The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is currently in its offseason prior to the start of the 2025 season. During this time you will see players are either abroad playing basketball, in the new 3x3 women’s basketball league called Unrivaled, or resting.
Even though WNBA free agency begins on February 1st, 2025, that doesn’t mean that behind the scenes there are trade deals and negotiations happening.
Let’s break down a few moves that have happened so far in the 2025 WNBA off season.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: A game ball is seen during the round 13 WNBL match between Sydney Flames and Perth Lynx at Quay Centre, on January 25, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Brittney Griner leaves Phoenix Mercury for the first time in her career
Brittney Griner is a three-time Olympic gold medalist with team USA, a 10-time WNBA All-Star, a WNBA Champion (2014), and has played on the Phoenix Mercury for her entire career. Her entire career until 2025, that is. Starting in the 2025 WNBA season, Griner will be debuting on a team that is brand new to her.
It was announced on the social media application Instagram on January 28th, 2025 that Griner would be joining the Atlanta Dream on a one year contract.
Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
In the video, Griner is with fellow WNBA players on a boat as promotion for a new show called “Outside the Paint”.
“I will be joining the Atlanta Dream!”
“Free agency has been everything I wanted it to be. I was able to find where I wanted to go. Honestly, what led me to that decision ultimately was the team, the players as individuals, and also my family.”
“I am thrilled for this chapter. It was my first time falling under free agency and it was cool. You know, hard decisions [...] You’re leaving what you know. What I have known for my whole career but there is also an exciting factor [...] I get to show them something different.”
Britney Griner, on her move to the Atlanta Dream.
Alyssa Thomas joins Phoenix Mercury
The Phoenix Mercury have been incredibly popular in the off-season. Alyssa Thomas, who previously played for the Connecticut Sun, has transferred to the Phoenix Mercury.
Thomas was previously an unrestricted free agent but the Sun ‘cored’ her. This means the team essentially locks the player so they may only leave the team if they are traded to another team. Ultimately, it also required Thomas to sign off on the trade.
Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen go to the Connecticut Sun
As part of the deal with Alyssa Thomas and the Sun, Natasha Cloud will also be moving teams. She will join the Sun for the 2025 WNBA season, as well as Connecticut receiving the 2025 12th overall pick.
(Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)
Rebecca Allen has also been traded as part of the deal to the Sun. The Australian born player was out for the 2024 season due to an injury. She has previously played for the Opals, which is the Australian women’s basketball team nickname.
Tyasha Harris will be leaving the Sun as part of this major trade and will join the Mercury. Harris became a full-time starter for her team in the 2024 season, including the Sun going to the playoffs. Connecticut also finished as the third seed team at the end of the season.
Kelsey Plums leaves Las Vegas Aces for sunshine with LA Sparks
This off-season is all about blockbuster trades that shock fans…and the announcement of Kelsey Plum heading to the Los Angeles Sparks was surely one that fans did not expect.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Plum has won two WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces, but is also not afraid of a challenge. Moving to the Sparks, who finished 8-32 in 2024, will surely be a challenge.
Plum was cored by the Aces, who received the 2025 WNBA Draft 12th overall pick from the Sparks.
Jewell Loyd moves to Las Vegas Aces
Jewell Loyd requested a trade from the Seattle Storm in 2024. This came amidst claims of abuse and bullying from leadership, including coaches. Loyd is a six time all-star player and played for the Storm for 10 seasons. This will be the first time she switches teams, similarly to Griner.
(Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
In exchange for the trade, the Storm also received the 2025 WNBA Draft 2nd overall pick.
Li Yueru traded to Seattle Storm
Another facet of the blockbuster Loyd and Plum trade was the trade of Li Yueru to the Seattle Storm. They are also receiving the Las Vegas Aces 2026 first round pick.
(Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
Yueru has played for the Chinese women’s national basketball team and is 6’7”, which makes her some much needed height off the bench if she isn’t a starter. This will be Yueru’s third season in the WNBA and is a young player at 25 years old, and has a lot of potential.
Will the Storm be able to get it out of her better than the Sparks?
Satou Sabally potentially joining New York Liberty
Rumors are circling around the location of Satou Sabally. During the Unrivaled 3x3 Basketball media availability, Sabally shared that she has already played her last game for the Dallas Wings.
The Dallas Wings have cored Sabally, which means they are looking for a return on her trade. There are rumors she has meetings with the Phoenix Mercury and the New York Liberty.
The Liberty offer a special draw–her twin sister Nyara. They also won the 2024 WNBA Championship, which Sabally helped her sister celebrate in New York. The Sabally sisters did play together in college at Oregon and they have mentioned wanting to play alongside one another again in the WNBA.
(Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Phoenix Mercury are not in a great spot to trade, as they engaged in the blockbuster trade mentioned previously in this article. There also is the question of roster spots, whether or not Diana Taurasi will retire, and what can they offer the Wings?
The off-season is not over yet, and nothing can technically be official until the window opens on February 1st if it requires a trade. But it surely leaves fans wondering if their favorites are going to stay or go and an interesting start to the 2025 season. The draft is coming, with no confirmation from collegiate star Paige Bueckers on whether or not she will be joining the draft this year or the next.
All the teams have their eyes set on a championship, but who makes the best moves to get them there?
