*UPDATE: I have updated all the free agent signings with links to their official signings as the WNBA Free Agency period has been so hectic. As you will see below, I was very wrong about where more than half of the free agents would end up.*
WNBA Free Agency for the 2020 WNBA season finally opened up yesterday as it was delayed due to the new WNBA CBA agreement. This WNBA Free Agency season is a bit different compared to previous years because there are a lot more free agents that are big names and there could be potential shake ups among WNBA teams that could alter the 2020 WNBA season. Because of the delay, the WNBA Free Agents cannot officially sign until February 10th this year, so before that can happen, I thought I would make this post to make my best educated guess on where all of the WNBA Free Agents at every level would end up.
I used my own knowledge of the WNBA free agents from how they fared from last season plus the Olympic commitments as well as by looking at a variety of sources online that would not have been available in previous seasons. I used the official WNBA Free Agency guide for the list and I also looked at the W-Insidr’s Free Agency tracker to get a handle of where some free agents could be headed. I also looked at High Post Hoops WNBA Free Agency Tracker in which I used their salary cap numbers. Bullets Forever looked at the Washington Mystics’ WNBA Free Agency situation. Yesterday, CBS Sports also released their WNBA Free Agency Tracker in where you can also keep track.
By using all those resources plus my own knowledge, I made this list. I know that, I could be very wrong on a number of free agents as WNBA Free Agency is more wide open this year but I did mention of why certain players may not end up on the same team due to salary cap and other implications. Last year, I also made my best guesses on where the 2019 WNBA Free Agents would end up. I was very clearly wrong about half of them. But this year, I will update this list to reflect on all the signings when they happen, unlike last year.
I hope you enjoy this list and if you like it, please share so that others can also find and follow it. Thanks!
CORE PLAYERS
Tina Charles – She will re-sign with the New York Liberty as I don’t see her wanting to move anywhere else at this time.
Skylar Diggins-Smith – She will be signed and traded to another team as Skylar Diggins-Smith has made her intentions clear about moving to another team. Skylar Diggins-Smith is a big name, so I think alot of teams will be interested. It just depends on what Dallas can receive back that makes it easier to trade her. The three front runners (in my opinion) are Indiana, Minnesota and Los Angeles. | Well, I was very wrong on this front. It turns out Phoenix had a great presentation that turned out to be the game changer for Skylar Diggins as she signed in Phoenix.
Brittney Griner – She will re-sign with the Phoenix Mercury. Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury seem happy with one another. |This was probably one of the safest free agent predictions to make. Brittney Griner officially re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury.
RESERVED PLAYERS
Lindsay Allen (LVA) – Will be back with the Las Vegas Aces
Bridget Carleton (MIN) – Will have to wait for a contract.
Alaina Coates (ATL) – Will be back with the Atlanta Dream.
Anna Cruz (MIN) – Will be back with the Minnesota Lynx.
Temi Fagbenle (MIN) – Will be back with the Minnesota Lynx, may or may not come over due to the Olympics.
Reshanda Gray (NYL) – Will have to most likely wait for a contract.
Isabelle Harrison (DAL) – I think she will be back with the Dallas Wings. | I was right. Isabelle Harrison re-signed with the Dallas Wings.
Natisha Hiedeman (CON) – Will be back with the Connecticut Sun. | Another expected return. Natisha Hiedeman re-signed with the Connecticut Sun.
Marine Johannes (NYL) – May or may not come over due to the Olympics. | Well, the update is that she is indeed playing as she re-signed with the New York Liberty.
Sonja Petrovic (now known as Sonja Vasic as she got married in the summer) (PHX) – May or may not come over due to the Olympics.
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (NYL) – Will be re-signed by the New York Liberty
Angel Robinson (PHX) – Will have to wait for a contract
Marianna Tolo (LAS) – Will be back with the Los Angeles Sparks
Yvonne Turner (PHX) – Will be back with the Phoenix Mercury
Marta Xargay (PHX) – Will be back with the Phoenix Mercury
Cecilia Zandalasini (MIN) – Will be back with the Minnesota Lynx, may not come over due to the Olympics.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Rachel Banham (CON) – A team may give Rachel a better offer and I am not sure if the Connecticut Sun will match it. I think they might match it or there won’t be any other better offer and she will be re-signed with the Connecticut Sun.
Liz Cambage (LVA) – Teams will offer Liz Cambage a great deal but the Las Vegas Aces will match that offer and re-sign Liz Cambage.
Kahleah Copper (CHI) – Kahleah Copper will re-sign with the Chicago Sky. | This came to be true as Kahleah Copper re-signed with the Chicago Sky.
Jamierra Faulkner (CHI) – Jamierra Faulkner may or may not get a better offer from other teams, but I am not sure whether or not the Sky will match it. It’s a 50/50 shot if Jamierra Faulkner will stay as a Chicago Sky player. | Jamierra Faulkner has stated she will not be playing for the Chicago Sky this summer.
Chelsea Gray (LAS) – Some teams will offer Chelsea Gray a good deal but the Los Angeles Sparks will match it and she will re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks.
Bria Holmes (CON) – I can see another team possibly giving Bria Holmes a better offer, but I am not sure yet if Connecticut will match it. I think it’s a 50/50 shot if Bria Holmes stays with the Connecticut Sun. | Turns out, she will be staying with the Connecticut Sun as they re-signed her.
Jonquel Jones (CON) – Jonquel Jones will be re-signed with the Connecticut Sun because she is their best player and there is no way that the Sun will give her up. | Another easy prediction to make as the Connecticut Sun re-signed with Jones.
Betnijah Laney (IND) – She will be re-signed with the Indiana Fever. | This turned out to be true as the Fever did re-sign Laney.
Imani McGee-Stafford (DAL) – Per Dorothy Gentry at the Athletic, Imani McGee – Stafford was given a qualifying extended offer | This ended up to be true, as Dallas re-signed her to a training camp contract.
Tiffany Mitchell (IND) – A few teams will probably offer Tiffany Mitchell a good deal but the Indiana Fever will match it and she will be back with the Indiana Fever. | This turned out to be a true prediction as the Indiana Fever signed her to a multi year deal.
Astou Ndour (CHI) – Astou Ndour will be re-signed with the Chicago Sky. | I was wrong about this prediction too as Astou Ndour was signed and traded to the Dallas Wings.
Morgan Tuck (CON) – Morgan Tuck is an important player for the Sun last year but I think if another team gave her a better offer, I don’t see the Connecticut Sun matching it. I think she will go to another team if that happens. | As it turns out, it was half right. The Connecticut Sun did a sign and trade with the Seattle Storm and Tuck is now a Storm player.
Courtney Williams (CON) – Courtney Williams is one of the Connecticut Sun’s best players so I don’t see the Sun letting her go away, so if a team does offer her a better deal, the Sun will match it and she will be re-signed with the Connecticut Sun. | This turned out to be completely false. Courtney Williams and the Connecticut Sun could not come up with a great contract for both sides and Williams eventually wanted to go to Atlanta and so the Dream signed her.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Kayla Alexander – Will have to wait and see if a team offers her a contract. I think Chicago will offer her a contract again, but it could be a while as Chicago has other concerns they need to take care of.
Seimone Augustus – Will re-sign with the Minnesota Lynx. I just don’t see her leaving the Lynx because she has been pretty loyal with the Lynx franchise since she was drafted. I think it could be a one or maybe two year deal as retirement possibly looms. | This was a shocking false prediction. Everyone thought Augustus would finish her career in Minnesota yet she chose differently and she signed with the Los Angeles Sparks for her final season.
Evgeniia Belyakova – I don’t see her coming over due to the Olympics so in my opinion, I don’t see her signing with a WNBA team this year.
Alex Bentley – Alex Bentley is a great free agent and a great player/scorer so any team will be lucky to have her. I just don’t know what team that will be yet.
Sue Bird – Sue Bird will re-sign with the Seattle Storm. In my opinion, I think it is just a one year deal because Sue Bird will turn 40 in October, and I just don’t see her playing past that age. She has also hinted at retirement when the new WNBA CBA was announced and she said that the younger players would benefit greatly from this new CBA. | The least shocking move ever has come true as Sue Bird re-signed with the Seattle Storm.
DeWanna Bonner – DeWanna Bonner has been with Phoenix since she was drafted and although this is tough, I can see DeWanna Bonner leaving Phoenix IF she is given a better contract from another team than what Phoenix can offer her. | This was a tough decision but the Sun were able to make the sign and trade with Phoenix, making Dewanna Bonner a Sun player.
Essence Carson – I think that the Phoenix Mercury will offer Essence Carson another contract. I think it will be for one year but it could be possible that another team gives her a better deal.
Layshia Clarendon – I can see Layshia Clarendon playing for another team this season as Connecticut may not look to re-sign her. | This turned out to be true as Layshia Clarendon signed with the New York Liberty.
Sydney Colson – Sydney Colson could be back with the Las Vegas Aces, maybe on a one to two year contract. | This turned out to be a false prediction as the Chicago Sky signed her.
Ana Dabovic – I don’t see Ana Dabovic coming over to the WNBA this year. I could be wrong but with the Olympics looming, she can just pass on the WNBA.
Blake Dietrick – I think Seattle will look to re-sign her but I don’t see them in a rush to do so. I think Blake Dietrick will have to wait for a contract. | She will not be on the Storm as the Atlanta Dream signed her to a contract.
Elena Delle Donne – Per Mike Thibault who was a guest on the W-Insidr podcast, Elena Delle Donne has a verbal agreement to come back to the Mystics. She can officially sign on February 10th. | I don’t think this was in ever in doubt but she re-signed with the defending WNBA champion Washington Mystics.
Stefanie Dolson – Stefanie Dolson will most likely join another team as Chicago has both Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot as unrestricted free agents and will need to throw a lot of money behind them which results in less money for Dolson. I think she ends up with another team if Chicago cannot offer what she is looking for. | Stefanie Dolson and the Chicago Sky seem content with one another as Dolson re-signed with the Chicago Sky.
Celine Dumerc – I don’t see Celine Dumerc coming over to the WNBA this year just like some other fellow Europeans due to the Olympics looming.
Megan Gustafson – Per Dorothy Gentry at the Athletic, Megan Gustafson was given a qualifying extended offer. | This was true as Megan Gustafson re-signed with the Dallas Wings.
Bria Hartley – I think Bria Hartley will re-sign with the New York Liberty. It could be possibly just a short term deal, however. | This turned out to be a false prediction. Hartley signed with the Phoenix Mercury.
Glory Johnson – Per Dorothy Gentry at the Athletic, Dallas will do everything it can to keep Glory Johnson as a member of the Wings. | Dallas missed out as Glory Johnson signed with the Atlanta Dream.
Sara Krnjic – Have never seen her play in the WNBA. Don’t see her coming this year either.
Camille Little – Camille Little has retired.
Sancho Lyttle – Sancho Lyttle has retired.
Brooke McCarty-Williams – Brooke McCarty – Williams will be with another team as she was not offered a contract per the Athletic’s Dorothy Gentry.
Angel McCoughtry – Angel McCoughtry is an interesting case. The Dream did not core Angel as they allowed her to test free agency for the first time in her career. Angel McCoughtry is a talented player. She will be looking to make the maximum amount allowed and some teams could offer it to her. There are a variety of teams that could do so for her services OR she could be back with the Atlanta Dream but on a smaller contract. However, that could be a long shot.
Emma Meesseman – Per Mike Thibault who was a guest on the W-Insidr podcast, Emma Meesseman will be back via a verbal agreement. She can officially sign on February 10th. | Emma Meeseman is back with the Washington Mystics, however it is only on a one year deal.
Kim Mestdagh – I don’t foresee her coming over to the WNBA this year but if she does, she will most likely re-sign with the Washington Mystics.
Carley Mijovic – I don’t see her coming to the WNBA.
Leilani Mitchell – I think she will re-sign with the Phoenix Mercury again, on a two year contract. | This turned out to be a false prediction. Leilani Mitchell signed with the Washington Mystics again.
Courtney Paris – Courtney Paris will re-sign with the Seattle Storm, maybe on a one to two year deal.
Epiphanny Prince – Epiphanny Prince will re-sign with the Las Vegas Aces after she played less than half a season for them last season. I think the Aces will offer her a one year deal. | This turned out to be a false prediction as the Seattle Storm signed her.
Allie Quigley – Allie Quigley is one of the Chicago Sky’s best players and I don’t see the Sky giving up on that. I think she will be re-signed by the Chicago Sky on a long term deal. | Another easy free agent prediction. Allie Quigley did in fact, re-sign with the Chicago Sky.
Danielle Robinson – I think Danielle Robinson will be back with the Minnesota Lynx on a one to two year deal. | This turned out to be another false prediction as she signed with the Las Vegas Aces.
Sugar Rodgers – I think Sugar Rodgers will be back with the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces may offer her a three year contract. | This turned out to be a true prediction as she re-signed with the Las Vegas Aces.
Tierra Ruffin-Pratt – Tierra Ruffin-Pratt will re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks, however there could be a chance that another team may offer her a better deal. | This turned out to be true as she re-signed with the Sparks.
Karlie Samuelson – She will have to wait for a contract. | She did not have to wait long. The Dallas Wings signed her to a training camp contract.
Shekinna Stricklen – Shekinna Stricklen will re-sign with the Connecticut Sun. I think it will be for a two year contract. | This turned out to be another false prediction as she signed with the Atlanta Dream.
Carolyn Swords – Carolyn Swords will be back with the Las Vegas Aces Aces. I think the Aces will offer her a two year deal. | This turned out to be half true. Carolyn Swords is back with the Las Vegas Aces but on the business side as she retired from the WNBA.
Kristi Toliver – Per Mike Thibault who was on the W-Insidr podcast, Kristi Toliver and the Mystics will come to an agreement about a contract. | That did not come true as Kristi Toliver went back to Los Angeles and signed with the Sparks.
Tahlia Tupaea – I don’t see her in the WNBA this year.
Courtney Vandersloot – Courtney Vandersloot is the Chicago Sky’s best player. There is no way that Chicago lets her walk away without giving her the best offer. Courtney Vandersloot has made Chicago her home and I think both sides can work on a great deal to make each other happy. | Another easy prediction as the Chicago Sky re-signed her to a multi year contract.
Tanisha Wright – Tanisha Wright has retired.
Isabelle Yacoubou – I don’t see her in the WNBA this year.
Tamera Young – Tamera Young will be re-signed with the Las Vegas Aces. I think the Aces will offer her a two year deal.
Shavonte Zellous – Shavonte Zellous will be re-signed with the Seattle Storm. The Storm will probably offer her a two to three year deal.
