WNBA 2023 Free Agency: Ranking Top 10 Free Agents

It’s time to start thinking about WNBA free agency as 2023 approaches on the calendar. Contract negotiations between players and teams can commence later this month, and signings can start on February 1.

Even though Jonquel Jones and A’ja Wilson, the two most recent MVPs, were included in last year’s top-heavy class of free agents. Let’s take a look at the WNBA free agents this season.

WNBA 2023 Free Agency: Ranking Top 10 Free Agents

1. Breanna Stewart

  • 2022 team: Seattle Storm
  • Status: Unrestricted

Stewart only committed to a one-year contract with the Seattle Storm last winter, so she will once again be the top free agent. By averaging 21.8 points per game the previous year, she won her first career scoring title, came in second in the MVP vote and third in the voting for Defensive Player of the Year. She also made the All-WNBA First Team and the All-Defensive First Team. She will make whichever club she is on a title contender because, at worst, she’s the second-best player in the league. It remains to be seen if that will continue to be the Storm or if it will be someone else. During the end-of-season press conference, Stewart made it plain that she intends to look into the free agency market and will have a choice of locations.

2. Candace Parker

  • 2022 team: Chicago Sky
  • Status: Unrestricted

Although Parker has given retirement some thought over the previous few years, she announced in November that she will return for a 16th WNBA season. Then where? By losing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead at home in Game 5 of the semifinals, the Sky’s title defence ended inexplicably last season, and nearly every significant veteran is now a free agency. However, Parker will want to compete for a championship at this stage of her career. Depending on what transpires with the rest of the roster this winter, she may have a better chance to do so on another team. It’s difficult to imagine Parker leaving Chicago just a few years after her memorable homecoming.

3. Courtney Vandersloot

  • 2022 team: Chicago Sky
  • Status: Unrestricted

There have already been rumours about Vandersloot leaving the only franchise she has ever known. She is another significant player of the Sky who will be eligible for free agency this winter. According to Howard Megdal of The Next, Vandersloot and the New York Liberty, who recently completed a deal for Jonquel Jones, have common interests. At this point in her career, Vandersloot might not be the league’s top point guard without a doubt, but she still finished second in assists per game last year with 6.5 and is among the best passers in league history. It would be a big loss for the Sky if she left Chicago after more than ten years, and it might affect the behaviour of the other free agents.

4. Nneka Ogwumike

  • 2022 team: Los Angeles Sparks
  • Status: Unrestricted

Ogwumike, a former MVP, seven-time All-Star, and five-time All-WNBA performer, must settle for fourth place on this list due to the nature of this year’s free agency class. Ogwumike had a few difficult seasons in 2020 and 2021, during which she was only able to play in 36 games, but she was able to bounce back last summer. She garnered several down-ballot MVP votes thanks to her averages of 18.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game. However, even with Ogwumike performing at that level, the Sparks failed to make the playoffs and fell well short of the league’s elite squads. Depending on what other moves the Sparks are able to make when Ogwumike approaches Year 12, it could determine whether she stays or chooses to pursue a championship elsewhere.

5. Brionna Jones

  • 2022 team: Connecticut Sun
  • Status: Unrestricted

Jones, the current Sixth Player of the Year, is coming off a very strong campaign for the Sun in which she averaged 13.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

In Connecticut, the aforementioned trade of Jonquel Jones makes room for more shot opportunities and cash, which might ultimately lead to Jones staying. Additionally, according to Alexa Philippou’s report, the Sun intends to grant Brionna Jones a core designation, giving the franchise the only right to negotiate.

6. Brittney Griner

  • 2022 team: Phoenix Mercury
  • Status: Unrestricted

Griner, one of the greatest centres in league history, would ordinarily rank higher on this list given the circumstances. Currently, Griner has just completed 10 months of illegal detention on drug-related accusations in Russia, and it is still unknown how mentally and physically healthy she is. Griner has made it plain that she intends to play basketball this season and that she would do so for the Phoenix Mercury, the only team she has ever played for since being selected first overall in 2013. The Mercury’s chances of returning to contention status will be greatly influenced by Griner’s performance this season.

7. Emma Meesseman

  • 2022 team: Chicago Sky
  • Status: Unrestricted

Meesseman is another member of the Sky who this winter will be inundated with suitors. The 2019 Finals MVP is perhaps the model for supporting players in the league; she is a skilled scorer, a top-tier facilitator for a big – among players 6 feet 4 inches and higher, her 3.8 assists per game were second only to Parker – and a cherished teammate wherever she goes. She would fit in well with any competitive squad thanks to her adaptability and selfless manner. The Sky would undoubtedly like to retain her, but Meesseman may want to go elsewhere if there are indications that the team’s core is dissolving.

8. Ezi Magbegor

  • 2022 team: Seattle Storm
  • Status: Reserved (qualifying offer extended)

Magbegor has received a qualifying offer from the Storm, designating her as a reserved player in the free agent pool.

In 2022, the Australian centre averaged 9.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game, earning her a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. Magbegor, who will rejoin the Storm in 2023, is a crucial part of Seattle’s future at the age of 23.

9. Diana Taurasi

  • 2022 team: Phoenix Mercury
  • Status: Unrestricted

Although Taurasi will be 41 this year, it would be foolish to cast doubt on the GOAT.

Taurasi averaged 16.7 points per game in 31 games in 2022 while dealing with a number of illnesses. Shooting splits of 37.3 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from deep, which leave more to be desired, could be explained by health difficulties.

10. Azura Stevens

  • 2022 team: Chicago Sky
  • Status: Unrestricted

Stevens is on the rise as she begins her 27th season. The 6-foot-6 big showed off her range when playing for the Sky last season, draining a career-high 42 triples at a 36.2 percent rate.

Stevens has started just 42 out of a potential 121 games in his five WNBA seasons. Could accepting a starting position be the basis for this choice? Can you do it in Chicago? There are many forces at work in this situation.

 

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