Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, and Kelsey Mitchell Set to Become 2025 WNBA Free Agents

The WNBA Free Agency period is almost underway, officially set to begin January 21st, and several exciting prospects will be Free Agents, such as Breanna Stewart, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, Kelsey Mitchell, and more. The various types of Free Agents include Unrestricted, Restricted, and Reserved Free Agents. Players whose contracts expire while they are suspended, a rare phenomenon, are treated similarly to Reserved free agents as well. The following answers common questions about free agency while addressing and explaining some of its details and intricacies. 

What is the Difference Between Restricted, Unrestricted, and Reserved Free Agents?

WNBA players enter the Restricted Free Agency after completing their rookie contract and holding less than five years tenure within the league. A player becomes an Unrestricted Free Agent when their current contract is completed and they have played more than five seasons. An Unrestricted Free Agent can talk to and negotiate with any team of their choice. A Restricted Free Agent can do the same, however, if an offer by a new team can be matched by their current team, they must accept the current team’s contract. In cases where a player’s contract expires and they have less than three years experience in the WNBA, they become a Reserved Free Agent. This is usually the case for veterans who entered the WNBA later in their careers or younger players who were not on rookie contracts. In this situation, a player can only negotiate with other teams if their current team does not extend a qualifying offer.

How Does WNBA Free Agency Work?

From January 11th-20th, teams can begin to make qualifying offers and “core” players. What does this mean? Qualifying offers are one-year contracts made to Restricted or Reserved Free Agents at a predetermined salary determined by the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. A Restricted Free Agent can reject this qualifying offer and begin negotiating with other teams; it is only after an offer is made by a new team, and the original team matches it, that a player must return to the original team. If a player is not extended a qualifying offer, and by extension is not matched an offer by a new team. they become an unrestricted free agent. One player from a team is allowed to be “cored”, which automatically gives the player a one-year fully guaranteed contract at the league’s maximum salary, or another salary if negotiated; a player cannot be cored by the same team for more than two years, and more than four years within their career. Teams can officially negotiate with free agents on January 21st, but cannot sign contracts until February 1st.

Who Are Some Free Agents to Watch?

Unrestricted Free Agents to Watch:

• Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

• DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun

• Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun

• Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever

• Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces

• Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings

• Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

• Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx

• Natasha Howard, Dallas Wings

• Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm

• Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm

• Erica Wheeler, Indiana Fever

• Courtney Vandersloot, New York Liberty

Restricted Free Agents to Watch:

• DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun

• Chennedy Carter, Chicago Sky

• Dana Evans, Chicago Sky

• Temi Fagbenle, Golden State Valkyries

• Aari Mcdonald, Los Angeles Sparks

• Michaela Onyenwere, Chicago Sky