WNBA Expansion Draft: Key Protected and Unprotected Players Ahead of December 6

WNBA Expansion Draft: Key Protected and Unprotected Players Ahead of December 6

November 26, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

The WNBA expansion draft is set for December 6. Each team has submitted a list of protected players, meaning they can keep select athletes safe from being chosen by the new team, the Valkyries.

The Valkyries can pick up to 12 players, one from each team. They can select players from active rosters, draftees, and even suspended athletes or those who have not officially retired. However, they don’t need to fill all 12 slots if they want to keep space for future trades or drafts.

Unrestricted free agents, like Brittney Griner from the Mercury, Tina Charles from the Dream, and DeWanna Bonner from the Sun, cannot be selected.

Teams usually protect four key players. Here’s a breakdown of the protected and unprotected players by team:

Sky

  • Protected: Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Elizabeth Williams, Michaela Onyenwere, Chennedy Carter, Rachel Banham
  • Unprotected: Dana Evans, Lindsay Allen, Isabelle Harrison, Moriah Jefferson, Diamond DeShields, Brianna Turner, Maria Conde, Nikolina Milic, Kaela Davis, Kysre Gondrezick

Fever

  • Protected: Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, NaLyssa Smith, Kelsey Mitchell, Temi Fagbenie, Lexie Hull
  • Unprotected: Damiris Dantas, Grace Berger, Katie Lou Samuelson, Victaria Saxton, Erica Wheeler, Kristy Wallace

Mystics

  • Protected: Kahleah Copper, Natasha Cloud, Sophie Cunningham, Rebecca Allen, Diana Taurasi, Natasha Mack
  • Unprotected: Monique Billings, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Klara Lundquist, Charisma Osborne, Celeste Taylor, Amy Atwell

Storm

  • Unavailable: Brittney Griner

Liberty

  • Protected: Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Nyara Sabally, Leonie Fiebich, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
  • Unprotected: Courtney Vandersloot, Kayla Thornton, Marine Johannes, Han Xu, Jaylyn Sherrod, Rebekah Gardner, Ivana Dojkic, Marquesha Davis, Kaitlyn Davis, Raquel Carrera, Kennedy Burke, Marine Fauthoux

Sparks

  • Protected: Jewell Loyd, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Jordon Horston, Nika Mühl
  • Unprotected: Mercedes Russell, Sami Whitcomb, Victoria Vivians, Joyner Holmes, Mackenzie Holmes
  • Unavailable: Nneka Ogwumike

Lynx

  • Protected: Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, Bridget Carleton, Diamond Miller
  • Unprotected: Myisha Hines-Allen, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, Alissa Pili, Dorka Juhasz, Cecilia Zandalasini, Olivia Epoupa, Maia Hirsch

Dream

  • Protected: Marina Mabrey, Alyssa Thomas, DiJonai Carrington, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Leila Lacan, Tyasha Harris
  • Unprotected: Astou Ndour, Veronica Burton, Caitlin Bickle, Abbey Hsu, Tiffany Mitchell
  • Unavailable: DeWanna Bonner

Wings

  • Protected: Arike Ogunbowale, Teira McCowan, Satou Sabally, Maddy Siegrist, Jacy Sheldon, Carla Leite
  • Unprotected: Kalani Brown, Awak Kuier, Stephanie Soares, Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Jaelyn Brown, Sevgi Uzun, Paige Robinson, Bella Alaire
  • Unavailable: Natasha Howard

Aces

  • Protected: A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Alysha Clark, Kate Martin
  • Unprotected: Kiah Stokes, Megan Gustafson, Tiffany Hayes, Sydney Colson, Kierstan Bell, Queen Egbo, Elizabeth Kitley

Sun

  • Protected: Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens, Rae Burrell, Julie Allemand, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson
  • Unprotected: Lexie Brown, Zia Cooke, Li Yueru, Stephanie Talbot, Maria Vadeeva, Kia Nurse, Shaneice Swain, Aari McDonald

Sparks

  • Protected: Brittney Sykes, Ariel Atkins, Jade Melbourne, Shakira Austin, Aaliyah Edwards, Elena Delle Donne
  • Unprotected: Stefanie Dolson, Karlie Samuelson, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Sika Koné, Emily Engstler, Sug Sutton, Julie Vanloo, Li Meng, Nastja Claessens, Txell Alarcon

Dream

  • Protected: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Nyadiew Puoch, Isobel Borlase
  • Unprotected: Laeticia Amihere, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Aerial Powers, Iliana Rupert, Matilde Villa, Haley Jones, Maya Caldwell, Maite Cazorla, Lorela Cubaj, Nia Coffey
  • Unavailable: Tina Charles

This draft will determine the composition of the Valkyries as they prepare for their inaugural season in the league.