WNBA Free agency is heating up with big stars in the mix this year. The WNBA free agency negotiation period began on January 21 however no deals can be signed until February 1.
Nneka Ogwumike
Nneka Ogwumike announced that she will be leaving the Los Angeles Sparks in free agency. Ogwumike was the #1 draft pick in 2012 and won WNBA Rookie of the Year. She also won 2016 MVP and the league championship with the Sparks that year. Ogwumike has played for LA her entire career and has a career average of 16.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. Ogwumike has served as President of the WNBA Player’s Association since 2016, and is currently serving her third consecutive term. A veteran in the league, Ogwumike is looking for a change after missing the playoffs three years in a row.
Skylar Diggins-Smith
Skylar Diggins-Smith is ready for a new organization after she felt disrespected by the Phoenix Mercury. Diggins-Smith took time off at the end of the 2022 season noting “personal reasons” and later announced she was pregnant. She missed the 2023 season due to maternity leave. However, the 2022 season was rocky between Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi prior to her time off. In addition to her tumultuous relationship with Taurasi, Diggins-Smith announced that she has not been able to use the Mercury facilities during her maternity leave. Diggins-Smith has averaged 16.7 points and 5.0 assists over her career. Diggins-Smith is a 4x all WNBA first team player and can definitely be a huge impact player for whichever team she ends up with.
Elena Delle Donne
The Washington Mystics cored Elena Delle Donne prior to the start of free agency. This means Delle Donne can only negotiate with the Mystics and she gets offered a supermax salary for one year. This ensures the Mystics will get something for Delle Donne if she requests to be traded. In essence, it gives them some power because they will be losing their star player. Despite struggling with injuries throughout her career she is a future Hall of Famer. Delle Donne is a 2x MVP and 4x All-WNBA first-team player amongst many other accolades like an Olympic gold medal. Delle Donne led the Mystics to their only franchise championship in 2019. Her injuries may have sidelined her in the later part of her career but when Delle Donne was on the court in 2023 she averaged 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. Delle Donne is a veteran leader who would be an asset to any organization.
Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart, the reigning MVP, was cored by the New York Liberty. It would be surprising if she did not play in the seafoam green next season after her outstanding season last year and she also led the Liberty to the league championship.
Other Free Agents
Brittney Griner is also likely to remain with the Phoenix Mercury. She is an unrestricted free agent but has publicly announced that she intends to stay in Phoenix.
Jonquel Jones is an unrestricted free agent likely to stay with the Liberty as well. Jones’ first season with the Liberty landed them runner ups to the championship so it is unlikely that she will leave the franchise.
Brionna Jones was cored by the Connecticut Sun. She suffered an Achilles tendon tear that ended her season in June but she is still a key player for the Sun. Chances are Jones will be staying in Connecticut.
Candace Parker is an unrestricted free agent. Parker missed a majority of the Las Vegas Aces’ season last year due to a broken foot. However, a future Hall of Famer, she is a veteran leader that any team would love to have.
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/sports/wnba-free-agency-roundup/2024/01/29/
