The WNBA is staring at a seismic offseason. Nearly 80 percent of the league is headed for free agency, with more than 100 players, including its biggest stars, ready to test the market while waiting on a new CBA that could finally change the financial landscape of the league.

This free agency cycle is about as loaded as it gets. Eight of the ten All-WNBA selections are hitting the market, including the entire first team. A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas, Allisha Gray, and Kelsey Mitchell are all available. And it does not stop there. Second-team standouts Jackie Young, Sabrina Ionescu, and Nneka Ogwumike are also set to hit the market.

This does not automatically mean the league’s biggest stars are about to be scooped up by new teams. In fact, there is a strong chance most of these names stay right where they are. It is hard to picture A’ja Wilson wearing anything other than a Las Vegas Aces jersey next season, just as it feels almost unthinkable to imagine Napheesa Collier anywhere but with the Minnesota Lynx.

That said, this offseason will not be all about familiar faces staying put. There are plenty of stars who are almost certain to change homes, and some of them are among the league’s biggest names. So, let’s get into it.

1. Arike Ogunbowale

Few players mean more to their franchise than Arike Ogunbowale has meant to the Dallas Wings. Over seven seasons, she has become the heartbeat of the organization. But this offseason could finally put that relationship to the test. A four-time WNBA All-Star and the league’s 2020 scoring champion, Ogunbowale remains one of the most dangerous scorers in the game and a player any franchise would build around.

But last season may have quietly marked the beginning of a transition in Dallas. The Wings showed signs of becoming a Paige Bueckers team earlier than many expected. Ogunbowale, meanwhile, endured one of the toughest campaigns of her career, posting career lows in scoring at 15.5 points per game and field-goal percentage at 36.4, while knee injuries restricted her to only 29 games.

There is also a strong chance Dallas uses the No. 1 pick in the upcoming WNBA draft to bring in Azzi Fudd, a move that would instantly lock up the Wings’ backcourt for the next decade. If that duo can stay healthy, it is the kind of pairing that would give defenses nightmares. That scenario likely opens the door for Arike Ogunbowale to move on, with both Toronto and Portland shaping up as very tempting expansion draft destinations.

2. Sophie Cunningham

One season was all it took. Sophie Cunningham became a fan favorite almost instantly after arriving in Indiana, winning hearts through her willingness to stand up for teammates. Her chemistry with Caitlin Clark and Lexie Hull even produced the now-famous “Tres Leches” trio. But, despite all of that, her time in Indiana may not last as long as many fans would hope.

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Outside of Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and Makayla Timpson, the Indiana Fever are staring at a wide-open WNBA free agency. Nearly the entire roster is available, and that includes Sophie Cunningham. With Indiana expected to prioritize locking up Kelsey Mitchell first, Cunningham’s future with the Fever is anything but certain.

“The next team I play for, I want a bigger contract, so then I can buy a house and be homey and cozy,” Sophie Cunningham said on her podcast. “It could be anywhere.” And that is where things get interesting. The Indiana Fever could still match her salary demands, but if they cannot, Cunningham suddenly becomes an ideal face for one of the league’s new expansion teams looking to connect with fans quickly.

3. Jonquel Jones

Few players in the league carry Jonquel Jones’ level of pedigree. The 2021 WNBA MVP and 2024 Finals MVP needs no introduction. She was a cornerstone of the New York Liberty’s historic championship run in 2024, a player who tilted big moments in their favor. But this season told a very different story.

Her regular-season production dipped, and the struggles became impossible to ignore in the WNBA playoffs against the Phoenix Mercury, where she totaled just 17 points across three games, a far cry from the standard she has set throughout her career. Ankle injuries played a major role, forcing her to miss 13 regular-season games, but even when she was on the floor, it was clear she was not quite at her best.

One of the biggest reasons Jonquel Jones left the Connecticut Sun for the New York Liberty was the chance to work with Sandy Brondello. With Brondello now heading to Toronto, Jones instantly becomes one of the most obvious names who could follow her north. That said, it would be a mistake to rule out teams like the Dallas Wings, who are in desperate need of size and interior presence. And if you are looking for size with championship pedigree, it does not get much better than JJ.

4. Nneka Ogwumike

The loss to the Aces did more than end Seattle’s season. It triggered a full-on reset. Head coach Noelle Quinn was let go, and suddenly the Seattle Storm found themselves staring at an offseason of uncertainty. With veterans like Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, and Britney Sykes all hitting free agency, the Storm might look to start afresh.

The Seattle Storm do have a promising young core in Dominique Malonga, Jordan Horston, and Nika Mühl, giving the franchise a clear foundation to build around. There is also a strong chance that familiar faces like Gabby Williams and Ezi Magbegor choose to re-sign, maintaining some continuity during the transition. If that happens, it could leave the biggest name of them all, Nneka Ogwumike, searching for a new home this season.

One team that could make a lot of sense is the Chicago Sky. With the Sky potentially staring at a mass exodus, experienced leadership will be a major need, especially after Angel Reese made it clear she wants to play alongside the best. An elite scorer and proven leader like Nneka Ogwumike would instantly fill that void. Another option worth watching is the Connecticut Sun, who might also be searching for a veteran presence to guide their young core.

5. Marina Mabrey

Marina Mabrey was the only Connecticut starter left standing when the Sun were torn apart. From Stephanie White leaving to coach the Indiana Fever to stars like Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and DiJonai Carrington heading elsewhere. Mabrey, though, did not stay by choice.

Throughout the WNBA season, Marina Mabrey was vocal about her frustration, repeatedly pointing out that she was forced to stay put despite wanting a fresh start. It only made things tougher as the Connecticut Sun stumbled to a miserable 11–33 record.

Now, the Connecticut Sun appear ready to turn the page. Management has made it clear the focus is on building around a young core of Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Morrow, and Leïla Lacan. That clear shift in direction could finally open the door Marina Mabrey has been waiting for, giving her a long-overdue chance to move on from Connecticut.

So where does she go from here? A return closer to home could be tempting, and that naturally puts the New York Liberty in the spotlight. Whether the Liberty can actually afford Marina Mabrey is the big question, but it is absolutely a situation worth keeping an eye on as the offseason unfolds.