MIAMI — A number of WNBA entrance workplace executives descended upon South Florida this previous weekend for the tipoff of Unequalled.
Some might have had different motives by making the journey past supporting the brand new three-on-three basketball league.
Groups can begin speaking to free brokers Tuesday although gamers can’t formally signal till Feb. 1. And Unequalled stands out as the assembly floor for some normal managers, brokers and gamers this offseason.
“There’s a ton of free agents here,” Unequalled co-founder Breanna Stewart mentioned. “It’s gonna be really interesting, the fact that there gonna been so many meetings going on. And it’s like a one-stop shop to kind of do everything.”
A few of the most attention-grabbing free brokers are taking part in Unequalled, together with Stewart herself, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas. And don’t assume the recruiting course of hasn’t began between gamers on the town.
Sabally joked she’s already obtained just a few free cups of espresso since arriving at Unequalled.
“You’re able to talk to other players directly, and you can figure out what type of resources, how important is their team to the owners? If you have an owner of a team that doesn’t prioritize the women’s team, they’re going to talk about it, and that’s a place where I would less likely like to go,” Sabally mentioned. “Definitely keeping that line of communication open because we are always competitive.”
With free company beginning Tuesday, these are the highest 10 WNBA free brokers:
1. Breanna Stewart
2024 crew: Liberty
2024 averages: 20.4 factors, 8.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Don’t fear, Liberty followers. Stewart is planning to return to Brooklyn for a 3rd season. The Liberty have designated her as a core participant and have unique negotiating rights along with her. The ahead spoke at Unequalled this weekend, too, concerning the Liberty’s objectives to win one other title in 2025.
2. Nneka Ogwumike
2024 crew: Seattle Storm
2024 averages: 16.7 factors, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Ogwumike was one of many large free agent strikes final offseason when she signed with the Storm after spending the primary 12 seasons of her WNBA profession with the Los Angeles Sparks. Seattle was bounced within the first spherical of the playoffs, however the ahead appears set on returning for one more season, based mostly on a few of her offseason feedback.
3. Kelsey Plum
2024 crew: Las Vegas Aces
2024 averages: 17.8 factors, 2.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists
The Aces designated Plum a core participant, which routinely put a one-year supermax deal, value $249,244, on the desk. Nonetheless, the guard appears prepared for a change of surroundings and could possibly be the middle of a sign-and-trade state of affairs this offseason. The Golden State Valkyries may make a run at Plum.
4. Satou Sabally
2024 crew: Dallas Wings
2024 averages: 17.9 factors, 6.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists
The Wings designated Sabally as a core participant, however she’s already indicated that her time in Dallas is over. The ahead desires to go to a franchise with higher assets than what the Wings can supply. The Liberty and Indiana Fever are two groups who may presumably land the 6-foot-4 unicorn.
5. Alyssa Thomas
2024 crew: Connecticut Solar
2024 averages: 10.6 factors, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists
It’s no shock the Solar designated the ahead as a core participant and wish her again. Whether or not the sentiments are mutual aren’t instantly identified. Thomas, a top-five finisher in every of the previous three MVP races, has expressed frustration with Connecticut’s lack of personal facilities — an imbalance that grew to become much more obvious to her after experiencing Unequalled’s assets.
6. Emma Meesseman
2024 crew: Belgium (opted out of WNBA season)
2024 averages: 23.3 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists (Olympics)
Whether or not Meesseman will return to the WNBA this season isn’t publicly identified. She hasn’t performed within the league since 2022 and, as an alternative, spent the previous two summers enjoying for the Belgium nationwide crew within the 2023 EuroBasket and 2024 Paris Olympics. If she comes again, the ahead shall be a extremely sought-after free agent given her versatile talent set, together with the flexibility to stretch the ground.
7. Kelsey Mitchell
2024 crew: Indiana Fever
2024 averages: 19.2 factors, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Mitchell was one half of arguably probably the most thrilling backcourt duo within the WNBA final season. She and Caitlin Clark helped the Fever to a formidable post-Olympic run that earned them a spot within the postseason. Indiana designated the guard as a core participant, and he or she appears poised to return.
8. Brionna Jones
2024 crew: Connecticut Solar
2024 averages: 13.7 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Jones spent the primary eight years of her WNBA profession with the Solar, serving to Connecticut to 6 straight semifinal appearances. She has already been made a core participant twice and may’t obtain the designation once more, making her an unrestricted free agent. The middle may comply with former Solar coach Stephanie White to Indiana. Regardless, the crew that indicators her will get a dependable and constant put up participant.
9. Brittney Griner
2024 crew: Phoenix Mercury
2024 averages: 17.8 factors, 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists
Griner has performed her total WNBA profession with the Mercury, and it doesn’t look like that may change. The middle known as Phoenix “home” when she signed a one-year deal final offseason. It appears doubtless Griner shall be a Mercury lifer.
10. DeWanna Bonner
2024 crew: Connecticut Solar
2024 averages: 15 factors, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists
The Solar are, definitely, probably the most attention-grabbing crew this offseason. Not solely did they lose White, however their trio of stars all are free brokers. Bonner is the oldest — she turns 38 in August — however stays one of many WNBA’s most dependable gamers. Thomas, Bonner’s fiancée, might get caught in Connecticut due to the core designation, which may maintain the ahead there, too.
