I think Jordin Canada and Alanna Smith can help teams, and should be reasonably priced upgrades for almost any team.
SDS is always a question because she will be unhappy. (She's never been happy so why expect that to change?)
The other big names are likely to stay put, it seems. I can't see Nneka, for example, going anywhere, but you never know. Everything has a shelf life.
The big 3 are nearing the end of their careers. It would be interesting if all three of Griner, SDS and Delle Donne all retire in the same year. Wherever SDS lands might be her final destination.
Free agency can cause massive change, as we saw last season when the sub-.500 New York Liberty transformed overnight into a Commissioner’s Cup champion and WNBA Finals participant. But that’s more of the exception than the rule. Nevertheless, every team is approaching this offseason with the expectation of getting better.
The overarching goal of 11 teams is to catch up with the Las Vegas Aces, which could become even more challenging given the Aces have realistic avenues for improvement even after winning back-to-back titles. What that path looks like for each team varies, as do their timelines. As we approach the official start of free agency, let’s take a look at what each team needs to address and realistic paths to achieving those objectives.
WNBA free agency tiers: Where do Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Skylar Diggins-Smith rank? Atlanta Dream: Veteran point guard
The Dream have the best set of wings outside of Las Vegas, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, as well as a frontcourt All-Star Cheyenne Parker. They desperately need a floor general to organize their offense and settle them during swings in the run of play. This team blew a 20-point lead in its playoff opener after losing four games to lottery-bound opponents in one month despite holding double-digit leads. It was hoped Danielle Robinson could be that veteran stop-gap, which is why Atlanta was willing to trade another promising young wing, Kristy Wallace, to acquire her.
However, the Dream enter 2024 once again with a hole at point guard. This is the deepest position in the free-agent market. Skylar Diggins-Smith headlines the list, a 2021 Olympian who was a first-team All-WNBA selection during her last two seasons. She offers the steadiness, scoring punch and point-of-attack defense Atlanta needs from its lead guard, and she fits in with the Dream’s foul-drawing ethos — no team got to the line more often in 2023. Furthermore, Atlanta presents Diggins-Smith with the chance for high-level success while being able to offer her a max contract.
The Dream also have the draft assets and young players to trade for a point guard. Let’s say the New York Liberty try to move on from Courtney Vandersloot to bring more defense into their backcourt — Vandersloot would be a perfect addition to the Atlanta roster if the front office is willing to go big for this season. Chicago Sky: Forward depth
The Sky are in a weird limbo this offseason. They don’t have enough high-level talent to realistically contend and they don’t own their draft pick in 2025, making it unrealistic to tank. Additionally, there hasn’t been a strong track record of premier free agents — Candace Parker’s homecoming excluded — choosing to play in Chicago.
That said, if we assume Teresa Weatherspoon and company are trying to win in her rookie campaign as head coach, the most gaping hole on the roster is at the power forward position. Dana Evans, Marina Mabrey, Kahleah Copper and Elizabeth Williams should fill in the other four slots, but with Alanna Smith an unrestricted free agent, the Sky either need to retain her or find another power forward. Isabelle Harrison could theoretically fill that spot, but the fit with her and Williams doesn’t seem offensively potent enough given both players’ lack of shooting range.
There are technically several All-Star power forwards available in free agency, including the Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones and the Sparks’ Nneka Ogwumike, but all seem likely to return to their current teams — and the Mystics’ Elena Delle Donne’s returning to Chicago doesn’t seem probable. The Sky are probably better off searching for another second-draft candidate (aka buying low on a former first-round pick who hasn’t yet stuck on a roster). Emily Engstler, anyone? Connecticut Sun: Retention
After a significant roster overhaul in 2023, combined with an in-season makeover when Bri Jones tore her Achilles, the Sun could use some continuity. Bring back Jones, DeWanna Bonner and Rebecca Allen, hope for internal improvement from DiJonai Carrington, Leigha Brown and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, and this is a damn good team. An upgrade on Natisha Hiedeman would be nice, though the Sun perhaps already have that player, Tyasha Harris. I’m pretty bullish on Connecticut as is. Dallas Wings: Two-way point guard
The Wings played most of their regular season with Crystal Dangerfield as the starter, but they bumped her in the playoffs when the 5-foot-5 point guard was hunted by opposing offenses. Veronica Burton was too shot-averse to be the answer at the one, and Odyssey Sims wasn’t quite good enough on either end despite her veteran pedigree.
So where does that leave Dallas? The Wings don’t have the cap space to compete for Natasha Cloud and Jordin Canada on the open market (and Diggins-Smith is a no-go considering her history with the organization). They gave up on Harris last year, who seems like a perfect fit now, and it’s unrealistic to expect the draft to produce a playoff-ready point guard, outside of potentially Caitlin Clark. I would try to move on from Natasha Howard to get the cap space for Cloud/Canada, re-sign Satou Sabally to play power forward and let a combination of Maddy Siegrist, Awak Kuier, plus a rookie from the 2024 draft fill in the remaining forward minutes. That’s easier said than done, but that’s Dallas’ problem with three of its starters having max (or near-max, in Teaira McCowan’s case) contracts, and Sabally is up for a new deal. Indiana Fever: Star wing
Other than Las Vegas, Indiana has the least offseason work to do. Assuming Clark turns pro, the Fever have their full starting lineup in place for 2024: Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston. They also have a full second unit under contract, Erica Wheeler, Grace Berger, Kristy Wallace, Victoria Vivians and Victaria Saxton. A veteran big could come in handy to back up Boston or occasionally play next to her (Kalani Brown could be good here), but Indiana’s main area it could upgrade is on the wing. Frankly, the Fever should aim high. Offer the max to Sabally and DeWanna Bonner, or see what it would take to pry Kahleah Copper from Chicago. Boston is an All-Star already, and Clark could be one as a rookie, too. The time for Indiana is now. go-deeper
WNBA 2024 mock draft: Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and Cameron Brink headline Las Vegas Aces: Nothing
The Aces can realistically retain their entire playoff core (meaning Candace Parker is not included) and still have enough money for a max salary player. The 2023 offseason proved that high-level free agents have no problem stacking talent — Parker and Alysha Clark willingly came to a super-team because of the positive player experience in Las Vegas and the potential to win. go-deeper
Las Vegas Aces headed for dynasty three-peat ... especially if they add Jonquel Jones
In the event no max players take their offers, the Aces could still use some veteran reinforcements at point guard and center. Chelsea Gray said on the “Real Ones” podcast that she broke her fifth metatarsal in her left foot during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals. She said she’ll be ready to start the 2024 season, but it would likely behoove Las Vegas to limit her minutes during the regular season. Kiah Stokes’ right foot is still in a walking boot after she missed Game 4, and with Parker’s unknown status, the Aces could genuinely use another big. The good thing is Las Vegas doesn’t need any additions to its playoff rotation, so it doesn’t have to be picky with these signings. Re-signing veteran Nneka Ogwumike would send a strong signal about the team culture the Sparks want. (Adam Pantozzi / NBAE via Getty Images) Los Angeles Sparks: Re-sign Nneka Ogwumike
New general manager Raegan Pebley made it clear the Sparks are prioritizing their own locker room during this offseason, which means they could look very similar to its 2023 iteration, but ideally with better health. L.A. saw career years last season for Jordin Canada and Karlie Samuelson and even veteran Layshia Clarendon, suggesting that player improvement is a realistic goal under coach Curt Miller. Combined with healthy seasons for Stephanie Talbot, Lexie Brown and Nia Clouden, the Sparks could hit the next step in their growth trajectory without bringing in a big-name free agent.
Then again, L.A. made a big splash in last year’s market by bringing in Talbot and Azurá Stevens and is positioned to do so once more. The front office could also use its cap space to add draft capital by taking on veteran contracts, as it did last year with Dearica Hamby and Jasmine Thomas.
Because of their commitment to building methodically, the Sparks aren’t in a rush to expedite their playoff push. The one task they have this offseason is to re-sign Ogwumike. If they want to prove they have a winning, player-friendly culture, keeping the face of the franchise is a must. Minnesota Lynx: Point guard
The Lynx haven’t had stability at point guard since Lindsay Whalen retired, and that might continue considering how many teams need to sign a point guard this offseason. They should be in the mix for Diggins-Smith, Cloud and Canada, and they can sell playing next to All-WNBA forward Napheesa Collier as well as rising talent Diamond Miller. However, they could still be left standing during point guard musical chairs.
In that instance, Minnesota just needs more talent. Despite making the playoffs, the Lynx had the third-worst net rating in the WNBA. Beyond Collier and Kayla McBride, who is guaranteed to be a positive impact player in 2024? New York Liberty: Perimeter defense
Sandy Brondello talked about one-on-one defense as the Liberty’s undoing multiple times during their postseason run. Some of that is on the players to be better, but the three primary guards for New York are all offense-first players: Vandersloot, Sabrina Ionescu and Marine Johannès. Johannès won’t be back in 2024, so there are minutes to be had for a player who can provide some point-of-attack defense for this title contender.
Diggins-Smith, Canada and Cloud again come to mind as the obvious choices, but they are all well out of New York’s price range, unless the Liberty part ways with a veteran like Vandersloot or Betnijah Laney. Barring such a drastic change, it might be a quiet offseason in New York. Phoenix Mercury: Depth
The Mercury have a pretty capable starting five with Moriah Jefferson, Diana Taurasi, Sophie Cunningham, Brianna Turner and Brittney Griner. The problem was when any of those players were out, Michaela Onyenwere was the only useful sub. Phoenix needs some legitimate depth, which could be easier to acquire now that Diggins-Smith’s salary is off the books. Nia Coffey, Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith and the Samuelson sisters are all quality veterans who wouldn’t break the bank for the Mercury. We don’t know a lot about Nate Tibbetts’ coaching philosophy yet, so it’s unclear what kind of players Phoenix will be targeting, but the Mercury have to expand their rotation. Griner and Taurasi — Taurasi especially — aren’t at the point in their careers where they can be relied upon for 40 games. Seattle Storm: Frontcourt scorer
By signing Jewell Loyd to an extension at the end of the 2023 regular season, the Storm seemed to signal that they want to compete in 2024. Given that Loyd is the highest-volume perimeter scorer in the WNBA — she set the all-time scoring record in 2023 — Seattle needs to pair her with a big who can also provide some offense. Bri Jones would be a tremendous fit alongside Loyd as a pick-and-roll partner and individual post threat. The big names listed earlier (Stewart, J. Jones, Delle Donne and Ogwumike) would thrive next to Loyd, but Jones seems like the most realistic target. The beauty of Ezi Magbegor is that she can play the four or five, giving the Storm flexibility in signing another post. Washington Mystics: Offense
The Mystics could completely transform their identity this offseason. Two franchise stalwarts in Cloud and Delle Donne are unrestricted free agents. Another Mystics legend Kristi Toliver will be coaching for the Phoenix Mercury. The primary players under contract for Washington are Brittney Sykes, Ariel Atkins and Shakira Austin, all of whom are defense-first, so the Mystics could use some scorers.
Courtney Williams could help share the ballhandling with Sykes while providing a pull-up shooting threat. If she’s available, Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson would be a stellar draft pick as another pure scorer who can play next to Austin in the frontcourt. An Aerial Powers reunion could even make sense. Powers thrived in Washington and is a good playmaker, plus she’d have a larger role this time, which is partly why she left in the first place. If the Mystics want to lean into Sykes as the lead guard, they could go after shooters like Karlie Samuelson or Rachel Banham. This also could be a good spot for a Marina Mabrey trade; Mabrey’s an efficient offensive player who would benefit from the defensive cover of Sykes, Atkins and Austin.
Curious where she wants to go? New York isn't an option if they bring back Jonquel. Don't think Connecticut has the cap space if Bri Jones and Bonner are brought back. Does she head west, possibly to Vegas on a pay cut? Or Minnesota if she's close with Reeve? Back to Chicago?
with NY having officially cored Stewie (🫠), we now await what coring moves Connecticut (BJones), Washington (EDD or even Cloud), and maybe others (LA?) make or not… or, if there’s another meaningful January trade to be had like last year’s NY-Dal-Conn blockbuster.
Last Edit: Jan 11, 2024 18:41:01 GMT -5 by Deleted
With Delle Donne wanting out of DC, should we expect her to be cored? Or does Thibault let her walk and they core Cloud?
I would core Cloud and let EDD try to find a title.
I don't know where she fits, though, as she's a four on defense -- and not a particularly good one -- and a three/four on offense. The main title contenders at this point are Las Vegas, which doesn't need her, and New York, which already has Breanna Stewart to fill that role. Dallas? No fit there either. Connecticut? Maybe, but Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas fill up the spots EDD would likely play.
Teams need guards right now, or someone who can guard the athletic fours and fives like Stewart and A'ja Wilson. EDD is neither of those things.
Whether she stays or goes, Washington isn't beating Las Vegas, so why keep her if she wants to be somewhere else?
There's the possibility of Delle Donne going to Vegas IF Parker retires. Only other team would be Minnesota if they stick with Collier and Dorka as the starters.
I would core Cloud and let EDD try to find a title.
i now agree with coring Cloud. fairly durable two-way PGs are not easy to find. even if Cloud would still want out, Washington would get some good trade offers for her. you’d be okay with Cloud accepting the one-year supermax that coring her would potentially come with, since she really has become a valuable player. Cloud’s also marginally younger than EDD by at least two if not three years.
meanwhile, even though Mike Thibault has coached EDD, i think as GM he’d be willing to pull the trigger on not coring her and effectively letting her walk. it wouldn’t be a natural decision of course, but i think he’s the type who would be willing to make it, is what i’m saying.
you don’t want to risk letting both players walk though, if you already know both players likely walk if you simply let 'em.
the Thibault’s said “let’s run it back!” where the “it” in question = another 5th- to 8th-place finish…
…because that’s what would happen if she were to simply sign the QO like she certainly could. while going through these free agency rumors about her, it seemed like this was the one avenue in which she’d potentially choose to stay.
Last Edit: Jan 14, 2024 12:45:31 GMT -5 by Deleted