5 Crazy WNBA Moves We'd Like to See Happen as Free Agency Begins

WNBA free agency is here, and this year's version should be a doozy!

Teams are allowed to negotiate with free agents starting January 21, with players eligible to officially sign on February 1. This projects to be an interesting year due to the arrival of the Golden State Valkyries—equipped with the most cap space in the league, per Her Hoop Stats—and a looming CBA negotiation.

With a new CBA coinciding with the new media rights deal slated to kick in ahead of the 2026 season, the salary cap (and player salaries) should rise a bit in a year. In anticipation of that, most free agents are expected to take one-year deals this summer to set themselves up for well-deserved pay bumps.

If that's the reality, that may open the door for some fascinating decisions. Could we see teams "overspend" on a role player, knowing that money will come off the books in a year anyway? Will a highly sought-after free agent take a below-value deal, knowing they'll likely cash in next offseason?

I, for one, am interested in finding out. And that, my friends, is the foundation of this piece.

This acts less like an actual free agency simulation, and more of a possibility exercise. We're not going to go full-blown 2K, but here are some big signings and trades we could actually see this offseason.

Satou Sabally to the Liberty

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ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 5: Sabrina Ionescu #20 and Nyara Sabally #8 of the New York Liberty pose for a photo with Satou Sabally #0 of the Dallas Wings after the game on September 5, 2023 at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

Satou Sabally may not have entered the free-agency period as the best option—that title belongs to Breanna Stewart, who the Liberty quickly used the Core designation on—but she certainly represented the most intriguing one.

There's been smoke for a while that Sabally would want to change teams, despite the fact that the Wings also could (and eventually would) use the Core designation on her as well.

Sure enough, during an Unrivaled media session, Sabally revealed that she'd informed the Wings that she'd played her last game with them and that her and the team planned to work together to find a new home.

Multiple teams will toss their hats in the ring for the versatile star—the Lynx, Aces, Fever all come to mind—but the most obvious landing spot for Sabally would be in New York.

A core of Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Sabally is absurdly good. Sabally's sister, Nyara, also being on the roster is a heartwarming touch. Making this more feasible is the fact that the Liberty have multiple avenues to making a trade work.

As Emily Adler of The Next recently detailed, star trade packages have generally been all over the place across WNBA history. If the Liberty are willing to part with an important veteran like, say, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (slated to make $185,400 this season), rounding out a package with another salary and/or draft pick wouldn't be difficult.

Crucially, though, they may not have to. The Wings may prioritize youth and picks, and the Liberty could offer a package headlined by recent first round pick Marquesha Davis while also having a 2025 (No. 7 via Phoenix) and 2026 1st round pick available.

Bri Jones to the Aces

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LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 15: Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun drives to the basket during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on September 15, 2024 at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

Death, taxes, and the Aces looking for skilled size to pair next to—or enter in relief of—superstar A'ja Wilson.

Megan Gustafson last season, Candace Parker (and Cayla George) the season before that, Theresa Plaisance and the drafting of Iliana Rupert the year before that. I'd expect that trend to continue this offseason. And as good as the Aces have been over the past three seasons—hard to sneeze at back-to-back titles—they've managed to lose the minutes with Wilson on the bench.

The best center on the market is Jones, a multi-time All-Star who has earned honors as a starter and high-minute reserve. That role versatility may appeal to the Aces; they'd have the option to size up with a Wilson-Jones frontcourt, or size "down" with Wilson at the 5 and more speed and shooting at the 4 while Jones mashes second units.

Jones is one of the best interior scorers in the league that doubles as an awesome offensive rebounder. The Aces famously punt on offensive rebounds as a concept, prioritizing transition defense over hunting for extra chances. Jones could help the Aces, who have ranked last in offensive rebound rate in each of the last three seasons, generate more of those opportunities without sending extra bodies.

(As a quick aside: while Jones is the best center on the market, the best big available is Storm free agent Nneka Ogwumike. Ogwumike is ineligible for the Core designation, meaning she could indeed change teams if she wanted. She's likely staying put, but I'd expect the Aces to call immediately if there's an inkling of that thought changing. I'm not sure how you'd begin to guard or score on an Ogwumike-Wilson frontcourt.)

Emma Meesseman to the Sun

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LILLE, FRANCE - AUGUST 1: Emma Meesseman #11 of Team Belgium looks on during the game against the USA Women's National Team on August 1, 2024 at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Paris, France. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Emma Meesseman hasn't played in the WNBA since the 2022 season. She was an All-Star that year as a member of the Sky, averaging 12.4 points (60 percent on twos, 34 percent on threes), 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals in just 28.6 minutes per game.

She's widely considered the best non-WNBA player in the world for good reason. Meesseman is an incredibly smart and versatile player, able to function in virtually any offense you can think of because of her ability to score on the block, face up and attack, step out and shoot, and make decisions as a passer.

The ties to Connecticut are obvious. Rachid Meziane, the Sun's new head coach, is also the head coach of the Belgium Women's National team where Meesseman earned All-Star Five honors this past summer.

On the court, it's easy to see how she could complement and enhance Alyssa Thomas in the frontcourt. Meesseman's scoring prowess would take pressure off of Thomas to do so—and would fill the void left by Jones if she does indeed sign elsewhere. Meesseman's ability to handle and pass could open up some cutting/diving opportunities for Thomas, as well as open up big-big pick-and-roll possibilities.

Chennedy Carter to the Storm

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 05: Chennedy Carter #7 of the Chicago Sky shoots against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on July 05, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

We generally don't see much movement with restricted free agents, but Chennedy Carter...may not be one.

The Sky sent out their offer sheets early last week, retaining negotiating rights to Michaela Onyenwere, Dana Evans and Nikolina Milić. Curiously absent from the list was Carter, the Sky's leading scorer and one of best stories in the league last season. Assuming an offer sheet isn't extended by Tuesday, Carter would become an unrestricted free agent, allowing her to sign elsewhere with no say-so from the Sky.

Carter thrived under a tough-but-loving head coach in Teresa Weatherspoon; could a similar dynamic present itself under head coach Noelle Quinn* in Seattle?

As for the on-court need, Carter's skill set may be even more valuable to Seattle in light of Jewell Loyd's trade request. Depending on when that saga concludes (and what the Storm wind up receiving), Carter's scoring prowess could serve both as a nice complement to Skylar Diggins-Smith in the backcourt, and as a necessary replacement with Loyd landing elsewhere.

*It's worth noting that the Storm were investigated due to allegations of bullying and harassment this offseason, though that investigation concluded without finding any violations.*

The Fever Add a Former All-Star

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WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 02: Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics dribbles the ball against the Dallas Wings during the second half of the game at Entertainment & Sports Arena on June 2, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

I've previously written about the prospect of Natasha Howard joining the Indiana Fever. She remains a quality pick-and-roll partner (heck of a screener!) and a reliable post threat, especially against smaller players.

Howard was below her usual level defensively, though working back from a foot injury and the general apathy of the Wings defense as a whole may have contributed to that. A return to form defensively would certainly bolster a Fever unit that improved as the season went on, but still finished 11th in defensive rating.

If not Howard, it's at least worth checking in on the status of Elena Delle Donne, no?

Delle Donne didn't play last season, opting to step away from basketball instead of accepting the Mystics' core offer sheet (a one-year deal at the super max). If she wants to play this season, the Mystics could core her again, though it's unclear if they'd go that route.

It's worth investigating what Delle Donne and the Mystics want to do, because she was still quite effective the last time we saw her: 16.7 points (51 percent on twos, 39 percent on threes), 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.9 blocks in only 27.5 minutes per game during the 2023 season.

The Fever would represent a situation where Delle Donne could slot into a high-powered offense rather than be the driving force of one. Playing off the gravity of Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell (received the Core designation) and Aliyah Boston could lead to a consistent diet of high-quality shots.

Naturally, she could also take pressure off those stars; her ability to shoot and pass from the perimeter would unlock space for the others to thrive in. Her chemistry with Clark in that regard would be interesting: only 14.2 percent of Clark's twos were assisted last season. What would Delle Donne's outlet or high-post passing do for Clark in that regard?

It's worth asking to find out.