WNBA Offseason: A Comprehensive Look Ahead

The WNBA's offseason is set to unfold over the next 46 days, leading up to the league's 30th season, which begins on May 8. Two new expansion teams must establish their rosters, while over 100 free agents, including former MVPs A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, will determine their summer destinations. Additionally, new talents will be chosen in the upcoming college draft.

Last week, after extensive negotiations, the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association reached a new collective bargaining agreement, described as 'transformational' for the future of women's basketball.

Commissioner Cathy Englebert assured reporters that the delay in finalizing the agreement would not impact the announced opening date. Training camps are scheduled to commence on April 19, with preseason games starting on April 25.

Prior to opening night, the league must navigate a historic offseason, including an expansion draft and a significant free agency period. Official scheduling hinges on the ratification of the new CBA, which could take several weeks. However, a memo from late February indicated that the expansion draft, free agency, and college draft would occur between April 1 and 13.

Sources have informed ESPN that neither the Toronto Tempo nor the Portland Fire have received specific guidelines on the expansion draft, set for April 6. It is expected to resemble the Golden State Valkyries' expansion draft from December 2024.

The existing 13 teams will be permitted to protect a group of players, likely five. The Tempo and Fire will alternate selections from the unprotected players until they each form a roster of 12. Teams will finalize their player protections from April 1 to 5, with a coin flip determining the first selection in the expansion draft. The non-first-picking team will receive the No. 6 pick in the college draft.

This year's expansion draft presents a unique challenge, as front offices navigate the selection of free agents. In 2024, only one unrestricted free agent could be drafted, but this year most available players are unrestricted, complicating the selection process.

Free agency will begin the day after the expansion draft, with qualifying offers for restricted and core-eligible players made between April 7 and 8. Official negotiations will commence on April 9, and players can sign contracts starting April 12. This offseason is poised to be particularly active, with over 100 players entering free agency, from MVPs like Wilson and Stewart to key players such as Allisha Gray and Kahleah Copper.

Compensation for players will see significant increases, with the salary cap rising to $7 million and the supermax salary to $1.4 million. The average salary is expected to be around $600,000, while the minimum salary will exceed $300,000.

Some executives believe the compressed timeline may lead to fewer player movements and shorter contracts, while others anticipate that the increased financial opportunities will stimulate significant changes.

The WNBA draft is scheduled for April 13 in New York City, coinciding with the ongoing free agency period. The draft will consist of three rounds, expanding to a total of 45 picks due to the addition of the two new teams. Each team must maintain 12 players on their roster, and they can include two development players not counted against the salary cap.

The Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 pick for the second consecutive year, with predictions suggesting they may select UConn's Azzi Fudd. As a result, many coaches may not finalize their rosters until just a week before training camps begin, with free agency concluding on April 20.

With training camps opening on April 19 and the season starting on May 8, the coming weeks will be a flurry of activity for everyone involved in the WNBA.