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Kevin Pelton
On the identical time executives in WNBA entrance places of work are monitoring negotiations on a brand new collective bargaining settlement (CBA) that can decide the principles they function underneath, they’re additionally busy getting ready for a second growth draft in as many offseasons.
Final month, ESPN reported that the growth draft for the incoming Portland Hearth and Toronto Tempo is predicted to function completely different guidelines than final 12 months’s model that stocked the Golden State Valkyries with the makings of a playoff roster. With so many WNBA veterans headed to unrestricted free company with the brand new CBA sure to massively enhance salaries, groups are anticipated to be allowed to guard solely 5 gamers every reasonably than final 12 months’s six.
As a result of the 2 growth groups will be capable of decide amongst gamers whose rights are held even when they didn’t play within the WNBA final season, and since they will decide one unrestricted free agent every to doubtlessly deploy the core designation, there might be troublesome selections as protected lists are finalized.
Granting that there are nonetheless variables left to be decided by CBA negotiations, together with the way forward for the core system, let’s run by way of how the lists of 5 protected gamers for every staff may look and who that would depart out there for the Hearth and Tempo, with the assistance of information from the Her Hoop Stats WNBA wage database.
Be aware: Underneath the present guidelines, unrestricted free brokers who’ve exhausted their core eligibility by taking part in at the very least two seasons underneath core contracts aren’t eligible to be drafted by the Hearth or Tempo and do not have to be protected by their present groups. They’re going to be out there to all groups as free brokers (and are categorized as “ineligible” beneath).
Roster designations
DP: unsigned draft decide
R: restricted free agent
RS: reserved free agent
S: suspended record and contract expired
U: unrestricted free agent
Leap to a staff:
ATL | CHI | CON | DAL | GS | IND | LV | LA | MIN | NY | PHX | SEA | WAS
Projected protected:
Maya Caldwell (RS)
Allisha Grey (U)
Naz Hillmon (R)
Rhyne Howard (R)
Te-Hina Paopao
Projected unprotected:
Isobel Borlase (DP)
Maite Cazorla (S)
Nia Coffey (U)
Lorela Cubaj (RS)
Sika Kone (RS)
Nyadiew Puoch (DP)
Taylor Thierry
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (U)
Holly Winterburn (S)
Matilde Villa (DP)
Ineligible:
Jordin Canada
Brittney Griner
Brionna Jones
The primary three Dream protected slots are simple. Though none of Grey, Hillmon and Howard are underneath contract for 2026, Atlanta can use the core designation on Grey and the opposite two centerpieces of the Dream’s future are each restricted free brokers. Caldwell was Karl Smesko’s most trusted perimeter reserve final season and might negotiate solely with Atlanta underneath present guidelines.
That leaves one spot between Paopao, who averaged 5.8 factors as a rookie, and two Aussies drafted by the Dream in 2024 (Borlase and Puoch). Though Puoch was the upper draft decide (No. 12), her growth within the Australian WNBL appears to have slowed whereas Borlase is averaging higher than 20 factors this season. I am going with Paopao however any of the three could be cheap selections.
Projected protected:
Ariel Atkins (U)
Kamilla Cardoso
Angel Reese
Ajsa Sivka (DP)
Hailey Van Lith
Projected unprotected:
Rebecca Allen (U)
Rachel Banham (U)
Aicha Coulibaly (DP)
Kia Nurse (U)
Michaela Onyenwere (U)
Sevgi Uzun (R)
Maddy Westbeld
Elizabeth Williams (U)
The Sky’s first 4 selections are apparent. Cardoso and Reese are the staff’s finest prospects, and Atkins is core-eligible after Chicago gave up final 12 months’s No. 3 decide for her. Sivka, the No. 10 decide in April, remained abroad reasonably than coming to the WNBA, but stays a part of the staff’s plans.
With a lot of the roster headed towards unrestricted free company, the Sky realistically are selecting between 2025 draft picks Van Lith and Westbeld for his or her misplaced spot. Though Van Lith struggled as a rookie, taking pictures 5-of-31 (16%) on 3s, her draft place as a first-round decide in April in all probability nonetheless provides her the nod over Westbeld.
Projected protected:
Aaliyah Edwards
Leila Lacan
Marina Mabrey (U)
Aneesah Morrow
Saniya Rivers
Projected unprotected:
Lindsay Allen (U)
Bria Hartley (U)
Rayah Marshall
Nikolina Milic (RS)
Olivia Nelson-Ododa (R)
Haley Peters (R)
Mamignan Toure (RS)
Ineligible:
Tina Charles
The choices for the Solar needs to be comparatively simple. Connecticut has 4 former first-round picks on rookie contracts, all of them key to the franchise’s future. Mabrey, a candidate for the core designation, will get the fifth spot. That leaves Nelson-Ododa, who began 21 video games final season, unprotected. However Nelson-Ododa noticed her position diminish after Edwards’ arrival on the commerce deadline and has accomplished her rookie deal.
Projected protected:
Paige Bueckers
Luisa Geiselsoder (RS)
Awak Kuier (S)
Arike Ogunbowale (U)
Maddy Siegrist
Projected unprotected:
Grace Berger (RS)
Tyasha Harris (U)
Myisha Hines-Allen (U)
Aziaha James
Haley Jones (RS)
Diamond Miller
Li Yueru (RS)
Lou Lopez Senechal (S)
JJ Quinerly
Growth groups will certainly have an eye fixed on the Wings’ protected record due to the quite a few choices for Dallas. Bueckers and Siegrist are simple selections, whereas Ogunbowale would doubtlessly have commerce worth as a core participant even when Dallas is able to transfer on from her. Kuier has blossomed in Europe since we final noticed her within the WNBA in 2023, averaging 16.8 factors and 6.3 rebounds in EuroLeague play final season and 11.6 factors, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks to date this season.
Any of seven completely different gamers might fill the final Wings spot. Jones performed the fourth-most minutes per recreation of any participant who completed the season on the Dallas roster, and Berger and Yueru each averaged greater than 20 per recreation. Miller has the strongest draft place as a former No. 2 decide, and James and Quinerly each contributed as rookies.
I handed them over in favor of Geiselsoder, who began 24 of her 28 video games performed. But it surely’s shut sufficient that the Wings may not need to shield two posts in the event that they’re planning on taking Awa Fam with the No. 1 decide in 2026.
Projected protected:
Veronica Burton (R)
Juste Jocyte (DP)
Iliana Rupert (RS)
Janelle Salaun (RS)
Kayla Thornton (U)
Projected unprotected:
Laeticia Amihere (RS)
Monique Billings (U)
Kaitlyn Chen (RS)
Maria Conde (S)
Temi Fagbenle (U)
Tiffany Hayes (U)
Carla Leite
Kate Martin
Cecilia Zandalasini (R)
A 12 months after constructing their roster by way of the growth draft, the Valkyries are on the much less enjoyable facet of the desk this time. Golden State has no scarcity of choices. Burton, Rupert and Salaun are locks because the staff’s finest three under-25 gamers, and final season’s No. 5 decide Jocyte is an enormous a part of the Valkyries’ future regardless of not coming to the WNBA final season.
Having earned All-Star honors as Golden State’s main scorer at 14.0 factors, Thornton is a professional core candidate. In consequence, I’ve made Thornton the Valkyries’ fifth protected participant. However that will imply leaving Leite unprotected after she averaged 7.2 factors as a rookie at age 21. Zandalasini, a restricted free agent who was considered one of 5 Golden State gamers to attain double figures, is one other viable candidate to be taken in a second consecutive growth draft. That has occurred solely as soon as in WNBA historical past, when Yolanda Moore was taken by Orlando in 1999 and Miami in 2000.
Projected protected:
Aliyah Boston
Caitlin Clark
Lexie Hull (R)
Kelsey Mitchell (U)
Makayla Timpson
Projected unprotected:
Chloe Bibby (RS)
Sydney Colson (U)
Sophie Cunningham (U)
Damiris Dantas (U)
Aari McDonald (U)
Brianna Turner (U)
Kristy Wallace (S)
Ineligible:
Natasha Howard
With seven gamers heading to unrestricted free company and solely Mitchell as a viable core candidate, the Fever’s roster is in fine condition for the growth draft. They’ll shield all three gamers on rookie contracts plus Mitchell and restricted free agent Hull. Until an growth staff sees Cunningham as a core candidate, that would depart them selecting between a pair of unprotected Aussies, Bibby and Wallace.
Projected protected:
Chelsea Grey (U)
Aaliyah Nye
NaLyssa Smith (R)
A’ja Wilson (U)
Jackie Younger (U)
Projected unprotected:
Kierstan Bell (R)
Dana Evans (U)
Megan Gustafson (U)
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (U)
Kiah Stokes (U)
Ineligible:
Jewell Loyd
Though the Aces’ three longtime stars all have to be protected as a result of they’ve remaining core eligibility, Las Vegas remains to be in place to maintain its high 5 scorers and one further participant as a result of Loyd is ineligible for the growth draft. That final spot might go two alternative ways. Bell began all 12 playoff video games, however Nye truly performed extra throughout the common season and is underneath rookie contract for 3 extra years, whereas Bell might be up for a brand new deal this offseason.
Projected protected:
Julie Allemand (R)
Cameron Brink
Dearica Hamby (U)
Rickea Jackson
Kelsey Plum (U)
Projected unprotected:
Sarah Ashlee Barker
Rae Burrell (RS)
Emma Cannon (U)
Sania Feagin
Alissa Pili (RS)
Azura Stevens (U)
Julie Vanloo (RS)
With 4 gamers on rookie contracts plus three key unrestricted free brokers, the Sparks will not be capable of shield everybody they need. All-Stars Hamby and Plum are positive to be on Los Angeles’ record, as are 2024 lottery picks Brink and Jackson. That leaves one spot remaining.
Stevens could be the perfect unrestricted free agent left unprotected, which might make her a probable selection for a core spot. That could be OK with the Sparks given Brink will in all probability transfer into the beginning lineup in 2026 now that she’s totally recovered from an ACL tear.
My choice got here all the way down to Allemand, who jump-started L.A.’s offense when she took over at level guard, and key reserve Burrell. Allemand will get the nod as a result of she performs a place of better want for the Sparks, whereas Burrell may not ever begin for them.
Projected protected:
Napheesa Collier (U)
Dorka Juhasz
Kayla McBride (U)
Alanna Smith (U)
Courtney Williams (U)
Projected unprotected:
Bridget Carleton (U)
DiJonai Carrington (U)
Aubrey Griffin (DP)
Natisha Hiedeman (U)
Maia Hirsch (DP)
Maria Kliundikova (RS)
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu
Jessica Shepard (U)
Jaylyn Sherrod (RS)
Camryn Taylor (RS)
With three All-Stars plus Defensive Participant of the Yr Alanna Smith all eligible for the core designation, the Lynx might need to replenish most of their protected spots with veteran starters. Carleton could be a candidate for the growth draft, too, significantly if the Tempo need to construct round a distinguished native of Canada on their inaugural roster.
I would nonetheless likelihood leaving Carleton unprotected, significantly as a result of she’s the type of veteran who may get bigger gives than Minnesota can afford to match whereas retaining its stars. That may permit the Lynx to guard one reserve. Olairi Kosu caught on the roster all final season as a 20-year-old rookie, and Kliundikova gave Minnesota a raise late within the season, however I feel Juhasz is extra priceless heading into the final 12 months of her rookie contract.
Projected protected:
Natasha Cloud (U)
Leonie Fiebich
Sabrina Ionescu (U)
Marine Johannes (RS)
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (S)
Projected unprotected:
Kennedy Burke (U)
Raquel Carrera (S)
Ivana Dojkic (RS)
Marine Fauthoux (DP)
Rebekah Gardner (RS)
Isabelle Harrison (U)
Han Xu (S)
Adja Kane (DP)
Emma Meesseman (U)
Seehia Ridard (S)
Nyara Sabally
Annika Soltau (S)
Stephanie Talbot (U)
Ineligible:
Jonquel Jones
Breanna Stewart
The Liberty haven’t got to fret about defending two of their large three, which frees up spots. Beginning guards Cloud and Ionescu are each core candidates that will have to be protected, whereas Laney-Hamilton is a transparent selection as a result of she will negotiate solely with the Liberty after a season-ending damage in a contract 12 months that landed her on the suspended record. Fiebich, the lone New York starter underneath contract for 2026, makes it 4 protected gamers.
Emma Meesseman could be a core candidate in her personal proper. I am betting the Liberty will go away her unprotected as a result of Meesseman’s unsure availability could be a priority for growth groups. That leaves a selection between Johannes, who was much less impactful final season, and Sabally within the ultimate 12 months of her rookie deal. I lean Johannes due to Sabally’s damage historical past, however both selection is affordable.
Projected protected:
Monique Akoa Makani (R)
Natasha Mack (RS)
Satou Sabally (U)
Alyssa Thomas (U)
Kathryn Westbeld (RS)
Projected unprotected:
Julia Ayrault (S)
Kalani Brown
Lexi Held (RS)
Kitija Laksa (RS)
Klara Lundquist (S)
Helena Pueyo (S)
Sami Whitcomb (U)
Kiana Williams (RS)
Ineligible:
DeWanna Bonner
Kahleah Copper
No staff is extra affected by core negotiations than the Mercury. As issues stand, they’d have to guard each Sabally and Thomas, who had been signed and traded to Phoenix final offseason throughout their first time underneath the core designation. If issues change such that gamers may be underneath that designation solely as soon as, that will release two spots for the Mercury.
For now, Phoenix can nonetheless shield all 4 eligible starters plus Westbeld, who emerged as a priceless reserve throughout her rookie season. Brown, considered one of two veteran gamers within the WNBA underneath contract for 2026, is the staff’s solely non-free agent. However she slipped to the fringes of Nate Tibbetts’ rotation after Mack bought wholesome and may not be price defending.
Projected protected:
Jordan Horston
Ezi Magbegor (U)
Dominique Malonga
Nika Muhl
Gabby Williams (U)
Projected unprotected:
Lexie Brown
Zia Cooke (RS)
Mackenzie Holmes (RS)
Tiffany Mitchell (U)
Katie Lou Samuelson (U)
Brittney Sykes (U)
Erica Wheeler (U)
Ineligible:
Skylar Diggins
Nneka Ogwumike
The one WNBA staff to not have a participant chosen by the Valkyries final 12 months, the Storm once more have the power to guard all of their most essential gamers as a result of neither Diggins nor Ogwumike is eligible for the growth draft. Each Magbegor and Williams might be candidates for Seattle’s core designation, whereas Horston and Malonga are the staff’s key younger items on rookie contracts.
I’ve bought the Storm utilizing the fifth spot on Muhl, who has returned to the courtroom in Europe after sitting out the 2025 season due to an ACL tear. Brown can also be a candidate if new coach Sonia Raman thinks she will regain the precious exterior taking pictures we noticed with the Los Angeles Sparks. The choice finally depends upon the significance Seattle places on re-signing Sykes, who may very well be a core choice for the growth groups coming off an All-Star season however could be changed within the lineup if the Storm draft a wing with the No. 3 decide.
Projected protected:
Georgia Amoore
Shakira Austin (R)
Sonia Citron
Kiki Iriafen
Jacy Sheldon
Projected unprotected:
Txell Alarcon (DP)
Nastja Claessens (DP)
Alysha Clark (U)
Stefanie Dolson (U)
Emily Engstler (RS)
Bernadett Hatar (RS)
Jade Melbourne (U)
Lucy Olsen
Madison Scott (RS)
Sug Sutton (R)
The primary 4 spots are simple for the Mystics, who will need to shield all three of final season’s first-round picks — together with Amoore, who sat out her first WNBA marketing campaign due to a torn ACL, and All-Rookie staff picks Citron and Iriafen — and Austin forward of restricted free company.
My choice on the final spot got here all the way down to Sheldon and Engstler. With Iriafen laying declare to the facility ahead spot and Austin taking part in alongside Dolson at instances in double-post lineups, Engstler did not play as a lot or shoot in addition to throughout the 2024 marketing campaign. Sheldon is on her third staff prior to now 12 months, having been traded twice in that span, and performed solely two video games for Washington after being acquired for Aaliyah Edwards on the deadline. However she shot 40% on 3s and has two seasons left on her rookie contract, making her my selection.
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