All-Star Free Agency Wave Redefines 2024-25 WNBA Landscape

The WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, signed in March, gave every player unrestricted free agency after the 2023-24 season. Over 80 % of players entered the market, and many chose new teams to be nearer to family despite salaries remaining largely unchanged.

Laredo Morning Times

Ten-time All-Star Brittney Griner signed with the Connecticut Sun, which will relocate to Houston for the 2025-26 season. Ten-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike returned to the Los Angeles Sparks. Six-time All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith joined the Chicago Sky. Three-time All-Star Satou Sabally signed with the New York Liberty to be closer to her New York roots. Angel Reese, a two-time All-Star and former league-leading rebounder, was traded to the Atlanta Dream.

Associated Press

• Over 80 % of players were free agents after 2023-24.

Associated Press

• All-Star roster: Griner (10-time), Ogwumike (10-time, 2016 MVP), Diggins-Smith (6-time), Sabally (3-time), Reese (2-time).

Associated Press

• Reese led the league in rebounds in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Associated Press

The Los Angeles Sparks announced Ogwumike’s return, noting her fit with a core that includes Kelsey Plum, Ariel Atkins, Dearica Hamby and Cameron Brink. The Chicago Sky highlighted Diggins-Smith’s veteran leadership and her backcourt pairing with Courtney Vandersloot. The Connecticut Sun described Griner as a veteran leader for the upcoming Houston move. The New York Liberty called Sabally’s signing a “homecoming.” The Atlanta Dream said Reese is the missing piece to reach the Finals.

Associated Press

• “Coming here for the one year with hopes of next year being in Houston and having that opportunity to potentially play in front of my family, play at home, it means a lot to me, means a whole lot to me,” — Brittney Griner, Center, Connecticut Sun

Associated Press

• “Phoenix was very far away from home for me as an international player. Like, nine-hour time difference. I could only talk to my little brothers before practice,” — Satou Sabally, Forward, New York Liberty

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• “I am not satisfied with what I am as a player and I felt like being around these kinds of players would help me be better,” — Angel Reese, Forward, Atlanta Dream

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• “I can help them in different ways to ... win, and that’s all I ever wanted,” — Angel Reese

Associated Press

Sources do not give an exact number of All-Stars who switched teams, nor detail the salary changes the CBA enables. The Sun’s move to Houston is described only as “next season” without a specific date.

Associated Press

The 2024-25 season will launch the new rosters. The Sun will relocate to Houston, the Liberty aim for a title, the Dream target a Finals return, and the Sparks hope Ogwumike’s comeback restores competitiveness.

Associated Press