The reigning champions have been pretty quiet in free agency, while some of the WNBA’s biggest stars played musical chairs.
The Liberty had plans to run it back with most of their championship core still intact.
Satou Sabally wanting out of Dallas made her an intriguing prospect for New York, but ultimately she was traded to the Phoenix Mercury.
The Liberty have lost two players since winning the title in October. Kayla Thornton was selected in the expansion drafted by the Golden State Valkyries, and Courtney Vandersloot signed with the Chicago Sky this week.
But the Liberty re-signed Kennedy Burke, and she and Nyara Sabally — the younger sister of Satou Sabally — expect to have bigger roles in 2025.
Breanna Stewart, whom the Liberty designated as a core player, also plans to join Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton in the Liberty’s quest for back-to-back titles.
Free agents have been free to meet with teams since Jan. 21, though the signing period didn’t open until Saturday. The first few days brought trades, drama and some surprises.
Here are five other takeaways:
Mercury big wins
The Mercury may have lost Brittney Griner to the Atlanta Dream in a free agency shocker, and Diana Taurasi is weighing retirement, but Phoenix did manage to add two top 10 free agents.
The Mercury pulled off blockbuster deals to acquire Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas and managed to get both players while keeping their 2024 leading scorer, Kahleah Copper. The addition of Sabally and Thomas makes Phoenix one of the WNBA’s most intriguing teams for this season and beyond.
The Mercury haven’t won a title since 2014, but they appear to be on an upward trajectory.
Atlanta made Dream additions
The Dream have long struggled to attract perennial stars, but they landed their biggest free agent acquisition in franchise history with Griner.
Who saw that coming?
The Dream also added Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.
Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, Atlanta’s leading scorers for the past two seasons, are also expected back.
The moves signal a new era for the Dream — perhaps one that may lead to Atlanta’s first WNBA playoff win since 2018.
Fever bolster CC’s support staff
The Fever caught fire after the Olympic break last year and made it to the playoffs in Caitlin Clark’s first season.
Clark’s proven in some ways to be a generational talent already, but Indiana made some key moves early in free agency to help shore up the positions around her.
The Fever added six-time All-Star and two-time champion DeWanna Bonner, steady two-way guard Sophie Cunningham and defensive specialist Natasha Howard. Indiana also re-signed Kelsey Mitchell and has Aliyah Boston under contract.
In short, Indiana is loaded with talent. How it all gels is yet to be seen, but the additions put the Fever in position for the possibility of a deep postseason run in 2025.
Newcomers strike out
History appears likely to repeat itself with the Valkyries.
The previous two expansion teams — the Atlanta Dream (2008) and Chicago Sky (2006) — combined for only nine wins in their debut seasons.
Based on what’s transpired, the Valkyries might experience a similar fate.
Golden State has failed to land any of the top talents in this free agency cycle, despite having high-end facilities.
The Valkyries had been rumored to be interested in Kelsey Plum, Courtney Vandersloot and Brionna Jones, but all signed elsewhere.
The Valkyries signed seven-year WNBA veteran Monique Billings on Monday. Other players whom Golden State picked up in the expansion draft includes Kayla Thornton, Temi Fagbenle and Kate Martin.
Sun forced to overhaul
The Connecticut Sun had been on the brink of winning the franchise’s first championship for the better part of the past decade. But after six straight trips to the WNBA semifinals, including two WNBA Finals berths, the Sun are experiencing an epic roster overhaul.
All five of their starters from last year’s team have left either via requested trade or in free agency. Connecticut also had to replace coach Stephanie White after she left for the Fever job.
The mass exodus of stars from Connecticut has put a spotlight on the Sun’s lack of facilities and investment in the team.