3 huge winners, 2 losers from WNBA free company (to this point)

All the WNBA panorama has dramatically shifted over the previous 10 days, with a few of the league’s prime gamers switching groups (shoutout Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd, and Satou Sabally) and a few groups utterly resetting their rosters, just like the Connecticut Solar and the Phoenix Mercury.

Rosters nonetheless aren’t set forward of subsequent season — and we nonetheless bought a complete WNBA draft between now and tip-off — however let’s take an early take a look at the winners and losers of WNBA free company.

Winner: Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever

The Fever entered free company in an excellent place — recent off their first playoff look since 2016 and with Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston headlining what’s virtually actually the very best younger core within the league. However issues solely look higher right here in early February — they managed to re-sign scoring powerhouse Kelsey Mitchell, commerce for 3&D wing Sophie Cunningham, add former Defensive Participant of the Yr Natasha Howard, and signed veteran guard DeWanna Bonner.

These are three nice acquisitions — particularly Bonner, who’s recent off of one other All-Star season. And, with embellished head coach Stephanie White on the helm, the Fever are well-positioned to place all of it collectively. Oh, they usually introduced they have been constructing what would be the largest state-of-the-art apply facility within the league.

Clark’s first offseason within the WNBA has been a masterclass by her entrance workplace on the way to capitalize on the restricted window of getting a generational expertise. Different entrance places of work ought to take notes.

Loser: The Golden State Valkyries

The Valkyries — the WNBA’s latest franchise — have seemingly struck out on the most important targets in free company. In flip, it seems they should roll with the roster they chose in December’s enlargement draft. For a second there, Golden State appeared like a believable vacation spot for Kelsey Plum. However, Plum as a substitute was traded to Los Angeles to develop into the face of the Sparks franchise. Plainly free brokers have been reticent about signing with the league’s 2025 enlargement crew, regardless of the brand-new services and vital funding from possession. 2026 will give them one other chew on the apple, however subsequent yr’s roster doesn’t at present characteristic any already-established stars.

Winner: Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury utterly shook up final yr’s crew — buying and selling away Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen (Connecticut) and Sophie Cunningham (Indiana), and seeing Brittney Griner stroll away in free company to Atlanta. However, the shakeup may’ve been wanted, as final yr’s crew underperformed and was swept within the first spherical of the playoffs. Phoenix acquired each Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally by way of commerce — two of the highest gamers within the WNBA — who will kind a brand new Large 3 alongside Kahleah Copper.

Photograph by David Berding/Getty Pictures

Thomas and Sabally have been two of the highest gamers available on the market, so to accumulate each is an enormous win in and of itself. And, whereas how the brand new trio will mesh stays to be seen, in Sabally, Thomas, and Copper, they’ve three offensive engines who’re additionally threats on each ends. And, for Thomas and Sabally, who to this point haven’t performed for organizations with their very own apply services, becoming a member of the Mercury can even function a life-style increase.

Loser: Connecticut Solar followers

Subsequent yr’s Connecticut Solar gained’t resemble final yr’s elite squad. The dynamic backcourt of DiJonai Carrington and Ty Harris will play for the Dallas Wings subsequent season, Alyssa Thomas for the Mercury, DeWanna Bonner for the Indiana Fever, and Brionna Jones for the Atlanta Dream. Even backup level guard Veronica Burton gained’t be a Solar subsequent season after she was chosen within the Valkyries’ enlargement draft.

Subsequent yr’s roster does have some promising gamers — the league’s all-time rebounding chief, Tina Charles, signed the Solar, Marina Mabrey can be again for a second season, and Natasha Cloud is an electrical guard and an elite defender. Connecticut additionally signed Diamond DeShields and bought Lindsay Allen from the Chicago Sky — and has just a few open roster spots that can be stuffed.

Many anticipated the brand new period to be highlighted by Carrington, who’s recent off of a Most Improved Participant award. Carrington, a tenacious defender and rising star, was despatched to Dallas, offering one other blow.

Winner: Jewell Loyd (and the Las Vegas Aces)

Jewell Loyd requested a commerce from the Storm after spending her complete profession in Seattle. And, as such, she might have landed anyplace. However, Loyd ended up in one of many WNBA’s premier organizations, the place she’ll be part of forces with fellow Crew USA teammates A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, and Jackie Younger. The Aces have one of many league’s most well-respected coaches in Becky Hammon, their very personal apply facility, and substantial funding from possession and town of Las Vegas. Loyd will nonetheless get loads of offensive alternatives, however taking part in alongside the three-time MVP in Wilson, she undoubtedly gained’t have the ability to draw the identical kind of defensive stress she confronted in Seattle.

Photograph by David Becker/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

The commerce can be a serious win for the Aces, who didn’t have a slam-dunk free company however nonetheless enter 2025 in fine condition. Contemplating that Kelsey Plum wished to enter a brand new chapter of her profession, getting Jewell Loyd in return was pretty much as good of a return as Las Vegas might have realistically hoped for. Loyd is without doubt one of the league’s elite scorers, and at her greatest, she may very well be an improve over Plum. Now, the Aces will hope they’ll re-sign the 2024 Sixth Participant of the Yr Tiffany Hayes.