There are still a number of quality WNBA free agents left in the 2023 class more than a week into the official signing process, but it's starting to become clear who the big-time winners and losers are.
Let's review as of Feb 9 at 2 p.m. ET where everyone stands.
This page will be updated as additional signings and trades are announced.
Key additions: Candace Parker, Alysha Clark
Big losses: Dearica Hamby
Grade: A+
Reason: Note that this grade is based on the transactions that occurred, not in the way they were handled. Hamby has accused the organization of discrimination after her trade, months since announcing her pregnancy, and team president Nikki Fargas abruptly left a press conference when asked about it on Tuesday. The franchise has a lot to answer for.
Key additions: Allisha Gray
Clutch re-signings: AD Durr
Big losses: Tiffany Hayes
Grade: B
Reason: The swing for Allisha Gray was big-time. Gray is a win-now player and the Dream, for the first time since the Angel McCoughtry years, are ready to win again. Losing Tiffany Hayes via trade hurts, though.
Key additions: Erica Wheeler
Clutch re-signings: Victoria Vivians
Big losses: N/A
Grade: C
Reason: Returning Wheeler is a nice get, signing Vivians to a two-year contract is solid. Still, Indy isn't a place big names are looking to play. Fans can rest easy knowing Aliyah Boston is on the way.
Key additions: Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Courtney Vandersloot
Clutch re-signings: N/A
Big losses: TBD
Question mark: Han Xu, Marine Johannes
Grade: A+
Reason: This feels self explanatory. It may be the greatest WNBA offseason of all time. We're still waiting to see how their depth will shake out, but given reports that Vandersloot and Stewart took significant pay cuts, it might be fine.
Key additions: Tiffany Mitchell
Clutch re-signings: Bridget Carleton, Damiris Dantas
Big losses: N/A
Grade: C
Reason: It feels like a really disappointing offseason for the Lynx, at least so far. The team wasn't good enough to make the playoffs last year with Sylvia Fowles, and now they don't have her. Napheesa Collier of course missed most of last season, and now she'll be back. But still... the team has not significantly improved this winter.
Key additions: Michaela Onyenwere
Clutch re-signings: Sophie Cunningham
Big losses: Kia Nurse, Diamond DeShields
Question mark: Diana Taurasi
Grade: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reason: Well, they haven't really done much, yet. Plus, Taurasi gave some ominous comments and Skylar Diggins-Smith posted some cryptic Instagram quotes. Too early to say much.
Key additions: Brittney Sykes, Kristi Toliver, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Clutch re-signings: N/A
Big losses: N/A
Grade: B
Reason: I like the Sykes addition, and she solidifies last year's already league-leading defense. D.C. got better. I still question if they have the offensive juices to remain competitive with the Liberty and Aces, though. Maybe a healthy Toliver does it.
Key additions: Marina Mabrey, Isabelle Harrison, Courtney Williams, Elizabeth Williams
Clutch re-signings: Rebekah Gardner
Big losses: Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, Azurá Stevens
Grade: D
Reason: I mean, things could not have gone worse with the team losing four of its best players for nothing. The only reason I didn't give them a flat-out F is because of the signings they've been able to add. They'll still be competitive with Kahleah Copper at the helm, and Marina Mabrey was a nice add. Sure cost a lot of draft picks, though.
Key additions: Kia Nurse, Arella Guirantes, Sami Whitcomb
Clutch re-signings: Ezi Magbegor
Big losses: Breanna Stewart
Question marks: Gabby Williams
Grade: F
Reason: They lost arguably the best player in the world and didn't get anything in return. It'll be interesting to see how Nurse plays a year after injury, and Guirantes could be a sneaky awesome signing after a breakout season in EuroLeague. Jewell Loyd is still awesome, but she isn't surrounded with the pieces to win a title anymore. The Storm are doing the best they can given the position they put themselves in but it's still a yikes from me.
Key additions: Azurá Stevens, Jasmine Thomas, Layshia Clarendon, Stephanie Talbot
Clutch re-signings: Nneka Ogwumike, Lexie Brown, Jordin Canada
Big losses: N/A
Grade: B
Reason: Hey, they're having a nice little offseason! New coach, new stars, new vibe. They probably won't win a championship, but they're building something.
Key additions: Tiffany Hayes, Rebecca Allen, Ty Harris
Clutch re-signings: Natisha Hiedeman, Brionna Jones
Big losses: Jonquel Jones
Grade: C
Reason: Jonquel Jones is probably the third-best player in this league, and Connecticut was only able to land two rotation players and the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft for her. It feels a little less bad though, now that Connecticut was able to turn that No. 6 pick into Tiffany Hayes via a trade with the Atlanta Dream. The Sun will still be competitive and should make the playoffs, but on paper they certainly didn't get better.
Key additions: Natasha Howard, Crystal Dangerfield, Diamond DeShields
Clutch re-signings: Teaira McCowan
Big losses: Allisha Gray, Marina Mabrey
Grade: B+
Reason: I still don't know where the Wings are going, but sneaking into the Jonquel Jones trade and landing a talent like Natasha Howard was a great move. Losing Gray is obviously a bummer, but landing the No. 3 pick in this year's draft, plus another first-rounder in 2025 is a great return. Losing Mabrey was another bummer, but earning three first-round picks for her was another sneaky good move. Eventually these draft picks have to turn into a good basketball team, though.