2026 WNBA free agency rankings: The top 30 stars on the market after landmark CBA deal, including A'ja Wilson

This is the biggest and most important free agency period in league history

Jack Maloney

Mar 19, 2026

12:30 pm ET

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17 min read

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At long last, the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, which means we'll have a 2026 season. Before the action can begin, though, the league will have to cram in an entire offseason's worth of activity into the span of a few weeks.

The biggest item on the agenda is free agency. No official dates have been announced, but ESPN reported that teams were given a tentative timeline for the process back in February. As expected, the timeline will be extremely condensed:

- April 7-8: Teams can make qualifying offers and "Core" player designations

- April 9-11: Teams can begin negotiating with free agents, but no deals can be signed

- April 12-18: Players can officially sign contracts and offer sheets

This is the biggest and most important free agency period in league history. Nearly every single veteran set up their contracts to become free agents this winter in anticipation of a major pay raise with the new CBA. There are dozens of unrestricted free agents and well over 100 players on the market overall.

Ahead of free agency, here's a look at the top 30.

1. A'ja Wilson

- Prior team: Las Vegas Aces

- Position: Forward

- Type: Unrestricted

- Status: Unsigned

Wilson added another MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and title to her trophy cabinet last season as she helped the Aces win it all for the third time in the last four years. The 29-year-old, who is now the only four-time MVP in league history, is clearly the best player in the league and still in the middle of her prime. It would be a major surprise if she leaves the Aces, who are the only franchise she has ever known. This time a year ago, Wilson said she wanted to retire in Las Vegas: "I don't see myself putting on another jersey."

2. Napheesa Collier

- Prior team: Minnesota Lynx

- Position: Forward

- Type: Unrestricted

- Status: Unsigned

Collier was well on her way to her first MVP award last season until a serious right ankle sprain ended her hopes. An even worse lower leg injury in the playoffs, which included three torn ligaments in her left ankle and a torn shin muscle, ended her season and the Lynx's title chances. Collier underwent surgery on both ankles in January and is expected to miss four to six months, which may keep her out of the beginning of the season. That does not affect her status as one of the best free agents, however. She will almost certainly return to Minnesota, where she has spent her entire career.

3. Breanna Stewart

- Prior team: New York Liberty

- Position: Forward

- Type: Unrestricted

- Status: Unsigned

Stewart's streak of five consecutive All-WNBA First Team appearances came to an end last season due to a bone bruise in her right knee, which limited her to 31 appearances, and she played through an MCL sprain in her left knee in the playoffs. Add in surgery on her right meniscus in March of 2025, and the knee issues are really piling up for Stewart, who has also had significant Achilles problems in the past. Despite some health concerns, there are few players you would rather have on your team than Stewart, who remains one of the most versatile players in the league. She has expressed her desire to return to New York, where she has spent the last three seasons.

4. Alyssa Thomas

- Prior team: Phoenix Mercury

- Position: Forward

- Type: Unrestricted

- Status: Unsigned

After spending the first 11 seasons of her career with the Sun, Thomas joined the Mercury last winter in a sign-and-trade deal to team up with Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally. She picked up right where she left off in Connecticut, and made both the All-WNBA and All-Defensive First Teams as she led Phoenix to the Finals for the first time since 2021. Thomas is on the short list of the most unique players the league has ever seen, and her inability to shoot does present some roster-building challenges, but she remains an indefatigable force on both sides of the ball. It's hard to imagine her leaving Phoenix after maneuvering to get there a year ago.

5. Jackie Young

- Prior team: Las Vegas Aces

- Position: Guard

- Type: Unrestricted

- Status: Unsigned

Young took on much more responsibility for the Aces last season due to Kelsey Plum's departure, and proved she was more than up to the challenge. She made the All-WNBA Second Team after one of the finest seasons of her career, then raised her game in the playoffs to help the Aces win their third championship in the last four years. Young's combination of size, multi-level scoring, playmaking and defensive versatility makes her the best guard on the free agent market. It would be a surprise, though, if she decides to leave the A