks even worse now that she failed to make the full roster. Still, she’s at least with the organization. 

Finally, a number of players have been temporarily suspended because they are still fulfilling overseas commitments. That includes Awa Fam (Storm), the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s draft, Justė Jocytė (Valkyries), the No. 5 overall pick in 2025, Nell Angloma (Connecticut Sun), the No. 12 overall pick in this year’s draft, Leïla Lacan (Sun), Leonie Fiebich (New York Liberty) and Monique Akoa Makani (Phoenix Mercury). 

Here’s a quick glossary on the different types of roster contracts:

  • Protected veteran: These are veterans with a fully guaranteed contract. Teams can only have a maximum of seven protected veterans under such a contract. 
  • Protected rookie: When a team picks up the fourth-year option on a rookie-scale contract, it becomes fully guaranteed. These contracts do not count toward the limit of protected veteran contracts. 
  • Unprotected: These are players without a guaranteed contract. If they are waived, they are only owed the pro-rated salary for the time they were on the team. These contracts become guaranteed at the midpoint of the season. 
  • Draftee: These are players who have just been drafted and signed their rookie-scale contract. They do not count against the salary cap until the first day of the season if they remain on the roster. 
  • Developmental: The new collective bargaining agreement created a new developmental system that will give each team two developmental players. These players do not count against the salary cap.
  • Training camp: These are players who were invited to training camp on a non-standard contract that does not count against the salary cap until the first day of the season if they remain on the roster. In the event they make the team, the contract converts to a one-year, unprotected, minimum deal. 
  • Pregnancy/Childbirth: Players who are unavailable due to pregnancy or recent childbirth. These players receive 100% of their base salary, which does count toward the salary cap. However, these players do not count toward a roster spot.  

Atlanta Dream

The Dream brought back their entire core in free agency, traded for Angel Reese, drafted Madina Okot and convinced former first-round pick Isobel Borlase to come over to the WNBA out of the Women’s National Basketball League in her native Australia. 

Their rotation was set heading into camp, but a few spots at the end of their roster were won by British guard Holly Winterburn and second-round pick Indya Nivar. They currently do not have any developmental players. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Jordin Canada

Guard

8 years

Protected veteran

Allisha Gray

Guard

9 years

Protected veteran

Naz Hillmon

Forward

4 years

Protected veteran

Rhyne Howard

Guard

4 years

Protected veteran

Brionna Jones

Center

9 years

Protected veteran

Isobel Borlase

Guard

Rookie

Unprotected

Te-Hina Paopao

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Angel Reese

Forward

2 years

Unprotected

Madina Okot

Center

Rookie

Draftee

Indya Nivar

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Sika Koné

Forward

3 years

Training camp

Holly Winterburn

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Chicago Sky

The Sky completely revamped their roster in the offseason with a clear eye on returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2023. Out went Angel Reese and Ariel Atkins, and in came Skylar Diggins, Natasha Cloud, Azurá Stevens, Rickea Jackson, DiJonai Carrington, Jacy Sheldon and Gabriela Jaquez via free agency, trades and the draft. 

Ajša Sivka, the No. 10 overall pick in 2025, ended up signing with Kentucky to play college basketball, while Hailey Van Lith, who went one pick later at No. 11, was waived. Sydney Taylor, who went undrafted in 2024 out of Louisville, earned the final full roster spot, while Maddy Westbeld and Aicha Coulibaly signed development deals. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Rachel Banham

Guard

10 years

Protected veteran

DiJonai Carrington

Guard

5 years

Protected veteran

Skylar Diggins

Guard

11 years

Protected veteran

Azurá Stevens

Forward

8 years

Protected veteran

Courtney Vandersloot

Guard

11 years

Protected veteran

Elizabeth Williams

Center

15 years

Protected veteran

Gabriela Jaquez

Guard

Rookie

Protected rookie

Kamilla Cardoso

Center

2 years

Unprotected

Natasha Cloud Guard 10 years Unknown

Rickea Jackson

Forward

2 years

Unprotected

Jacy Sheldon

Guard

2 years

Unprotected

Sydney Taylor

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Aicha Coulibaly Guard Rookie Developmental
Maddy Westbeld Forward 1 year Developmental

Connecticut Sun

The Sun will field an extremely young roster for their final season in Connecticut before moving to Houston. Only three players have five or more years of experience: Brittney Griner, Kennedy Burke and Shey Peddy. That group will have to provide leadership to their six rookies and four second-year players. 

Draft picks Nell Angloma, Gianna Kneepkens and Charlisse Leger-Walker all made the team, as did Ashlon Jackson (developmental), a second-round pick who was waived by the Valkyries, and undrafted rookie Raegan Beers. They also signed Hailey Van Lith after she was waived by the Sky. Because Angloma and Leïla Lacan are temporarily suspended, the Sun are currently carrying 14 players on their full roster. They will have to get down to 12 when Angloma and Lacan arrive. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Kennedy Burke

Forward

6 years

Protected veteran

Brittney Griner

Center

12 years

Protected veteran

Olivia Nelson-Ododa

Forward

4 years

Protected veteran

Diamond Miller

Guard

3 years

Protected rookie

Aaliyah Edwards

Forward

2 years

Unprotected

Leïla Lacan

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Aneesah Morrow

Forward

1 year

Unprotected

Saniya Rivers

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Nell Angloma

Forward

Rookie

Draftee

Gianna Kneepkens

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Charlisse Leger-Walker

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Raegan Beers

Center

Rookie

Training camp

Shey Peddy

Guard

6 years

Training camp

Hailey Van Lith Guard 1 year Training camp
Ashlon Jackson Guard Rookie Developmental

Dallas Wings

Like so many teams, the Wings will look completely different this season after making some major moves in free agency and drafting Azzi Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick. In addition to signing 2025 co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, the Wings also brought former No. 2 overall selection Awak Kuier back stateside.

The Wings invited 22 players to camp before making their final wave of cuts, which included veteran guard Lindsay Allen and Amy Okonkwo, who had some nice moments down the stretch last season. They also signed Costanza Verona and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu to developmental deals. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Awak Kuier

Forward

3 years

Protected veteran

Arike Ogunbowale

Guard

7 years

Protected veteran

Jessica Shepard

Forward

5 years

Protected veteran

Alanna Smith

Forward

7 years

Protected veteran

Azzi Fudd

Guard

Rookie

Protected rookie

Maddy Siegrist

Forward

3 years

Protected rookie

Paige Bueckers

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Aziaha James

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

JJ Quinerly

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Alysha Clark

Forward

13 years

Training camp

Odyssey Sims

Guard

12 years

Training camp

Li Yueru

Center

3 years

Training camp

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu Forward 2 years Developmental
Costanza Verona Guard Rookie Developmental

Golden State Valkyries

The Valkyries signed Gabby Williams in free agency, which was a big get, and lost a few deep rotation players, including Temi Fágbénlé, but are mostly bringing back the same team. In terms of minutes played, seven of their top nine from last season returned, which means their rotation won’t look too different. 

Notably, No. 5 overall pick Justė Jocytė will be coming over to the WNBA this season, though she is temporarily suspended. Additionally, the team will be without French center Iliana Rupert this season because she is pregnant. Under the new CBA, players receive 100% of their base salary while they are out due to childbirth/pregnancy, but their salary does count toward the salary cap. The player does not, however, count toward their roster limit. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Veronica Burton

Guard

4 years

Protected veteran

Kaila Charles

Guard

5 years

Protected veteran

Tiffany Hayes Guard 13 years Protected veteran

Kiah Stokes

Center

10 years

Protected veteran

Kayla Thornton

Forward

10 years

Protected veteran

Gabby Williams

Forward

7 years

Protected veteran

Iliana Rupert

Center

3 years

Pregnancy/Childbirth

Janelle Salaün

Forward

1 year

Unprotected

Cecilia Zandalasini

Forward

4 years

Unprotected

Justė Jocytė

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Laeticia Amihere

Forward

3 years

Training camp

Kaitlyn Chen

Guard

1 year

Training camp

Miela Sowah Guard Rookie Developmental

Indiana Fever

The Fever re-signed Kelsey Mitchell in free agency, which was their top priority, and also brought back Lexie Hull and Sophie Cunningham. Free-agent signings Monique Billings, Tyasha Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen, as well as No. 10 overall pick Raven Johnson, will fill out the rotation around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. 

Their roster is now set after waiving Megan McConnell, Jessica Timmons and Kayana Traylor on Wednesday. Veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough made the final roster after signing a training camp contract. Second-round pick Justine Pissott will occupy one of their developmental spots. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Monique Billings

Forward

8 years

Protected veteran

Sophie Cunningham

Guard

7 years

Protected veteran

Myisha Hines-Allen

Forward

8 years

Protected veteran

Lexie Hull

Guard

4 years

Protected veteran

Kelsey Mitchell

Guard

8 years

Protected veteran

Aliyah Boston

Center

3 years

Protected rookie

Caitlin Clark

Guard

2 years

Unprotected

Damiris Dantas

Forward

10 years

Unprotected

Tyasha Harris

Guard

6 years

Unprotected

Makayla Timpson

Forward

1 year

Unprotected

Raven Johnson

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough Guard 9 years Training camp

Justine Pissot

Forward

Rookie

Developmental

Las Vegas Aces

Unsurprisingly, the Aces are largely running it back after winning their third title in four years, and they don’t anticipate having an eventful training camp. They only invited 13 players to camp, which may have set a record. The final roster spot came down to draftees Janiah Barker and Jordan Obi, and Barker won out. 

Former lottery pick Chennedy Carter also locked up a roster spot. She has gone unsigned in two of the last three seasons, but the Aces are betting on her talent.  

Player Position Experience Contract status

Dana Evans

Guard

5 years

Protected veteran

Chelsea Gray

Guard

11 years

Protected veteran

Jewell Loyd

Guard

11 years

Protected veteran

NaLyssa Smith

Forward

4 years

Protected veteran

Stephanie Talbot

Forward

7 years

Protected veteran

A’ja Wilson

Forward

8 years

Protected veteran

Jackie Young

Guard

7 years

Protected veteran

Janiah Barker

Forward

Rookie

Draftee

Kierstan Bell

Forward

4 years

Training camp

Chennedy Carter

Guard

4 years

Training camp

Cheyenne Parker-Tyus

Forward

11 years

Training camp

Brianna Turner

Forward

7 years

Training camp

Los Angeles Sparks

The Sparks went all in this offseason. They brought back franchise icon Nneka Ogwumike, who had spent the last two seasons in Seattle, re-signed Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby and traded former lottery pick Rickea Jackson for Ariel Atkins. 

But even though the Sparks hope to contend, they have some questions about their depth. Second-round picks Ta’Niya Latson and Chance Gray both made the final roster, as did South Korean forward Jihyun Park. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Ariel Atkins

Guard

8 years

Protected veteran

Dearica Hamby

Forward

11 years

Protected veteran

Nneka Ogwumike

Forward

14 years

Protected veteran

Kelsey Plum

Guard

8 years

Protected veteran

Erica Wheeler

Guard

10 years

Protected veteran

Cameron Brink

Center

2 years

Unprotected

Sania Feigin

Forward

1 years

Unprotected

Chance Gray

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Ta’Niya Latson

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Rae Burrell

Guard

4 years

Training camp

Emma Cannon

Forward

7 years

Training camp

Jihyun Park

Forward

Rookie

Training camp

Laura Ziegler

Forward

Rookie

Developmental

Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx’s three leading scorers from last season — Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams — are all back, but almost nothing else remains the same in Minnesota. There was a mass exodus in the expansion draft and free agency, and they made some notable additions, including No. 2 pick Olivia Miles and veteran forward Natasha Howard. 

They also got Maya Caldwell from the Fire in exchange for a third-round pick, and had a number of international rookies make the final roster, including Emma Cechova and Antonia Delaere. Emese Hof will be on a developmental deal. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Napheesa Collier

Forward

7 years

Protected veteran

Nia Coffey

Forward

9 years

Protected veteran

Natasha Howard

Forward

12 years

Protected veteran

Kayla McBride

Guard

12 years

Protected veteran

Courtney Williams

Guard

10 years

Protected veteran

Dorka Juhász

Center

2 years

Protected rookie

Olivia Miles

Guard

Rookie

Protected rookie

Anastasiia Olairi Kosu

Forward

1 year

Unprotected

Maya Caldwell Guard 4 years Training camp

Emma Cechova

Forward

Rookie

Training camp

Antonia Delaere

Forward

Rookie

Training camp

Eliska Hamzova

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Emese Hof Center Rookie Developmental

New York Liberty

The Liberty were one of the big winners in free agency, as they brought back their Big Three of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones, and also convinced All-Star forward Satou Sabally to take a discount to come to the Big Apple. 

The front end of the Liberty’s roster is stacked, and they also did some nice work on the margins to solidify their depth, including re-signing Marine Johannès, Han Xu, Rebekah Gardner and Rebecca Allen. Additionally, Europeans Pauline Astier and Raquel Carrera made the final roster, while Marine Fauthoux is on a developmental deal.  

Leonie Fiebich and Carrera will be temporarily suspended to begin the season. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Sabrina Ionescu

Guard

6 years

Protected veteran

Jonquel Jones

Center

9 years

Protected veteran

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton

Forward

9 years

Protected veteran

Satou Sabally

Forward

6 years

Protected veteran

Breanna Stewart

Forward

9 years

Protected veteran

Rebecca Allen

Forward

10 years

Unprotected

Leonie Fiebich

Forward

2 years

Unprotected

Pauline Astier

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Raquel Carrera

Center

Rookie

Training camp

Rebekah Gardner Guard 3 years Training camp
Marine Johannès Guard 4 years Training camp

Han Xu

Center

3 years

Training camp

Marine Fauthoux Guard Rookie Developmental

Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury re-signed Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, but did nothing to replace All-Star forward Satou Sabally, who walked in free agency. While they’re still going to be a competitive team, a return trip to the Finals looks unlikely unless they’re able to work some true magic on the margins. They certainly made an effort to do so, as they brought in 24 players — two full rosters worth — to camp. 

A number of international players made their final roster, including Kyara Linskens, Jovana Nogic and Noemie Brochant. Additionally, Marta Suarez and Shay Ciezki will occupy their developmental spots. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Valériane Ayayi

Forward

1 year

Protected veteran

Kahleah Copper

Guard

10 years

Protected veteran

Alyssa Thomas

Forward

12 years

Protected veteran

Sami Whitcomb

Guard

9 years

Protected veteran

Monique Akoa Makani

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

DeWanna Bonner

Forward

16 years

Unprotected

Natasha Mack

Center

3 years

Unprotected

Noemie Brochant

Forward

Rookie

Training camp

Quionche Carter

Forward

Rookie

Training camp

Kyara Linskens

Center

1 year

Training camp

Jovana Nogic

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Kiana Williams

Guard

4 years

Training camp

Peyton Williams Forward Rookie Training camp      
Shay Ciezki Guard Rookie Developmental
Marta Suarez Forward Rookie Developmental

Portland Fire

The Fire are one of two expansion teams to join the league this season, and they have an extremely young group. Bridget Carleton, Megan Gustafson and Karlie Samuelson are the only players on the final roster with more than four years of experience. Eight of the 11 players they selected in the expansion draft made the final roster. 

Spanish guard Iyana Martín, the No. 7 overall pick, will remain in Europe this summer and will not play in the WNBA this season. Additionally, Nika Mühl will not play this season as she recovers from a torn ACL. Second-round pick Frieda Bühner will occupy a developmental spot, and Teja Oblak and Kamiah Smalls are both temporarily suspended due to injuries, so the Fire will enter the season with 15 players.         

Player Position Experience Contract status

Bridget Carleton

Forward

7 years

Protected veteran

Megan Gustafson

Center

7 years

Protected veteran

Haley Jones

Guard

3 years

Protected veteran

Karlie Samuelson

Guard

7 years

Protected veteran

Sarah Ashlee Barker

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Luisa Geiselsöder

Center

1 year

Unprotected

Carla Leite

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Nyiadiew Puoch

Forward

Rookie

Unprotected

Sug Sutton Guard 4 years Unprotected

Serah Williams

Forward

Rookie

Draftee

Emily Engstler

Forward

4 years

Training camp

Jordan Harrison

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Teja Oblak

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Kamiah Smalls

Guard

3 years

Training camp

Frieda Bühner

Forward

Rookie

Developmental

Seattle Storm

The Storm lost a ton of talent in free agency, including Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins and Gabby Williams, but they crushed the draft by adding Awa Fam and Flau’jae Johnson. Their rebuild is already off to such a strong start that they’re actually a winner from the offseason, even though they’re going to be worse this season. 

No. 14 overall pick Taina Mair — a surprise selection — was waived, but has since signed a developmental contract. Additionally, Fam has been temporarily suspended as she finishes her season in Spain with Valencia, and will join the team at a later date. Third-round pick Grace VanSlooten has made the final roster — at least for now, while Fam is suspended. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Lexie Brown

Guard

8 years

Protected veteran

Stefanie Dolson

Center

12 years

Protected veteran

Natisha Hiedeman

Guard

7 years

Protected veteran

Ezi Magbegor

Forward

6 years

Protected veteran

Jade Melbourne

Guard

3 years

Protected veteran

Katie Lou Samuelson

Forward

5 years

Protected veteran

Awa Fam

Center

Rookie

Protected rookie

Jordan Horston

Forward

2 years

Protected rookie

Dominique Malonga Center 1 year Unprotected

Flau’jae Johnson

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Grace VanSlooten

Forward

Rookie

Draftee

Zia Cooke

Guard

3 years

Training camp

Mackenzie Holmes

Forward

1 year

Training camp

Taina Mair Guard Rookie Developmental

Toronto Tempo

The Tempo are one of two expansion teams joining the league this season, and they took a completely opposite approach from the Fire in both the expansion draft and free agency. This is a veteran team that’s out to compete this season and has an outside chance to make the playoffs. Draft picks Kiki Rice and Teonni Key are the only two players on the roster under 25 years old. 

The Tempo ended up only keeping four players they selected in the expansion draft: Marina Mabrey, Nyara Sabally, Lexi Held and Maria Conde. They bolstered their roster with free-agent signings such as Brittney Sykes, Isabelle Harrison and Canadian Kia Nurse. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Julie Allemand

Guard

3 years

Protected veteran

Temi Fágbénlé

Forward

5 years

Protected veteran

Marina Mabrey

Guard

7 years

Protected veteran

Brittney Sykes

Guard

9 years

Protected veteran

Kia Nurse

Guard

7 years

Protected veteran

Nyara Sabally

Center

3 years

Protected rookie

Isabelle Harrison

Forward

8 years

Unprotected

Teonni Key

Center

Rookie

Draftee

Kiki Rice

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Maria Conde

Forward

Rookie

Training camp

Lexi Held

Guard

1 year

Training camp

Laura Juškaitė

Forward

Rookie

Training camp

Mariella Fasoula Center Rookie Developmental

Washington Mystics

The Mystics decided to match the three-year max offer sheet that Shakira Austin signed with the Tempo in free agency, and she will return as the second-most experienced player on the roster. In fact, Michaela Onyenwere is the only other player who has more than one year in the WNBA under her belt

Including developmental spots, nine rookies ended up making the roster, including their three first-round picks this year, Lauren Betts (No. 4), Angela Dugalić (No. 9) and Cotie McMahon (No. 11). Second-round pick Cassandre Prosper and third-round pick Rori Harmon also made the squad. 

Second-round pick Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Spanish guard Alicia Flórez will occupy their developmental spots. 

Player Position Experience Contract status

Shakira Austin

Forward

4 years

Protected veteran

Michaela Onyenwere

Forward

5 years

Protected veteran

Lauren Betts

Center

Rookie

Protected rookie

Georgia Amoore

Guard

Rookie

Unprotected

Sonia Citron

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Kiki Iriafen

Forward

1 year

Unprotected

Lucy Olsen

Guard

1 year

Unprotected

Angela Dugalić

Forward

Rookie

Draftee

Rori Harmon

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Cotie McMahon

Forward

Rookie

Draftee

Cassandre Prosper

Guard

Rookie

Draftee

Alex Wilson

Guard

Rookie

Training camp

Darianna Littlepage-Buggs Forward Rookie Developmental