WNBA Free Agency 2024: Recapping Skylar Diggins-Smith's Storm Contract, Day 1 Moves

This time last year, the Seattle Storm were on the wrong side of the biggest blockbuster of the WNBA offseason. Now, they have something to celebrate.

The Storm announced Thursday they signed six-time All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith. Howard Megdal of The Next reported she agreed to a two-year contract.

"I am beyond excited for the opportunity to coach Skylar, one of the best point guards in the history of our game," head coach Noelle Quinn said. "Skylar is an ultimate competitor, elite playmaker, and excellent defender. Adding Skylar to our dynamic backcourt will immediately elevate our roster as we continue this next chapter of Storm basketball."

Diggins-Smith addresses what was a glaring need in the Storm's backcourt. They ranked ninth in assist rate (63.4 percent), per WNBA.com, and their 17.7 dimes per game were the lowest in the league.

The 33-year-old will also ease the offensive burden on Jewell Loyd, who had a career-high 33 percent usage rate in 2023, according to Basketball Reference.

Fans knew something big was in store when Seattle traded Kia Nurse and the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft to the Los Angeles Sparks for a 2026 first-rounder. The move was clearly a salary dump to ensure the Storm had the ability to sign two major stars.

By getting Diggins-Smith, general manager Talisa Rhea is halfway there. She has yet to seal the deal with another marquee free agent, Nneka Ogwumike. Seattle is one of three finalists for the 2016 MVP.

Elsewhere in the WNBA, the Atlanta Dream may have finished with a losing record last season, but their 19 wins were their most since 2018. General manager Dan Padover is still taking a more incremental approach toward improving a roster with continued promise.

The Dream acquired point guard Jordin Canada in a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Sparks. Atlanta sent out the No. 8 overall pick and Aari McDonald.

Canada was one of the most improved players in the WNBA in 2023. She averaged 13.3 points and 6.0 assists, and her three-point percentage (33.3) soared past her previous best (21.4).

The 28-year-old is a solid playmaker and elite defender, though her 5'6" frame limits what she can do in the latter capacity. Being a relatively consistent long-range shooter unlocked a new level to her game.

The Dream didn't stop at adding Canada. They re-signed forward Nia Coffey and signed the pair of Aerial Powers and Tina Charles.

Powers saw her role with the Minnesota Lynx diminish significantly in 2023, but she put up 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game through her first two years there. Charles' deal came almost out of nowhere considering she didn't play at all last season. Although the 35-year-old is past her prime, she's a fascinating addition given her legendary résumé.

Diggins-Smith and Canada were two of the top guards in a pretty barren backcourt market. The available options quickly dwindled further once Natasha Cloud signed with the Phoenix Mercury.

Cloud averaged 6.6 assists per game over the past three years and was an All-Defensive team honoree in 2019 and 2022. She's a natural fit in a Phoenix squad that's widely expected to retain Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.

Satou Sabally's return, which was made official Thursday, flew under the radar a bit because the news broke earlier in the week. According to ESPN's Alexa Philippou, she agreed to a one-year, $195,000 contract.

Sabally averaged 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals, displaying the all-around game that made her such a highly touted prospect coming out of college. Nobody doubted how good the 25-year-old could be if she stayed healthy, and the proof of concept was finally there in 2023.

For the Wings, only signing to a one-year deal is less than ideal, though, because the stage is set for her to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025. Dallas will at least have the core player designation available to either secure her return or ensure the team can get something back in a sign-and-trade.

Along with Ogwumike, some notable veterans remain without a team. Candace Parker, DeWanna Bonner and Elena Delle Donne are all still unsigned. In the case of Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, their return to the New York Liberty isn't yet official but effectively assured.