WNBA free agency is going to change the league as we know it yet again. It’s wild to think that until 2020, hardly any player movement occurred unless a player forced her team’s hand. With a higher salary cap and weakened team powers due to a historic collective bargaining agreement, expect more winter chaos than ever when players can begin negotiating Jan. 15.
Unrestricted free agents this go-around include four league MVPs and last season’s Finals MVP. Breanna Stewart, Jewell Loyd, Liz Cambage, Sylvia Fowles, Joquel Jones, Tina Charles, Allie Quigley, Kahleah Copper, Sue Bird, Angel McCoughtry and Courtney Vandersloot top the list.
Let’s talk about six of the best players who could be on the move!
2021 MVP Jonquel Jones
The 2017 Most Improved Player of the Year dominated the league four years later to score 19.4 points on 51.5 percent shooting with 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists. She’ll be receiving a call from every franchise, but it’s tough to imagine the Connecticut Sun lifer will go anywhere else.
Odds: Connecticut Sun -800, Field +500
2018 MVP Breanna Stewart
An injury to her Achilles derailed the two-time champ’s season, but Stewart will return in 2022 and lead a team to the playoffs — which one might depend a little on her teammates. Sue Bird is yet to announce her playing intentions while Jewell Loyd is a free agent.
Odds: Seattle Storm -2000, Field +850
2012 MVP Tina Charles
Charles is coming off one of the best seasons of her career starring for Washington. D.C.’s success requires Elena Delle Donne to remain healthy, though, and that could prove too big a risk for the vet to take.
Odds: Washington Mystics +200, Los Angeles Sparks +250, New York Liberty +400, Field +180
2017 MVP Sylvia Fowles
One of the top centers of all time is still doing all-timer things at age 36. Will Syl depart the team she helped create a dynasty for? With her co-star Napheesa Collier expecting in May, there’s a possibility.
Odds: No team -300, Minnesota Lynx +350, Field +1000
2021 All-Star Liz Cambage
The 6-foot-8 center is one of the best offensive talents in the league, but is there a space for her in Becky Hammon’s new vision? The A’ja Wilson-Cambage combination improved last year, but Vegas fell short of their title dreams again.
Odds: Los Angeles Sparks +130, New York Liberty +160, Seattle Storm +500, Las Vegas Aces +600, Field +350
2021 All-Star Jewell Loyd
Loyd had full reign over the Storm’s offense following Stewart’s injury and was all-world levels of tremendous. She has an MVP ceiling on any squad that’s able to land her.
Odds: Seattle Storm -2000, Field +850
The Takeaway
Those Cambage odds are super telling. Of every player mentioned, her odds were the only ones that did not favor a return to her current team!
