One of the most dynamic periods of the WNBA offseason is coming to an end as free agents are signing contrasts with their teams at the start of February. This year was particularly exciting as a huge crop of the league’s stars – including Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd, Brittney Griner and more – were able to test the waters of free agency, some for the first time.
As with any period of growth and upheaval, women’s basketball is in the middle of a truly critical moment. TV ratings are up, attendance is way up; Unrivaled is pulling in impressive viewership each week in Miami, and AU Pro Basketball kicks off its newest season in Nashville this month.
On top of that, some teams are able to offer athletes more than others. In 2025 there appears to be a player emphasis on getting what they deserve – and it’s been a long time coming.
Here are five of the biggest shake-ups that came out of the free-agency window:
1) Kelsey Plum to the Sparks and Jewell Loyd to the Aces
The Los Angeles Sparks, Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm entered into a blockbuster three-way deal that ultimately might see the Storm coming out on top (depending on how the team the 2025 draft pick it receives). Plum will depart the Aces for the Sparks, Loyd will leave the Storm for the Aces, while the Storm will snag the second overall draft pick (which could end up being Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles), Li Yueru, and a 2026 first-rounder.
The Sparks will also receive the No 9 overall pick this year and a 2026 second-round pick from the Storm. In addition to Loyd, the Aces get the No 13 pick in the 2025 draft.
The addition of Plum to the Sparks is a massive win for the team, who will also welcome back Cameron Brink after an ACL tear early in the 2024 season. The Sparks’ backcourt was dismal last season, and Plum will inject much-needed energy and superior defense that could even lift the team into title contention.
Loyd is a powerhouse shooter when she’s on fire, but in recent seasons she’s struggled with efficiency. Still, it’s clear she has plenty to give, and playing alongside A’ja Wilson might be the boost she needs.
If anyone wins this trade, it’s the Storm, especially if they bring Miles in this year. The team already boasts a healthy crop of young talent and Miles will fit right in. It’s difficult to imagine any other trade scenarios that would have given the team a shot at drafting a player who so efficiently runs the floor – something the Storm definitely need.
Grade for the Sparks B
Grade for the Aces B-minus
Grade for the Storm A
2) Brittney Griner trades Phoenix for Atlanta
One big surprise that came out of free agency is Griner – who has played with the Phoenix Mercury since she was drafted by the team with the first overall pick in 2013 and who previously seemed unlikely to ever walk away – deciding to join the Dream. Playing in Unrivaled has changed Griner’s perspective, as the 6ft 9in center told reporters in Miami, and she ultimately decided to swap the southwest for the southeast.
Griner will give the Dream the defensive anchor they lack and should help propel the team above last year’s 15-25 record. She will likely replace Tina Charles as the starting center and will offer veteran leadership for youngsters like Rhyne Howard, a former No 1 overall pick. Overall, this is a good deal that will help the Mercury free up cap space for Satou Sabally while helping the Dream build their defensive prowess.
Grade for the Dream B
3) Satou Sabally to the Mercury and NaLyssa Smith to the Wings
An absolutely massive trade between the Mercury, Dallas Wings and Indiana Fever was pulled off seemingly without a hitch. The Wings will send Sabally, who revealed she had already played her last game with the team mid-way through free agency discussion, to the Mercury. Smith will leave the Indiana Fever for the Wings, and the Fever will add Sophie Cunningham to their own roster.
The Wings also gained point guard Ty Harris, the reserved rights to Kiki Herbert Harrigan and the No 8 pick from this year’s draft. In addition to Cunningham, the Fever gained Kalani Brown, the No 19 pick in this year’s draft while reserving rights to Sevgi Uzun.
On top of that, the Wings have also added DiJonai Carrington from the Sun, the No 12 overall draft pick this year, and the right to swap picks with the Sun in next year’s draft.
The Mercury came out on top with this deal. Sabally was the most sought-after free agent this year, and she’d previously made it clear that she wanted to join a team with top-tier facilities. But with this specific trade, everyone is a winner: each team received players they need and key draft picks.
Grade for the Wings A
Grade for the Mercury A-plus
Grade for the Fever B
4) Alyssa Thomas joins the Mercury
Thomas, an 11-year vet of the Connecticut Sun, jumped ship from the northeastern team and will play for the Mercury this year (and it’s believed Phoenix are doing their best to land Thomas’ fiancee, DeWanna Bonner, from the Sun as well). In exchange, Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen will join the Sun, who will also get this year’s No 12 draft pick.
The move is a powerful one for the Mercury, who need Thomas’ defensive skills. It also appears to indicate that head coach Nate Tibbets is putting energy and effort into building a team of his own design, and one that Thomas will be a key component of.
With the loss of Carrington and Thomas, the Sun have officially lost their entire starting line-up (as well as former head coach Stephanie White, who went to the Fever last year) ahead of this year’s draft. This is an interesting moment for the team, who made it to the playoffs in 2024, and their rebuild will be worth watching. Cloud was third in the league for assists per game last year (Thomas was second), making this feel like an even trade.
Grade for the Mercury A
Grade for the Sun B
5) Natasha Howard returns to the Fever
Free agency also brought about the return of Natasha Howard to the Fever, something fans of Caitlin Clark’s team should be pretty excited about. The three-time champion was drafted by the Fever as the fifth overall pick in 2014.
Howard will definitely give a veteran boost to the team’s younger roster, including Clark and Aliyah Boston. She spent two seasons with the Fever under White before moving on to the Minnesota Lynx, the Storm, the New York Liberty and the Wings, and she seems happy about returning back to her original basketball home. The Fever will also benefit from her defensive presence – and her championship pedigree.
Grade for the Fever A
