The GIST: The hardwood drama doesn’t end with the NBA — WNBA shakeups continue to shock during the league’s ongoing free agency shenanigans. Let’s dive into the latest W-altering headlines from over the weekend.
🔁 Connecticut Sun overhaul roster: The Sun have officially waved goodbye to all five starters from their 2024 playoff run, ushering in a new era for the original WNBA franchise.
- After seeing cornerstone Alyssa Thomas exit (among others), last season’s Most Improved Player DiJonai Carrington was traded to the Dallas Wings on Saturday, while six-time All-Star DeWanna Bonner (Thomas’ fiancée) will sign a one-year deal with the Indiana Fever.
- But that’s not all: Eight-time All-Star Tina Charles is officially returning to the Sun, the franchise that drafted her No. 1 overall in 2010, on a one-year contract. Talk about full circle.
🤝 Phoenix Mercury land top free agent Satou Sabally: The new-look Mercury added another star to their roster yesterday, picking up Sabally from the Wings as part of a record-setting four-team trade. Sabally now joins the aforementioned Thomas in Phoenix, who lost franchise legend Brittney Griner to the Atlanta Dream.
- However, one major question still remains for the Mercury this offseason: Will 20-season vet Diana Taurasi return for one more spin or will she retire before May’s tip-off? Stay tuned.
🕺 Other major moves: 2016 MVP Nneka Ogwumike is sticking around in Seattle, signing a new one-year deal with the Storm, while Canadian Kia Nurse is joining the Chicago Sky from the LA Sparks.
- Otherwise, the unsigned free agent list is shrinking by the day but still includes notable players like NY Liberty leader Breanna Stewart and Sky powerhouse Chennedy Carter. It’s far from over.