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The 2026 WNBA regular season is almost upon us and free agency is all but wrapped up.

The New York Liberty re-signed their superstar trio of Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones after establishing themselves as early winners in free agency by signing All-Star forward Satou Sabally to a deal. New York had a disappointing first-round exit last season, but will be one of the most talented teams in the league this season. 

The Indiana Fever and Aliyah Boston agreed to a contract extension through the 2029 season. This deal -- $6.3 million over four years, per ESPN -- was made possible by a new CBA provision (the Exceptional Performance on Initial Contract provision) that helps All-WNBA players on rookie contracts sign max deals earlier. 

Elsewhere, Napheesa Collier re-signed with the Minnesota Lynx on a one-year, $1.4 million supermax, while A'ja Wilson signed what was briefly the largest contract in league history, a three-year, $5 million supermax contract to go back to the Las Vegas Aces.

The reigning champions also re-signed Jackie YoungChelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd this offseason and took a chance on Chennedy Carter, who has gone unsigned in two of the last three seasons.

Kelsey Plum, meanwhile, is headed back to the Los Angeles Sparks, but with a twist: she's taking a one-year deal significantly below the supermax to give her team "financial flexibility," according to ESPN. Her sacrifice will help the Sparks sign 10-time All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, who officially rejoined the team after a two-year sojourn in Seattle. 

Another former Storm player, Skylar Diggins, signed with the Chicago Sky, who also signed Azurá Stevens and DiJonai Carrington, and traded for Rickea Jackson and Jacy Sheldon. On the flip side, though, the Sky traded Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks. 

The Lynx and Dallas Wings were also busy. Notably, 2025 co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard left the Lynx to sign with the Wings. Between the expansion draft and free agency, the Lynx have lost six rotation players, though they have re-signed Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride

Other notable deals include:

With a new CBA agreed to by players and the league, this was the biggest free agency class in league history. Aside from Kalani Brown and Lexie Brown, every single player not on a rookie scale contract was a free agent.

2026 WNBA salaries

YearMinimum salaryAverage salarySupermax salary

2025

$66,079

$120,000

$249,244

2026

$270K -- $300K (based on years of service)

$583,000

$1.4 million

We'll be keeping track of the most notable moves right here during 2026 WNBA free agency. Below is our free-agent tracker for the top 50 players in the class.

2026 WNBA free agency tracker

RankPlayerPOSLast TeamNew TeamStatus
1 C Agreed to three-year, $5 million contract with Aces
2 F Re-signed with Lynx on a one-year supermax
3 F Re-signed with Liberty on multi-year max contract
4 F Re-signed with Mercury
5 G Re-signed with Aces
6 G Re-signed with Liberty on multi-year max contract
7 C Re-signed with Liberty
8 G Re-signed with Dream
9 F Signed with Sparks
10 G Re-signed with Fever
11 G Re-signed with Sparks
12 F Signed deal with Liberty
13 G Re-signed with Dream
14 G Re-signed with Mercury
15 G Signed with Sky
16 F Signed with Valkyries
17 G Re-signed with Lynx
18 G Re-signed with Lynx
19 F Re-signed with Storm
20 G Re-signed with Aces
21 F Re-signed with Dream
22 G Re-signed with Valkyries
23 F Signed with Wings
24 G Re-signed with Wings
25 F Re-signed with Sparks
26 F Re-signed with Mystics
27
Azurá Stevens (30)
C Signed with Sky
28 F
Unrestricted free agent
29 G Traded to the Sparks for Rickea Jackson
30 G
Unrestricted free agent
31 G Signed with Tempo
32 F Re-signed with Dream
33 G Re-signing with Aces (per ESPN )
34 G Re-signed with Liberty
35 G Re-signed with Dream
36 F Signed with Fire
37 G Signed with Tempo
38 F Re-signed with Valkyries
39 G Signed with Sky
40 C N/AWill not come to WNBA
41 G Re-signed on one-year deal
42 G Signed with Storm
43 G Re-signed with Fever
44 C Signed with Sun
45 G Re-signed with Fever
46 G Agreed to training camp deal with Liberty
47 F Signing with Lynx
48 F Re-signed with Aces
49 F Signed with Wings
50 G Signed with Sparks