2025 WNBA Off-Season

[Dillon77]

Her Hoops Stats Takes a Look at the Off-Season of the Other Semi-finalist: The Indiana Faver
Key Personnel Points:

Free agents:

• Uncoreable unrestricted free agent: Natasha Howard
• Unrestricted free agents: Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham, Damiris Dantas, Sydney Colson, Brianna Turner, Aari McDonald
• Restricted free agent: Lexie Hall
• Reserved: Chloe Bibby

Under contract: Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark, Makayla Timpson.

2026 draft picks: The Fever hold all their own 2026 picks and no extras.

Druthers (of mine):

• Makayla Timpson was a steal and is a keeper going forward. What vet(s) should be Fever keep to work with her? Probably not Howard at this stage in her career. Turner sat most of the regular season, then played quite a bit in the playoffs. Dantas?
• Lexie Hull seems like a lock to stay with Boston, Clark and Timpson. Cunningham?
• Camp outside Mitchell's abode and get the deal done.

2025-26 WNBA Offseason Guides: Indiana Fever

Our team-by-team guides reach Indiana, and break down how the Fever look heading into 2026

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[Bigboote]

Interesting plot twist. Swipe to see the rest of the slides.

Yeah, I saw an article in the paper this morning and when I saw the quote about "let's not talk about revenue, just pay" my jaw dropped.

There's something almost pathological about their absolute unwavering desire not to open the books. Maybe they're not hiding anything, but they're sure acting like they have skeletons in there.

 

[cancontent]

Yeah, I saw an article in the paper this morning and when I saw the quote about "let's not talk about revenue, just pay" my jaw dropped.

There's something almost pathological about their absolute unwavering desire not to open the books. Maybe they're not hiding anything, but they're sure acting like they have skeletons in there.

I get the same vibe. It's understandable that the league doesn't want to tip their hand during negotiations, but the responses the league have offered leave a lot to be desired.

 

[TheFarmFan]

Yeah, I saw an article in the paper this morning and when I saw the quote about "let's not talk about revenue, just pay" my jaw dropped.

There's something almost pathological about their absolute unwavering desire not to open the books. Maybe they're not hiding anything, but they're sure acting like they have skeletons in there.

The part that annoys me is that there's no way they attract expansion team bids without sharing the revenue data with the bidders. (No one is dropping $250m on an expansion fee ALONE without a careful, league-wide examination of the books, year over year, for at least 5 years back.) So basically all the stakeholders but the players know what the actual revenue situation is. Kinda effed up if you ask me.

 

[darrell]

 

[cancontent]

Contrast what Silver actually said to the headline:
"I think share isn't the right way to look at it because there's so much more revenue in the NBA," Silver said on the "Today Show." "I think you should look at absolute numbers in terms of what they are making. They are going to get a big increase in this cycle of collective bargaining and they deserve it."

Then open the books and show everyone if he's that confident. The WNBPA has been on record stating that they haven't been provided with sufficient information to do their own analysis to trust the numbers the WNBA provided.

Topping up on this topic after reading Annie Costabile's article in Front Office Sports, here's a quote from the WNBPA's executive director regarding Silver's statements.

“What the league and teams are really trying to do is not only limit the cost of labor but also contain it through an artificial salary system that isn’t tied to the business the players are building in any real or meaningful way,” WNBPA executive director Terri Carmichael Jackson told Front Office Sports in a statement. “You know it’s bad when the best they say they can do is more of the same: a fixed salary system and a separate revenue sharing plan that only includes a piece of a piece of the pie, and pays [the league] back first.”

If this is her response to Silver's comments, why shouldn't the players dissatisfied with the responses they're getting? Per the article, the revenue share the player would get would be from league earnings, provided they hit certain targets. The team earnings are excluded. Why? Obviously we'll never really know but it comes across shady to me.

Adam Silver Kicks Off Another Cycle of WNBA Labor Tension

"You know it’s bad when the best they say they can do is more of the same," the union's executive director said.

frontofficesports.com

 

[Dillon77]

Now, for the Finalists: Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats Previews the Phoenix Mercury's Off-Season
Key Personnel Points:

Free agents:

• Uncoreable unrestricted free agents: Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner , Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Sami Whitcomb
• Unrestricted free agents: Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Sami Whitcomb

- Reserved: Natasha Mack, Kitija Laksa, Kathryn Westbeld, Lexi Held, Monique Akoa Makani, Kiana Williams (all reserved).

Under contract: Kalani Brown.

2026 Draft Picks: The Mercury have no first-round pick, but do have their own second and third-rounders.

Druthers:

• Will the Mercury core Alyssa Thomas or choose to do so with Satou Sabally? Thomas will be 34 before the next season and Sabally is much younger, but Thomas doesn't show any sign of slowing down on her stellar play from this season.
• Could Bonner -- Thomas' real-life partner -- retire or choose to stick around in Arizona? If so, Mercury will hope it's not for too much money because they probably want to bring back Copper and Sabally, to boot.

2025-26 WNBA Offseason Guides: Phoenix Mercury

After a promising season ended in defeat in the Finals, we detail where the Mercury stand heading into 2026

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[Dillon77]

I've written this before, but Brondello has always struck me as a coach who prefers to have a core of veteran players. See her stints with the Mercury and Liberty, as well as the Opals in Australia. There's going to be a whole lot of developing going on in Toronto. Will she bring out her inner nurturer? And/or will the Toronto front office try to land a mixture of vets and players who have primarily been making hay outside of the W up to this point, a la the Valkyries? At least, she'll be living in very fine city.... 😎 😉

 

[cancontent]

I've written this before, but Brondello has always struck me as a coach who prefers to have a core of veteran players. See her stints with the Mercury and Liberty, as well as the Opals in Australia. There's going to be a whole lot of developing going on in Toronto. Will she bring out her inner nurturer? And/or will the Toronto front office try to land a mixture of vets and players who have primarily been making hay outside of the W up to this point, a la the Valkyries? At least, she'll be living in very fine city.... 😎 😉

My initial reaction to this is that the Tempo is looking to establish a foundation with an experienced coach. Brondello does well with veterans, however her experience in setting up a team could be one of the reasons the Tempo went in this direction.

Larry Tannenbaum is well connected in basketball circles thanks to his time with the Raptors and support of Canada Basketball. Can't see Toronto not doing their due diligence before making this move. Looking forward to seeing what comes next.

 

[GoChips20]

On its face Brondello seems like a solid, low-risk decision for Toronto. I think she’s much stronger at building culture and relationships with players than organizing elite talent on the court and the former is significantly more likely to be a relevant scenario for Toronto over the next few years

 

[WBBZen]

On its face Brondello seems like a solid, low-risk decision for Toronto. I think she’s much stronger at building culture and relationships with players than organizing elite talent on the court and the former is significantly more likely to be a relevant scenario for Toronto over the next few years

For an expansion team, bringing in a coach who can build a strong culture and build relationships is a great move. There's a lot said that she's not great at developing players, but an expansion team isn't necessarily all rookies. The Valks have a lot of vets for instance, and with this free agency market, they may be able to bring in some talent off the rip.

It does make me wonder who Dallas will peruse for HC. I like Nicki Collen, Jose Fernandez and Joseph Blair. I think Seattle will go with Briann January. Not sure about the Liberty.

 

[cancontent]

For an expansion team, bringing in a coach who can build a strong culture and build relationships is a great move. There's a lot said that she's not great at developing players, but an expansion team isn't necessarily all rookies. The Valks have a lot of vets for instance, and with this free agency market, they may be able to bring in some talent off the rip.

It does make me wonder who Dallas will peruse for HC. I like Nicki Collen, Jose Fernandez and Joseph Blair. I think Seattle will go with Briann January. Not sure about the Liberty.

Been thinking the same since Brondello was let go. When I try to think of possible options, my mind draws a blank. However, your comment about Jose Fernandez has piqued my curiosity.

The Smesko hire in Atlanta paid off for the Dream this season. Could Fernandez's style of play at USF work with a roster like the Liberty's, should they retain their core players? Just a wild guess on my part.

 

[azfan]

It does make me wonder who Dallas will peruse for HC. I like Nicki Collen, Jose Fernandez and Joseph Blair. I think Seattle will go with Briann January. Not sure about the Liberty.

This former Sun Sevil would be a great hire. She spent two years on the bench next to CTT

 

[darrell]

 

[Geew1992]

This is a great coaching choice!

 

[cancontent]

This is a great coaching choice!

Agreed. Have been a fan of Coach Fernandez for a while. He definitely deserves this opportunity.

 

[triaddukefan]

I see he is running from that tail whipping Duke was finna put on those Bulls this season. Can't blame him.

 

[Dillon77]

Last, Certainly Not Least, Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats Look at State of the Table for Las Vegas Aces
Key Personnel Points:

Free agents: Jewell Loyd
- Uncoreable unrestricted free agent: Jewell Loyd
- Unrestricted free agents: A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kiah Stokes, Megan Gustafson, Dana Evans, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus
- Restricted free agents: NaLyssa Smith, Kierstan Bell

Under contract: Aaliyah Nye.

2026 draft picks: The Aces have no first round pick (traded to Seattle for Jewell Loyd) but they do have their own second- and third-rounders.

Druthers:

• Have to think A'ja Wilson will be priority 1 and 1A and, as such, will be cored if need be.
• Jackie Young should be right behind Wilson in signing pecking order, but Young could be the most desirable free agent this off-season and could command top dollar.
• Loyd, Evans will be brought back but only at the right salary. One might say the same for Chelsea Gray, but she'll be right behind Wilson and Young in the signing order. If Young goes elsewhere, she'll get what she wants from the Aces, imho.

2025-26 WNBA Offseason Guides: Las Vegas Aces

Our team-by-team guides finally reach the top of the tree, looking at where the 2025 champs stand heading into next season

herhoopstats.substack.com

 

[Dillon77]

This is a great coaching choice!

Agree. If I read correctly, he was the #2 choice last year. My guess is some calls from Dallas went to a certain cell phone in Storrs, CT., for a discussion. Also, Smesko's success in Atlanta had to have had a positive impact on GM Miller, as well.

 

[Geew1992]

Agree, If I read correctly, he was the #2 choice last year. My guess is a some calls went to a certain cell phone in Storrs, CT., for a discussion. Smesko's success have to had a positive impact on GM Miller, as well.

It would not surprise me at all

 

[cancontent]

I see he is running from that tail whipping Duke was finna put on those Bulls this season. Can't blame him.

Surprised you didn't include this in your post. 😉

 

[JellyBean]

What do yall think of Olivia Miles as a prospect? I LOVE her game, and as a junior I thought she was at the top of the second tier of PGs below Paige/Caitlin. To me the question is whether the three-point shot is true (it still looks weird, but she hit 40% on volume) and possibly overall athleticism.

Not an MVP ceiling, but with the right draw, she could be trusted to run a team from day one if necessary. I think she would have gone #2 or #3 this year and is reliably a lottery pick next.

I love her game. Olivia Miles is a gamer!! She has a confidence about herself that is going to carry over well in the WNBA. Miles has a pro game already. Her shot will get better in time but that is not what stands out. Her court vision is going to be a huge plus for any team. She is going to be another special player in the WNBA. The game is in great hands!!

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

Then open the books and show everyone if he's that confident. The WNBPA has been on record stating that they haven't been provided with sufficient information to do their own analysis to trust the numbers the WNBA provided.

They certainly can do that.
My point was how the Instagram post attributed a statement to Adam Silver that he did not actually say.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

If Dallas gets the #1 pick, I believe the Wings should strongly consider Olivia Miles over Lauren Betts.

Miles demonstrated massive improvement as a shooter from outside, especially in terms of her pull-up jumpers. And Miles is an elite pick-and-roll guard.
I also like pairing Miles with Paige, given both have mind-boggling abilities as facilitators.

Betts may be a good passer for a big and a disruptive force defensively, but can she be a player to whom you can dump the ball and expect her to consistently beat defenders with her post moves? Can she improve the range on her shot to make her jumper an effective weapon in the pros.

 

[Dillon77]

Seattle Storm Choose Liberty's Sonia Raman as Coach

Interesting that after Sandy Brondello was let go, many stories on "who next for the Liberty?" thought Raman might be the choice, particularly given that GM Jon Kolb said he was looking for someone to move the franchise forward. Raman, with her background in the NBA (Memphis Grizzlies) seemed to fill that role.

Instead, she's off to Seattle where the front office has to make a decision to bring back several older, go with strictly youth and/or some combination thereof.

Many thought Briann January would be in contention for this job. Might she be so for the Liberty? Or does Kolb have his eyes set on someone else?

Sources: Storm turn to Liberty's Raman as coach

Liberty assistant Sonia Raman has agreed to a multiyear deal to become the new head coach of the Seattle Storm, sources told ESPN on Friday.

www.espn.com