With the calendar turning to 2023, it is time to begin fascinated about WNBA free company. Later this month, gamers and groups can begin negotiating contracts, which may be formally signed beginning February 1.
Though this yr’s free agent class is not as heavy as final yr’s, which included the 2 most up-to-date MVPs (the MVP of the sport) (Jonquil Jones And the Aja Wilson), it’s a star-studded group with six members from WNBA25 roster Probably the greatest 25 gamers within the historical past of the league.
Particularly, ahead Brianna Stewart He stands out as a former MVP in his prime who would probably be an unrestricted free agent for the second yr in a row. With teammate Sue Chicken retiring, Stewart may go away Seattle Storm This time round?
As anticipated, Stewart leads my 2023 prediction for wins over substitute participant (WARP), my measure of participant worth primarily based on a participant’s efficiency over the previous three seasons and age.
Who rounds up the highest 15 WNBA gamers accessible in free company this offseason? lets take alook.
(Notice: Gamers are unrestricted free brokers until in any other case famous. Free Agent Rankings Courtesy HerHoopStats.com.)
1. Brenna Stewart
Seattle Storm
straight forward
Age as of February 1: 28
EXPECTED WARP: 5.7
After assembly with New York Liberty In his final season earlier than returning to the Storm on a one-year deal, Stewart returns to free company. As a result of the Storm used the first designation on a teammate Jewell Lloyd They re-signed her to a two-year deal off final season, they usually do not have it accessible to apply it to Stewart so long as Loyd stays on the roster. So Stewart is probably going untied after a season wherein she led the WNBA in scoring for the primary time at 21.8 PPG and completed runner-up in MVP voting for the second time in three years.
Connecticut Solar
heart
Age as of February 1: 27
EXPECTED WARP: 3.5
A two-time All-Star, Jones doesn’t but have the resume of a number of the extra skilled free brokers within the class. Nonetheless, at 27, she’s within the midst of her reign, and will emerge in an even bigger function after profitable MVP honors final season, coming off the bench behind Connecticut stars Jonquil Jones and Alyssa Thomas. Pending deal, the Solar can’t presently provide Jones the utmost common wage that different groups may provide. Evaluation by Richard Cohen for HerHoopStats.
Chicago Sky
ahead / center
Age as of February 1: 36
EXPECTED WARP: 3.1
Parker’s two seasons again dwelling in Chicago resulted within the franchise’s first title in 2021 and one of the best league file within the 2022 common season, together with an look within the Commissioner’s Cup Remaining. So at the same time as Parker prepares for her sixteenth season within the WNBA, she’s nonetheless a profitable streak. Parker’s numerous talent set translated nicely right into a smaller function wherein she was not a prime scorer in assault however slightly a playmaking heart inside a balanced assault.
Chicago Sky
Defend
Age as of February 1: 33
EXPECTED WARP: 3.0
With Parker and a lighter minute load, Vandersloot noticed her five-season streak of main the WNBA in assists per recreation come to an finish. Nonetheless, on a per-minute foundation, Vandersloot was nonetheless main the league, and averaged 8.0 APG within the 4 video games that Parker missed. Surprisingly, Vandersloot has embraced scoring extra on the age of 33, posting 15.9 factors per 36 minutes.
Phoenix Mercury
heart
Age as of February 1: 32
EXPECTED WARP: 3.0
There isn’t any precedent for predicting how Griner may play out after spending practically 10 months detained in Russia. It is also a secondary concern in comparison with the truth that Griner is free and has indicated that she plans to return to Mercury in 2023 as an unrestricted free agent.
Dallas Suites
heart
Age as of February 1: 26
restricted
EXPECTED WARP: 2.9
for 3 seasons with Indiana fever And in her first half season with the Wings, McCown confirmed flashes of dominance within the paint that by no means translated into constant elite play. It got here within the second half of 2022, when McEwan averaged 17.7 PPG on 61% capturing and 10.5 RPG after the All-Star break as Dallas went 7-4 regardless of enjoying with no Ariki Ogunpoel to stretch for a very long time. It will likely be fascinating to see if McCowan pulls off a suggestion sheet from one other workforce as a restricted free agent in a deep market within the posts.
Chicago Sky
straight forward
Age as of February 1: 29
EXPECTED WARP: 2.8
After sitting out the 2021 marketing campaign because of the Tokyo Olympics, Meissmann is again with the identical type of good contributions she has with Sophia Washington, making a second All-Star look and capturing 57% from the sector. Since Meesseman will not flip 30 till the week earlier than opening evening, she ought to nonetheless have a number of seasons of top-level efficiency left.
Seattle Storm
ahead heart
Age as of February 1: 34
EXPECTED WARP: 2.2
Due to Charles’ elite play in 2021, when she led the WNBA in scoring with 23.4 PPG for the Mystics and earned All-WNBA Second Crew honors, she expects to make a comeback after a 2022 marketing campaign that featured the Mercury’s midseason exit. Charles accepted a smaller function with the Storm, initially coming off the bench for the primary time in her profession, and serving to Seattle to interchange an injured heart Mercedes Russell.
Los Angeles Sparks
straight forward
Age as of February 1: 32
EXPECTED WARP: 2.2
Ogowomike’s humble drop was essentially the most stunning of this yr’s group. She’s posted no less than a 2.5 WARP for every of the previous three campaigns, together with 4.3 final season when she earned All-WNBA Second Crew honors for the primary time since 2019. With Ogwumike in her 30s, some downturn is to be anticipated, however no less than Doubtless extra steadily than this projection would counsel.
Seattle Storm
ahead heart
Age as of February 1: 23
booked up
EXPECTED WARP: 2.1
A full-time starter for the primary time to begin 2022, Magbegor averaged a league-leading 11.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG and a league-leading 2.3 BPG within the function earlier than the All-Star break, wanting very very like an rising star at 22. Magbegor hasn’t been practically as efficient in A backup function behind Charles after the break, which noticed his capturing proportion drop from 56% to 51% and productiveness drop on a per-minute foundation. That is more likely to be only a bump within the highway as Magbegor’s future stays brilliant. Since Magbegor didn’t come to the WNBA instantly after being drafted in 2019, she will solely negotiate with the Storm as a booked free agent.
New York Liberty
heart
Age as of February 1: 23
booked up
EXPECTED WARP: 1.9
Han translated that dimension into large productiveness in her second WNBA marketing campaign on the age of twenty-two. Per 36 minutes, Han averaged 18.3 factors, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. Like Magbegor, Han does not have the 4 years of service wanted to turn out to be a restricted free agent — she’s solely performed two years — and can solely have the ability to negotiate with Liberty.
Dallas Suites
Defend
Age as of February 1: 26
restricted
EXPECTED WARP: 1.9
By hitting 32 dwelling runs final season, Mabry has established herself as a high-quality contributor within the function. His 13.6 PPG and three.7 APG in 2022 have been each profession highs. At 26, Mabry was simply shining. As a result of ball handlers are uncommon in free company, Mabrey’s market may be robust as we noticed in HerHoopStats makes enjoyable of the season.
Chicago Sky
ahead / center
Age as of February 1: 27
EXPECTED WARP: 1.8
As a part of a deep Chicago entrance yard, Stevens has averaged over 22 minutes per recreation solely as soon as in her profession, as a full-time starter in 2020 earlier than Parker joined the Sky. Per 36 minutes, Stevens averaged a career-high 17.4 factors final season, suggesting she may thrive in an even bigger function in the course of the peak of her profession.
Phoenix Mercury
Defend
Age as of February 1: 40
EXPECTED WARP: 1.7
Taurasi advised an area TV station in November that she plans to return for the nineteenth season of the WNBA, when she’s going to flip 41. Taurasi was not capable of keep on the court docket constantly within the later phases of her profession, nevertheless, and her protection. The impact has waned, however she remains to be top-of-the-line scorers within the league.
Sophia Washington
straight forward
Age as of February 1: 35
EXPECTED WARP: 1.6
After getting back from a Lisfranc harm that stored her out of the 2021 WNBA marketing campaign, Clarke fell to 30% after the arc after capturing 38% in 9 seasons in Seattle however made up for it by making 63% of her two-point makes an attempt. An completed participant, Clark was an element within the Mystics main the league in defensive scores.