Imago
Photo credit: Chris Poss | The Next
Imago
Photo credit: Chris Poss | The Next
The CBA agreement has unleashed all the WNBA franchises. Unexpected trades are taking center stage, and it seems the Seattle Storm faithful might no longer get to see one of their star forwards and a 2025 All-Star play for their franchise in the upcoming season.
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The window to make moves is short this year, with less than three weeks until preseason. The Seattle Storm might have to delve into the free agency market, according to Roberta Rodrigues.
The Brazilian reporter expects veteran forward Gabby Williams to leave the Seattle franchise, with the 29-year-old already an unrestricted free agent. Williams could explore other WNBA offers or extend her stay in Europe, as she is currently playing for Turkish side Fenerbahce.
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Gabby Williams is expected to leave the Seattle Storm, multiple sources have told me. #WNBAFreeAgency
— Roberta 🏳️🌈 (@robertawbb) April 10, 2026
Gabby Williams has had a brilliant last 12 months, earning her first All-Star honors in 2025 before helping Fenerbahce win the Turkish Super League and the Turkish Cup this year. The 29-year-old led the WNBA in steals per game (2.3) and also earned a spot on the All-Defensive First Team in 2025.
The two-time National Champion with the UConn Huskies is unsure of her future, though, after her Seattle contract ended. The 29-year-old is courting widespread interest from other WNBA teams, as she continues to impress in Europe. She is linked to the Las Vegas Aces while reuniting with several of her former teammates, like Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Marine Johannès in New York.
Williams has been vocal about the WNBA prioritization rule that warrants players to end overseas commitments before playing in the league, and this could be one big reason behind her hesitation to commit to a new WNBA contract. The 29-year-old already missed one WNBA season because of her French National Team commitments in 2022, and could prioritize European basketball after all the recent success with Fenerbahce.
This rumor only adds to Seattle’s offseason troubles, especially with other star players being linked with departures as well.
Seattle facing a potential leadership crisis ahead of the new season
As Gabby Williams gets linked with a departure, the Seattle Storm are facing the risk of losing several roster cornerstones in the current offseason. Head coach Noelle Quinn’s exit was the first straw. 10-time All-Star and WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike has already posted a heartfelt goodbye on her social media handles, and another veteran could follow Ogwumike.
Ogwumike and Williams are pillars at Seattle. However, rumors are also linking point guard Skylar Diggins with a move away from the Storm, with the Chicago Sky interested in the veteran. This could deal a tremendous blow to the Storm and their aspirations for the 2026 WNBA season.
While this year’s draft class includes several top guard talents like Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Kiki Rice, and Raven Johnson, Skylar Diggins represents a proven WNBA talent with several franchise-level and league-level records to her name. She became the first player to record 400 or more assists with three different franchises, while also breaking the Seattle record for most assists in a single season after providing 257 times in 2024.
Seattle has two first-round draft picks this year and must use those wisely, especially if Diggins joins Williams and Ogwumike on the departure list. Normally, the franchise could have explored the option of picking UCLA star Lauren Betts to compensate for Ogwumike’s exit.
But Diggins’ potential departure could see Seattle prioritize Olivia Miles or Azzi Fudd. Alternatively, they can use the draft picks to get players who can help them trade for experienced stars. Seattle has a lot to figure out, and there is not much time left before the preseason begins.
Written by
Edited by
Pranav Venkatesh