In the blink of an eye, we’re nearly four months removed from the Las Vegas Aces winning the 2022 WNBA Championship and just over four months away from the opening day of the 2023 season. In other words, we’re approaching the halfway point of the offseason, and things are getting ready to pick back up.
Teams and free agents are allowed to begin negotiating on January 21, and players can officially sign starting on February 1. There are a few franchise-changing superstars on the open market and several others who could prove to be the missing piece contending teams are looking for.
We rank the 15-best players on the market ahead of the upcoming free agency period.
1
F Breanna Stewart - Seattle Storm (Unrestricted)
Stewart has some competition when it comes to the title that is the WNBA’s best player, but there’s no denying that she’s the top dog of this free agency class. Any team would be lucky to have the do-everything forward.
2
F Candace Parker - Chicago Sky (Unrestricted)
Parker is a year older, but a year wiser as well. She’s still more than capable of breaking down opponents with her passing and scoring, and she isn’t too far removed from her 2020 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
3
G Courtney Vandersloot - Chicago Sky (Unrestricted)
When it comes to basketball IQ and feel for the game, Vandersloot’s is up there with the best to ever do it. Her assists dipped below 8.0 per game for the first time since 2016, but she remained efficient in all other parts of the offense. She’s still got a lot of good basketball left in the tank.
4
F Brionna Jones - Connecticut Sun (Unrestricted)
Jones’ numbers dipped slightly due to Alyssa Thomas’ return to the Connecticut Sun lineup. However, that didn’t stop her from having another strong season for the Sun. She should be in for a nice salary bump this offseason.
5
C Brittney Griner - Phoenix Mercury (Unrestricted)
Griner’s 2022 is well-documented. Now that she is safely back on U.S. soil, she’s made the decision to resume her WNBA career and participate in the 2023 season.
6
F Nneka Ogwumike - Los Angeles Sparks (Unrestricted)
Ogwumike’s status is often overlooked, largely due to playing on an underwhelming Sparks team in recent years. But statistically, she’s coming off of her best season since the mid-2010s.
7
F Tina Charles - Seattle Storm (Unrestricted)
Based on Charles’ recent free agency choices, it’s clear she wants to win and she’s shown she’ll willfully play a lesser role in the offense. Still, she can find her way to a double-double each night with a unique ability from the center position to stretch the floor and make life tough on opposing defenses.
8
F Emma Meesseman - Chicago Sky (Unrestricted)
Copy and paste everything I said about Tina Charles and insert it here. Meesseman’s game is so skilled, and she’s the perfect playmaking or stretch-big for any contending team.
9
G Diana Taurasi - Phoenix Mercury (Unrestricted)
Giana Taurasi isn’t the DT of old, but she’s still a valuable offensive player that understands the moment.
10
C Ezi Magbegor - Seattle Storm (Restricted)
Magbegor was having a career year and doing some incredible things before Seattle decided to bring in Tina Charles. Her length and timing on the defensive end give her DPOY upside.
11
G Marina Mabrey - Dallas Wings (Restricted)
Mabrey fits the definition of a “bucket-getter.” And on more than a few occasions, she’s shown she can deliver when it matters the most. Just a tough, competitive and very smooth-playing combo guard.
12
G Brittney Sykes - Los Angelels Sparks (Unrestricted)
One of the best perimeter defenders (maybe THE best?) is hitting the open market and could be the missing piece to a championship run for some team.
13
C Han Xu - New York Liberty (Restricted)
The 6-foot-10-inch Xu isn’t just a tall basketball player, she’s an incredibly skilled player. Given her size and ability to shoot jumpers, Xu is actually a unique, one-of-a-kind player.
14
C Teaira McCowan - Dallas Wings (Restricted)
McCowan had to find her way during her first bit of time as a Dallas Wing’s player, but her second half of last season was phenomenal. She’s a restricted free agent, and I can’t imagine Dallas not bringing her back after trading for her.
15
F Alysha Clark - Washington Mystics (Unrestricted)
Clark still provides everything she has throughout her career. The defense, shooting and high IQ all remain. No doubt she’ll look to join a championship-contending team that she can provide value to.
