WNBA free agency chaos lies more in players’ hands than ever before
Jewell Loyd donned a gray dri-fit shirt with the Las Vegas Aces logo across the chest as she sat in front of a black backboard branded with more of her new team logos Saturday for her introductory press conference. A smile was plastered across her face.
After spending the past decade with the Seattle Storm, Loyd is excited and rejuvenated for a new opportunity.
She called joining the Aces as part of the three-team trade that sent Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles and the 2025 No. 2 overall pick to Seattle a “fresh breath.”
“I can’t wait,” Loyd said. “I’ve been smiling the whole week.”
Jewell Loyd #24 of the Seattle Storm handles the ball during the game against the Las Vegas Aces during Round one Game one of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs on September 22, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
Loyd and Plum were among the first major moves of free agency that sent shockwaves through the league.
Since news broke of that tentative deal earlier this week – which was made official on the first day of the WNBA free agency signing period Saturday – many other high-profile players have decided to suit up for different teams in 2025.
Alyssa Thomas is expected to sign with the Phoenix Mercury after spending the first 11 years of her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun. She’ll be playing alongside Satou Sabally, who was moved to Phoenix as part of another major three-team trade.
Longtime Mercury center and nine-time All-Star Brittney Griner landed on the Atlanta Dream as her next destination, where she’ll team up with Brionna Jones who left Connecticut this offseason after eight seasons.
Phantom center Brittney Griner (42) defends against Mist forward Breanna Stewart (30) during the first half of an Unrivaled 3-on-3 basketball game Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, in Medley, Fla. AP
Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally handles the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the New York Liberty, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. AP
Courtney Vandersloot is returning to the Sky after spending two seasons in New York, and Kelsey Mitchell is expected to re-sign with the Indiana Fever.
The list can go on and on.
But this trend of massive player movement in free agency has been ramping up for several years now. It’s partly due to players being more empowered than ever to dictate where they want to play.
“That’s just the evolution of the league and what we’re seeing basketball and women’s sports going,” Loyd said. “There’s definitely a lot more freedom and things happening and changes.
“For me personally, I just think that you want to always find ways to improve and get better. That’s what I’m trying to do every single day and that led me to be a part of the Aces. And so I just think that’s just the evolution of where the league is going.”
In some ways, the player movement is also sending a message to teams to get with the program or you’ll be left behind.
Some players, including Sabally, forced their way out of their current situations in search for better environments and player experiences.
Not every WNBA team has its own training facility with first-rate amenities.
In last year’s playoffs, the Sun infamously had a practice disrupted by a 2-year-old’s birthday party, which Thomas called “the ultimate disrespect.”
Being a part of Unrivaled this offseason opened Thomas’ eyes even more to the disparity in what Connecticut doesn’t offer its players.
“We don’t have any of this kind of stuff in Connecticut from the medical equipment to the cold tubs, the chefs, we don’t have anything like that in Connecticut,” Thomas said. “So that’s what we were accustomed to but being here and seeing how these kinds of things feel, I mean, it’s definitely a different experience for me…
“We’re pro-level athletes. You need these things to take care of your body to be successful and in Connecticut, we haven’t had any of that.”
Aces president Nikki Fargas said free agency also has benefited from increased investment from WNBA teams, including restructuring front offices and bolstering coaching staffs.
The days of head coaches also being general managers are over.
Las Vegas Aces President Nikki Fargas (L) and Tom Brady talk before the Aces’ game against the Phoenix Mercury at Michelob ULTRA Arena on May 14, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
But what’s unfolded over the past week is just the beginning, according to Fargas.
Most players will be signing only one-year deals because the new collective bargaining agreement that is expected to bring massive salary bumps is slated to come into effect in 2026.
The WNBA is also expected to add expansion teams in Toronto and Portland next season.
“We’re growing and expanding and bringing more teams, I think the opportunities are going to be limitless for the franchises to be able to put together quality rosters because we’re getting quality players in this league,” Fargas said. “Not only are we using the pipeline of players that are coming from the collegiate level but also internationally.”
