Predictions for WNBA free agency in 2024 and the main plotlines.
Superteams ruled the WNBA free agency window in 2018 and went on to dominate the 2023 season. Stars like Candace Parker of the Las Vegas Aces and Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot of the New York Liberty kept those teams in the public eye until the last day of play, when the Aces defeated the Liberty to win the WNBA championship.
The free agency this year offers some additional excitement. It’s anticipated that free agents like Stewart, Jonquel Jones (both with the Liberty), and Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury) will remain in their current positions. What about Skylar Diggins-Smith, though, whose time with the Mercury ended badly the previous year?
Will former MVPs Parker and Elena Delle Donne (Washington Mystics) continue to play or look for other opportunities?
Is it possible that players who have been “fixtures” for their teams—like Nneka Ogwumike of the Los Angeles Sparks and Natasha Cloud of the Mystics—will no longer play for the only WNBA teams? And is there a “jewel” free agent out there that might not get much notice but could be a vital piece missing for the team that signs him?
Players and teams could start negotiating on Sunday, and on February 1st, contract offers might become official. Kevin Pelton, Alexa Philippou, and Michael Voepel of ESPN examine the free agency market and the talk surrounding possible major acquisitions.
Voepel: This will be Diggins-Smith’s tenth WNBA season; she turns 34 in August. While on maternity leave in 2023, she was unable to play, although she is renowned for working extremely hard to maintain excellent playing condition. The more years you go by, the more concerns you have about staying productive. I’ll give Diggins-Smith the benefit of the doubt in this instance. Fit is the issue for her and the team that will sign her.
Rehashing the disagreements between her and previous Mercury coach Vanessa Nygaard is unnecessary because, in the end, Nygaard’s hire was a failure. Diggins-Smith requires a scenario where she feels appreciated and a coach she can trust. In light of this, the Chicago Sky (coached by Teresa Weatherspoon) or Atlanta Dream (coached by Tanisha Wright) might be suitable teams.
Pelton: Diggins-Smith, who starred at Notre Dame not distant from Chicago, makes the most sense for the Sky, in my opinion. The Sky need a point guard because Courtney Williams is an unrestricted free agent. Winning now will inspire them to trade picks with the Dallas Wings in the 2025 draft. Even with Kahleah Copper, Chicago is still lacking in star power with the offseason losses of Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot, and Candace Parker.
Philippou: Diggins-Smith might wind up with the Seattle Storm if not one of those two teams. They would get to reunite with Jewell Loyd, a former teammate from Notre Dame, and they could use a point guard. Additionally, Noelle Quinn, a former player, may be able to win Diggins-Smith over. Nevertheless, the Storm may decide to attempt a reunion with Jordin Canada, who, according to ESPN’s Andraya Carter, is probably moving from Los Angeles.
Which other players are you keeping a close eye on?
Philippou: Tuesday’s news that Jonquel Jones is expected to return to New York was one of the biggest things I was watching. It looks like Brionna Jones is likely to return to the Connecticut Sun after being cored, and it would be tough to imagine DeWanna Bonner not playing with the Sun, either.
Could Nneka Ogwumike take the plunge and play somewhere besides L.A. for the first time in her pro career? And there’s still a big question mark surrounding Candace Parker’s health and whether we’ve seen the last of her on the court. Satou Sabally is one of the most talented players not under contract, but as a restricted free agent for Dallas, I’d expect them to do whatever possible to ensure she returns for them.
Voepel: For two of the Sky’s free agents, the previous season proved significant. Alanna Smith, a forward, demonstrated her ability and desire to be a productive starter, while Courtney Williams demonstrated her potential as a premier player at the point guard position. Though they may not be the “headliners” among the unrestricted free agents, both have the potential to have an impact this season in Chicago or another location.
Pelton: If there is a sign-and-trade agreement for her as a key player, I’m interested to see where Canada ends up. She resigned a year ago, this time for the $74,305 veteran minimum. Now that she placed second in the Most Improved Player competition and there are many teams in need of point guards, she might earn the $241,984 supermax. Canada, who is 28 years old and in her prime, might be the second pick for those clubs after Diggins-Smith.
Which teams need to spend the most money in free agency?
Voepel: The Sparks, who have $759,799 in cap space available as of Her Hoops Stats, have a lot of things to work out. They took Canada to the core, but according to Carter, Canada is looking for a sign-and-trade. Los Angeles is undergoing a “reset” as a team after missing the playoffs three straight seasons. Raegan Pebley recently assumed the post of general manager, and Curt Miller took over as coach during the previous season. Since 2012, Ogwumike has been the cornerstone of the team and has proven to be incredibly devoted to the Sparks. Could it be that she’s ready for a change, though?.
Pelton: The Messenger. Two years have passed since Brittney Griner’s unjustified detention derailed Phoenix’s hopes to create a superteam that would have advanced to the 2021 Finals by adding Tina Charles to the core. Ever since Diggins-Smith’s dramatic split from the Mercury and Charles’s midseason exit, there has only been controversy around the team. With new management in place and continued attraction for players like Delle Donne, Phoenix offers up another chance to assemble a competitive team before Diana Taurasi announces her retirement.
Philippou: I’m interested to see what the Mystics produce. Regarding his decision to remain in Washington after the 2023 season, Delle Donne was unsure. Is it feasible that the team will embark on a completely new chapter and part ways with two essential members of the core who helped them win a championship in 2019 now that point guard Natasha Cloud is also a free agent? If so, it will be intriguing to see how the Mystics position themselves going forward, whether it be through future drafts or free agency.
Be the first to comment