The final game of the WNBA Finals felt like the perfect snapshot of the entire season. A wild mix of brilliance, exhaustion, and frustration. The Las Vegas Aces closed out the Phoenix Mercury with a commanding 4-0 sweep, securing their third championship in four years and pushing A’ja Wilson’s case for being the greatest ever. But behind the celebration, confetti was the familiar chaos that defined the year. Tired legs, shortened rotations due to injuries, and games slipping into whistle-fueled frenzy. The refs once again found themselves in the thick of it, as emotions boiled over under championship pressure.

And if you thought the drama would fade once the confetti settled? We implore you to think again. The offseason storm is already brewing because WNBA Free Agency is officially here.

As the WNBA steps into what might be its most defining offseason yet, the air feels heavy with both celebration and uncertainty. With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on October 31, the league stands on the edge of a lockout. The countdown is on, and every day without progress tightens the tension.

Whenever the WNBA returns,  whether in weeks or months, it’s almost certain that the landscape will look completely different.

Because this isn’t just another offseason. It’s a reset. Nearly 80 percent of the league’s players are set to hit free agency, waiting for a new deal that could finally deliver the financial leap they’ve been fighting for. Yes, you read that right! Well over 100 players will test the market, including the elite.

Eight of the ten All-WNBA selections are free agents. Every single first-teamer:  A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, Allisha Gray, and Kelsey Mitchell, is up for grabs. The same goes for second-team stars Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, and Nneka Ogwumike.

The wildest part? Every major player who just lit up the Finals doesn’t even have a contract for next season. The league’s best talent, the faces of its rise, are all suddenly… free to negotiate with other teams. “You’re going to need to have Plan A, Plan B and Plan 9-1-1,” Aces President Fargas said. “There is nothing normal about this offseason, so you can’t look at it from a normal lens.”

Here are a few players who could very well be on the move during the WNBA Free Agency period, names that could completely reshape the balance of power across the league.

Chelsea Gray

The Aces were so dominant, anchored by A’ja Wilson, that the rest of the league will have to climb mountains just to breathe the same air next season. But as always, greatness on the court brings drama off it. If last offseason felt like a small taste of the desert with Kelsey Plum and key bench pieces leaving, this year’s WNBA Free Agency promises a full-blown storm.

“I wanted to get [this season] right and get it right together,” Becky Hammon said. “And they’re stuck with me. I mean, wherever they go, they’re going to be stuck with me. I just believe in who they are.” While Hammon’s words suggest she hopes to keep the core of the Aces together, the reality of this offseason tells a different story.

The entire Aces core, from A’ja Wilson to Jackie Young, will enter unrestricted free agency. While they all likely want to run it back, there’s no telling how a new CBA and the open market could shake things up. After their spectacular Finals run, each player can command nearly any deal they want, and that uncertainty could reshape the team entirely.

When that happens, the Aces will have to make tough choices, and Chelsea Gray could slip down the pecking order behind stars like A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young. Given her age, she’ll likely be looking for one final big paycheck before retirement.

With two new teams, Portland and Toronto, joining the league, both could be eager to lure an experienced player like Gray, who was instrumental in getting the Aces to the Finals, with her eight crucial points in overtime during Game 5 of the semifinals.

Kayla McBride

A team that could see a mass exodus this offseason is the Minnesota Lynx. They dominated the regular season, with multiple stars putting up standout performances. With so many eyes on them, several players could explore other opportunities, chasing massive paydays under whatever terms the new CBA brings.

Sure, some might consider staying to run it back with Cheryl Reeve, but after two attempts, players might seek a change in scenario. We know some would!

Kayla McBride could be one of the players considering a move. A lethal shooter and a steady perimeter defender, she was the Lynx’s second-leading scorer during the regular season. And when the playoffs arrived, McBride elevated her game, averaging 20 points per contest and dropping a postseason career-high 31 points in Game Four of the semifinals against the Phoenix Mercury.

Despite being one of the Lynx’s longest-tenured players with five seasons under her belt, McBride is no stranger to change. She previously suited up for the Aces when they were the San Antonio Stars, and following her stellar playoff run, she enters the WNBA free agency as one of the most sought-after and valuable players in the entire class.

Brittney Griner

The Dream set a franchise record with 30 wins in Karl Smesko’s first season at the helm, thanks in large part to the impact of Alisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, and 2025 Sixth Player of the Year Naz Hillmon. Arguably, their biggest offseason acquisition was Brittney Griner, but she wasn’t able to perform at the level fans had come to expect.

Griner’s efficiency and production took a hit this season, largely due to a nagging neck injury that saw her shift to the bench. Still, she remains one of the league’s most formidable post threats, with underrated passing ability that adds value. Even if her role might need to be slightly scaled back, a contender could take a chance on her if the Dream decides not to bring her back.

Nneka Ogwumike

After a first-round exit to the Aces, Storm coach Noelle Quinn was let go, signaling major changes ahead. Seattle’s veteran core is now largely made up of free agents, leaving the team thin on experienced talent. How the franchise moves forward will hinge on the new coach, and one key name to watch in the upcoming offseason is none other than Nneka Ogwumike.

Even at 35, Nneka Ogwumike remains a beacon of consistency, now laced with a dash of innovation. A true force in the post, she can face up and shoot, drive hard to the rim, or use impeccable footwork to craft flawless close-range shots. This season, she added another layer to her game, attempting more threes than ever and showing she’s willing to stretch the floor when needed.

But Ogwumike can’t be re-signed by the Storm, having already been cored three times under the league’s rules. That opens the door for her to land elsewhere in the WNBA free agency. Perhaps one of the newer franchises will try to build around her veteran experience? For now, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Jonquel Jones

Sandy Brondello was let go by the Liberty after a disastrous title defense, signaling that a major shakeup could be coming. The 2024 champions struggled mightily against the Phoenix Mercury, and one player who fell short this season and in the postseason was center Jonquel Jones.

Look, the 2021 WNBA MVP and 2024 Finals MVP needs no introduction, but Jonquel Jones’ 2025 season was below par. Her regular-season numbers dipped, and she struggled against the Mercury, scoring just 17 points across three games. Still, there’s no denying her talent. Players her size shouldn’t be able to move, shoot, pass, rebound, or defend the way she does.

It’s no coincidence the Liberty boasts a 34-0 record whenever Jones logs a double-double. If the organization decides to head in a new direction, she’s set to be one of the hottest commodities in the upcoming WNBA free-agent class.

But you might be wondering, what about the big names like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Kelsey Mitchell? They’re free agents too, so why aren’t we diving into their moves just yet? Here’s why…

Star Players To Receive Core Designation

If the “core player” designation survives in the new CBA, some of the obvious stars will likely stay put. But if the WNBPA manages to negotiate it out, all the superstar free agents could hit the market, though that outcome seems pretty unlikely.

Some of you might be wondering, what exactly does a “core” designation mean? In the WNBA, each franchise can assign this status to one player during free agency, giving the team exclusive rights to retain her instead of letting her hit the open market. Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a player with a core designation automatically receives a one-year supermax contract offer.

So big-name stars like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Mitchell, and Chelsea Gray are all expected to be “cored.” In cases like the Aces, where the team ideally wants both Wilson and Jackie Young on the roster, a decision can be worked out if either player wants to return. As of now, there’s no indication that either is looking to leave–so for those hoping one of them might be on their way out, we’ve got some bad news.