WNBA Free Agency: Kelsey Plum and Sophie Cunningham Return to LA and Indiana

WNBA free agency began on April 11, 2026, following a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) verbally agreed upon by the league and the players’ association on March 18. The new agreement introduces a significant financial shift for the league, increasing the salary cap from $1.5 million to $7 million.

Among the first major moves of the period, Kelsey Plum is returning to Los Angeles. In Indiana, Sophie Cunningham has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Fever. Cunningham joins guards Lexie Hull and Kelsey Mitchell as free agents returning to the Indiana roster.

The Indiana Fever have also expanded their roster by adding newcomers Ty Harris and Monique Billings. Cunningham, a 6-foot-1 guard, previously averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting over 43% from three-point range in 30 games last season before an MCL tear in her right knee ended her season in August.

Major Trade and Roster Shifts

The Chicago Sky traded All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. As part of the transaction, the Sky received the first-round picks of the Dream for 2027 and 2028. The Dream acquired Reese and the right to swap second-round picks with the Sky in the 2028 WNBA Draft.

Other significant contract agreements include Courtney Williams returning to the Minnesota Lynx on a two-year max deal valued at $2.4 million. Courtney Vandersloot has re-signed with the Chicago Sky on a two-year contract after appearing in seven games last season before an ACL injury.

Ezi Magbegor has re-signed with the Seattle Storm, the team where she has played since 2020. The Golden State Valkyries have also secured several players, re-signing Iliana Rupert and Janelle Salaun to multiyear deals, Cecilia Zandalasini to a one-year contract, and Kaila Charles to a two-year deal.

The Dallas Wings have focused on training camp additions, signing Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Costanza Verona, Amy Okonkwo, and Shyanne Sellers to training camp contracts.

Superstar Intentions and Expansion Context

Several of the league’s top stars have indicated they will remain with their current teams. A’ja Wilson intends to re-sign with the Las Vegas Aces, while Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu have announced their intent to re-sign with the New York Liberty.

The New York Liberty extended a core qualifying offer to Ionescu on April 8, 2026, for a fully guaranteed one-year supermax deal reported to be worth $1.4 million under the new CBA. Similarly, the Minnesota Lynx extended a core qualifying offer to Napheesa Collier before the deadline.

This free agency period follows an expansion draft for two new franchises: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. The compressed offseason, resulting from the March 18 CBA agreement, required the league to conduct the expansion draft, free agency, and the WNBA draft in a short window before the season begins.

The 30th WNBA season is scheduled to tip off on May 8, 2026.