The 2023 free agency cycle could drastically change the WNBA landscape.
Multiple All-Stars will be looking for new deals this offseason, including Breanna Stewart, Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike. Where those players land will directly impact the 2023 championship chase and possibly force some franchises to launch rebuilds.
Before the rumors start flying around, here is everything you need to know about WNBA free agency, including key dates and important financial figures.
MORE: What are the richest contracts in WNBA history?
When does WNBA free agency start in 2023?
- Qualifying offers and core player designations: Wednesday, Jan. 11-Friday, Jan. 20
- Player negotiations: Saturday, Jan. 21
- Players sign contracts: Wednesday, Feb. 1
WNBA teams will be able to negotiate with players beginning on Saturday, Jan. 21. However, players won't officially sign new contracts until Wednesday, Feb. 1.
WNBA free agency key terms
- Unrestricted free agent: Players with five or more years of service can become unrestricted free agents, giving them the opportunity to sign with any team. Players with fewer than five years of service can also become unrestricted free agents if they do not receive qualifying offers.
- Restricted free agent: Players with four years of service can receive qualifying offers in order to become restricted free agents. Restricted free agency allows a player's prior team to match a contract offer from another team.
- Core players: A core player designation gives a team exclusive negotiating rights with a player. Each team is only allowed to "core" one player.
- Reserved players: Players with three or fewer years of service are eligible to receive a reserved qualifying offer, giving the team exclusive negotiating rights.
What is the 2023 WNBA salary cap?
- Salary cap: $1.4 million
The salary cap for the 2023 WNBA season will be $1,420,500, per Her Hoop Stats. That's a slight increase from the 2022 figure ($1,379,200).
The maximum base salary will be $202,154, and the supermax base salary will be $234,936.
WNBA free agency rankings 2023
The Sporting News' Gilbert McGregor has ranked the top 10 free agents ahead of the negotiation window. Stewart unsurprisingly tops the list, but she isn't the only talented player set to hit the open market.
- Breanna Stewart
- Candace Parker
- Nneka Ogwumike
- Courtney Vandersloot
- Brionna Jones
- Azurá Stevens
- Tina Charles
- Diana Taurasi
- Emma Meesseman
- Ezi Magbegor
Check out McGregor's rankings here for a more in-depth breakdown of each free agent.
Other key dates for 2023 WNBA season
- April 10: WNBA Draft
- April 30: Start of training camps
- May 5: Start of preseason games
- May 19: Start of regular season
- July 13-17: All-Star break
- Aug. 7: Trade deadline
- Sept. 10: End of regular season
- Sept. 13: Start of WNBA Playoffs
- Oct. 20: Latest possible WNBA Finals date
