WNBA 2025 free agency and trade tracker: Transactions, updates, and movements On Saturday, when players could formally sign contracts, the wheels of free agency were still spinning madly. Now, past members of the All-WNBA First Team.

The 2025 WNBA free agency period was nothing short of a whirlwind, living up to its promise of significant player movement and strategic maneuvering by franchises looking to gain an edge. As Saturday, February 1st, 2025, marked the official opening for players to sign contracts, the wheels of free agency were indeed spinning madly, culminating in some blockbuster trades and high-profile signings that reshaped the league’s landscape. The moves, from core designations to multi-team trades, reflected a new era of competitiveness and a willingness by general managers to make bold decisions.

The “core designation” continues to be a central and often controversial aspect of WNBA free agency. It grants a team exclusive negotiating rights with one of its unrestricted free agents by offering them a one-year super-max contract. While designed to help teams retain their stars, it often forces a player’s hand, leading to either a direct re-signing or a sign-and-trade deal. Six well-known free agents were given the core designation in the 2025 cycle, setting off a chain reaction of transactions:

1. Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty): As expected, the Liberty wasted no time in coring their reigning MVP and the centerpiece of their championship aspirations. Stewart, a generational talent, ultimately re-signed with New York, signaling her commitment to building a dynasty in Brooklyn. This move solidified the Liberty’s status as a top contender.
2. Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun): The heart and soul of the Connecticut Sun, Thomas’s versatility and relentless motor made her an indispensable asset. The Sun cored her, but the outcome was a massive sign-and-trade that sent her to the Phoenix Mercury. This was a defining move of free agency, showcasing how a core designation can be used to acquire significant assets in return, even if the player desires a new home. The Mercury, in a bold move, were clearly assembling a new powerhouse.
3. Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas Aces): The Aces, coming off a semi-final loss and looking to re-evaluate their roster, cored Plum. This move was a precursor to one of the biggest trades of the offseason: a three-team blockbuster that saw Kelsey Plum head to the Los Angeles Sparks, Jewell Loyd go to the Las Vegas Aces from Seattle, and the Seattle Storm acquire the #2 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft from Los Angeles. This trade was a seismic shift, marking the end of an era for Plum with the Aces but providing the Sparks with a dynamic, veteran guard to pair with their young stars like Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson. The Aces, in turn, landed another scoring phenom in Loyd to play alongside A’ja Wilson.
4. Satou Sabally (Dallas Wings): Despite a challenging 2024 season, the Wings opted to core Sabally, an athletic and high-upside forward. Sabally had expressed a desire for a fresh start, and the core designation allowed the Wings to orchestrate a sign-and-trade that sent her to the Phoenix Mercury, joining Alyssa Thomas. In return, Dallas acquired key pieces like DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith, along with future draft capital, as they looked to rebuild around Arike Ogunbowale.
5. Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever): The Indiana Fever’s priority was clear: keep their dynamic scoring guard. Mitchell received the core designation and ultimately re-signed with the Indiana Fever. This was a crucial piece of the puzzle for the Fever, as they sought to build a championship contender around their young core of Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, adding veteran talent to the mix.
6. Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm): The versatile and defensive-minded Williams was cored by the Seattle Storm. After some prior uncertainty about her WNBA commitment, Williams ultimately re-signed with the Seattle Storm, indicating she found an agreement that worked for both parties. She remains a vital contributor to Seattle’s roster.

Beyond the players subjected to the core designation, the 2025 free agency period saw a flurry of movement among other top unrestricted free agents, reshaping team rosters across the league.

• Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury to Atlanta Dream): One of the biggest surprises of free agency was the departure of Brittney Griner from the Phoenix Mercury after an illustrious 11-year tenure. The dominant center chose to sign with the Atlanta Dream, a move that instantly bolstered Atlanta’s frontcourt and gave them a formidable defensive presence in the paint. Griner joined the Dream alongside Brionna Jones, who also signed with Atlanta, creating a powerful new interior duo for Coach Karl Smesko.
• DeWanna Bonner (Connecticut Sun to Indiana Fever): Despite her age, the two-time WNBA Champion remained highly sought after. Bonner ultimately signed with the Indiana Fever, bringing invaluable veteran leadership, scoring, and championship experience to a young, ascendant Fever squad. Her addition, along with Natasha Howard, positioned the Fever to be a formidable force.
• Natasha Howard (Dallas Wings to Indiana Fever): Another key veteran on the move, the former Defensive Player of the Year signed with the Indiana Fever. Howard’s defensive grit, rebounding, and versatile scoring immediately addressed key needs for the Fever, significantly improving their defensive rating, which had been a weakness.
• Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm – re-signed): A former WNBA MVP and champion, Ogwumike re-entered free agency but ultimately chose to re-sign with the Seattle Storm. Her decision provided continuity and veteran presence for the Storm as they navigated a shifting landscape.
• Tina Charles (Atlanta Dream to Connecticut Sun): The veteran center, a former MVP and scoring champion, signed with the Connecticut Sun. This move provided the Sun with a powerful interior presence, particularly after the departure of Alyssa Thomas, and added a scoring punch to their frontcourt.
• Sophie Cunningham (Phoenix Mercury to Indiana Fever): The sharpshooting wing was part of the multi-team trade that brought Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to Phoenix. Cunningham landed with the Indiana Fever, adding more three-point shooting and toughness to their lineup.
• Alysha Clark (Las Vegas Aces to Seattle Storm): The veteran defender and glue-guy signed with the Seattle Storm, returning to a familiar franchise. Clark’s defensive versatility and championship experience were valuable additions for Seattle.
• Courtney Vandersloot (New York Liberty to Chicago Sky): The elite point guard and playmaker made a move to the Chicago Sky. Vandersloot’s veteran leadership and passing ability were crucial for a young Sky team built around Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese, providing the playmaking they desperately needed.
• Tiffany Hayes (Las Vegas Aces to Golden State Valkyries): The veteran guard signed with the new expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries, adding experience and scoring to their inaugural roster.

The 2025 free agency period was characterized not just by signings but by complex multi-team trades, often facilitated by core designations.

• The Phoenix Mercury Resurgence: The Mercury were arguably the biggest “winners” of free agency, landing two core players in Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally via sign-and-trade, to pair with Kahleah Copper. This instantly transformed them into a legitimate contender, creating a formidable defensive and offensive frontcourt. They paid a high price in terms of outgoing players (Griner, Cunningham, Cloud) and draft picks, but aggressively pursued a new “superteam” model.
• Las Vegas Aces’ Reshuffle: The Aces made bold moves, trading core player Kelsey Plum to the Sparks for Jewell Loyd from Seattle. This blockbuster trade, while surprising, allowed the Aces to bring in another proven scorer and adjust their roster dynamics after their championship losses. The acquisition of Loyd, who had Olympic gold chemistry with some of their current stars, positioned them to return to championship contention.
• Indiana Fever’s Ascendance: The Fever aggressively pursued veteran talent around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston. By re-signing Kelsey Mitchell and adding DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard, they built a “monster starting lineup” that addressed key weaknesses, particularly on defense. This signals a clear intent to compete for a championship immediately.
• Dallas Wings’ Rebuild: The Wings, after a disappointing 2024, utilized Satou Sabally’s core designation to acquire DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith (via trade with Indiana), along with draft capital. Under new GM Curt Miller, they are focused on building a strong defensive identity and supporting Arike Ogunbowale.
• Atlanta Dream’s New Identity: The Dream made a massive splash by signing Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, creating a formidable new frontcourt that promises to significantly improve their interior defense and scoring. This signals a clear shift in their team’s identity.

In summary, the 2025 WNBA free agency and trade period was a whirlwind of activity, with past members of the All-WNBA First Team and other highly sought-after players moving to new teams or re-committing to their franchises. The strategic use of core designations facilitated major sign-and-trades, while several unrestricted free agents reshaped the league’s competitive landscape. The transactions reflect a league in flux, with teams making aggressive moves to build championship rosters or retool for future success, setting the stage for a thrilling 2025 WNBA season.