It’s almost time for WNBA free agency to begin again. The annual signing period will get underway on Jan. 21, when teams are allowed to begin negotiating with players. Nothing can be made official until the moratorium comes to an end on Feb. 1, however, and any team caught breaking those rules will be subject to a fine.
For much of the league’s history, free agency essentially didn’t exist, at least in any meaningful sense. That all changed with the new collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified in 2020 and gave players far more power and control over their careers. Now, once again, we have a star-studded free agent class.
Ahead of all the action, here’s a look at the 10 best free agents on the market this winter. For a full list, go here.
- Breanna Stewart
2022 team: New York Liberty
Status: Cored
No surprise here. Though Stewart’s shooting abandoned her in the playoffs, she is the reigning MVP and coming off one of the best seasons of her career. Her 23 points per game were a career-high and the 10th-best scoring season of all time, and she became the fourth player ever to average at least 20 points, nine rebounds and three assists. A versatile force on both sides of the ball, Stewart is, at worst, a top-two player in the league. The Liberty have wisely used the core designation on Stewart, giving them exclusive negotiating rights. - Jonquel Jones
2022 team: New York Liberty
Status: Unrestricted
Jones got off to a slow start in 2023 as she worked her way back from a foot injury and adjusted to a new role and new surroundings in New York. Once she did, she reminded everyone why she’s a former MVP. She averaged a double-double after the All-Star break and then set a new WNBA record for the most consecutive double-doubles in playoff history with eight. Jones was by far the team’s best player in the postseason, and the Liberty should be eager to bring her back. They have already cored Stewart, though, so they may face competition on Jones. - Skylar Diggins-Smith
2022 team: Phoenix Mercury
Status: Unrestricted
Diggins-Smith ended up sitting out all of last season after giving birth to her second child, and she accused the Mercury of preventing her from using team facilities or resources while she was on maternity leave. It’s no surprise, then, that she’ll be looking for a new team this winter. Whoever ends up signing Diggins-Smith will be getting one of the best, and most competitive, guards in the league. She made All-WNBA First Team in both 2021 and 2022, and is more than capable of adjusting her game toward scoring or playmaking depending on the situation. - Satou Sabally
2022 team: Dallas Wings
Status: Restricted (qualifying offer extended)
Sabally’s talent and potential have never been in doubt, but her ability to stay healthy has been. Last season, she finally put everything together and took the leap to stardom. In the process, she won Most Improved Player and led the Wings to their first playoff series win since 2009. Sabally’s athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball make her a unique talent. In 2023, she joined Candace Parker as the only players in league history to average at least 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game over the course of a season. As a restricted free agent, the Wings will have the chance to match any offer she receives, and as such she’ll almost certainly be back in Dallas. - Nneka Ogwumike
2022 team: Los Angeles Sparks
Status: Unrestricted
Ogwumike was back to her best last season, delivering her finest summer since she won MVP back in 2016. Alas, she was not able to drag the Sparks into the playoffs almost single-handedly, but it was not for a want of effort. The only other player to finish in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding, steals and field goal percentage was Finals MVP A’ja Wilson. It would be a surprise to see Ogwumike leave the only franchise she has ever known, but other teams will surely be interested in one of the league’s most effective frontcourt stars. - Brittney Griner
2022 team: Phoenix Mercury
Status: Unrestricted
Griner’s return to action last summer after missing all of 2022 while wrongfully detained in Russia was one of the most inspiring sports stories of the year. Just playing again was impressive enough, but Griner was an All-Star starter and finished second in field goal percentage and third in blocks. There’s reason to believe she’ll be even better in 2024 with a full and normal offseason to rejuvenate her body and mind. While Griner is an unrestricted free agent, a return to the Mercury, the only team she’s ever known, seems likely. - Elena Delle Donne
2022 team: Washington Mystics
Status: Cored
The two-time MVP was once again hampered by injuries last season, though the “good” news was that it was ankle issues and not her back. When she was on the floor, she was as efficient as ever, narrowly missing out on another 50/40/90 season, but did not make quite her usual impact in other areas of the game. A report from The Next earlier this month indicated Delle Donne was likely to leave the Mystics, but the team has used the core designation on her to gain exclusive negotiating rights. At the very least, the Mystics will now be able to sign-and-trade her if she makes it clear she doesn’t want to stay. - Brionna Jones
2022 team: Connecticut Sun
Status: Unrestricted
Jones’ 2023 season came to an unfortunate end in June when she tore her Achilles tendon, and it’s still unclear when she’ll be back on the court. Despite the injury, she’ll have no shortage of suitors who are willing to play the long game with the All-Star center. Ever since her breakout campaign in the bubble in 2020, Jones has established herself as an elite low-post scorer and rebounder capable of starting or coming off the bench. Prior to getting hurt last season, she was averaging 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds on 57.1% shooting for the Sun. - DeWanna Bonner
2022 team: Connecticut Sun
Status: Unrestricted
Bonner’s longevity and durability are becoming the stuff of legend. The 36-year-old veteran did not miss a single game last season while still playing over 30 minutes a night. She also had her best scoring season since 2020 by averaging 17.4 points per game, the 14th best mark in the league. While efficiency has never been her calling card, Bonner’s ability to create her own shot from anywhere on the floor is a valuable skill, and she remains a tough, versatile defender. Bonner is unrestricted, but it would be a shock if she actually left the Sun and her fianceé, Alyssa Thomas. - Candace Parker
2022 team: Las Vegas Aces
Status: Unrestricted
Parker’s future remains in doubt, as she’s openly discussed retirement for a number of years and was limited to 18 games last season due to a broken foot. Parker said in the fall she’d only return in 2024 if she’s fully healthy, and there’s been no word since then. If she does decide to play, every team would be interested in signing her. Even well past her prime, she is still an impactful player thanks to her unique combination of skill, size and IQ. Off the floor, her experience and leadership is invaluable in the locker room.
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