jaw-dropping trade<\/a> to the Atlanta Dream or the free agent frenzy that\u2019s only just begun, the WNBA keeps making headlines ahead of its milestone 30th season. No time to waste \u2014\u00a0let\u2019s hoop right to it.<\/p>\n\ud83d\udccc Free agency timeline: <\/strong>Teams handed out qualifying offers and assigned core designations (more on that below) over the last two days. Next comes the negotiation phase, which starts today and extends until Friday, before the official signing period begins on Saturday. Keep your head on a swivel as we address two key questions.<\/p>\n\n- \u274c Who\u2019s not<\/em> a free agent? <\/strong>The league\u2019s young superstars, most of whom are still on four-year rookie-scale contracts. While those hoopers could<\/em> be traded (see: Reese), most, including the Dallas Wings\u2019 Paige Bueckers and Indiana Fever\u2019s Caitlin Clark, will stay put.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83d\udd25 The core designation and supermax combo:<\/strong> You\u2019ll likely hear the phrase \u201ccore a player\u201d flying around the next few days. When teams extend a core qualifying offer, they are identifying that player as pivotal to their success. This year, that designation comes with a $1.4M pay day, the league\u2019s new supermax.<\/p>\n\n- Each team can core one player, making them eligible for that franchise\u2019s only supermax contract and<\/em> giving the team exclusive negotiating rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n