The 2026 WNBA free agency is nearing its end, with notable players like Natasha Cloud and Tina Charles still available. These experienced athletes could significantly impact any team's roster for the upcoming season.
The WNBA is winding down its 2026 free agency frenzy, but there are still some high-quality players available in free agency.
Led by proven vets like Natasha Cloud and Tina Charles, the best available 2026 WNBA free agents could all make rosters for the summer and play impact minutes for any number of teams in the league.
WNBA 2026 free agency winners (Liberty!) and losers (Lynx?!)
Why are the players available so worthy of being signed? Which fits do we like the most? Let's run through it all.
WNBA Draft 2026 grades: Analysis of every pick in all 3 rounds
Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud (9) talks with guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) during the third quarter against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Cloud is the best point guard available, a sign-and-start veteran who averaged about 10 points and five assists with the New York Liberty last season. She's remarkably durable a decade-plus into her WNBA career. She'd instantly elevate any starting lineup at the point of signing if point guard is a serious need. Perhaps she's waiting until after the draft to sign somewhere, but we're a little surprised that she's still available. We'd love to see her sign soon.
BEST FIT: Golden State Valkyries
Belgium's Emma Meesseman celebrates after winning a basketball match between Belgian national team 'the Belgian Cats' and Italy, in the semi-finals of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket tournament, Friday 27 June 2025 in Piraeus, Greece. BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR / BELGA MAG / Belga via AFP) (Photo by VIRGINIE LEFOUR/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
We're not sure if Meesseman is playing in the W this season, but she's the best forward available if she is. She played well for the New York Liberty last season, but a return to the Big Apple isn't likely after that team signed Satou Sabally in free agency. Any contending team should be hoping to land Meesseman for their starting five.
BEST FIT: Minnesota Lynx
Jun 6, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (31) reacts after her three point basket against the Atlanta Dream in the first half at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Charles showed no signs of slowing down last season with the Connecticut Sun, averaging 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds a game. If she still wants to continue her W career in her age 37 season, she'd either be a respectable starter at center or an outrageous depth option for a contender. If she's willing to take reduced minutes, we have a feeling she'd heighten basically any contending team in the WNBA that needs depth in the frontcourt. In Phoenix, she could arguably start at center for a team that played in the WNBA Finals last fall. That's her best fit to us.
BEST FIT: Phoenix Mercury
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Temi Fagbenle #14 of the Golden State Valkyries is introduced to the crowd before their game against the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16, 2025 in San Francisco, California. Tonight is the Valkyries first home game in their inaugural season. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Fagbenle remains a stalwart defender who rebounded quite nicely with Golden State last season. A return to the Valkyries would make a lot of sense, but any team needing a starting-quality center should give her a call. She averaged 7.4 points and 4.9 boards last year for the Valkyries. Perhaps Toronto could start her in the post?
BEST FIT: Toronto Tempo
Indiana Fever guard Aari McDonald (2) celebrates Tuesday, June 3, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
McDonald revived her career with the Indiana Fever last year, stepping up running the point when Caitlin Clark went down with injury. She'd be a plus reserve for any team needing to give their point guard a break; we're a little surprised that the Fever didn't bring her back. A lingering foot injury could hold her out to start the year, but we expect her to sign somewhere as soon as she's healthy if her foot is still giving her issues. She can make an impact.
BEST FIT: Connecticut Sun
May 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks guard Odyssey Sims (0) dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Dream in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Sims was the Fever's playoff hero who led the team's offense through a first-round upset of the Atlanta Dream and nearly to the WNBA Finals in a semifinals fight with the Las Vegas Aces. She's got the capability to start somewhere, but she'd also thrive in a reserve role running the point. Her Fever playoff run showed she's still a reliable presence.
BEST FIT: Minnesota Lynx
Oct 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) drives past Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) during the second half of game four of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Laney-Hamilton missed all of the 2024 season with a knee injury, but she's got a high ceiling for any team needing guard/forward depth coming off her knee ailment. The Lynx make a lot of sense if she's not returning to New York; she could give Minnesota the needed veteran presence that it lost in its frontcourt, particularly on defense.
BEST FIT: Minnesota Lynx
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 25: Tiffany Hayes #15 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts after a play against the Dallas Wings during the second half at Chase Center on July 25, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thien-An Truong/Getty Images)
Hayes is another wily veteran on our list who would amplify any contender, but we do think she'd benefit the most from a reunion with the Golden State Valkyries or Las Vegas Aces. She averaged 11.7 points last year in Golden State and will be 37 in September. If she still wants to play, we love the idea of her returning to one of her former teams.
BEST FITS: Golden State Valkyries/Las Vegas Aces
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - FEBRUARY 04: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough #32, Brionna Jones #24 and Brittney Griner #42 pose with their jerseys during a press conference after being introduced as new free agent signings for the Atlanta Dream at Ventanas on February 04, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Walker-Kimbrough had an off year with the Atlanta Dream, but she's typically a quality reserve guard who averaged 7.5 points a game for the Washington Mystics in 2024. Any team needed veteran guard depth should consider her.
BEST FIT: Washington Mystics
May 25, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) passes the ball against Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32)during the second half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Clark is the kind of backend roster veteran who you bring in to lead a young team in building a strong culture and on the court with how to play the game the right way. A team with a lot of young players or, say, an expansion team close to where Clark spent most of her WNBA career in Seattle would be wise to bring her in to help out.
BEST FIT: Portland Fire
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Best 2026 WNBA free agents still available, including Natasha Cloud
The top available free agents include Natasha Cloud and Tina Charles, among others.
Natasha Cloud and Tina Charles are proven veterans with the ability to make an immediate impact on any team's roster.
Any number of teams in the league could benefit from signing these high-quality players, depending on their roster needs.
The 2026 WNBA free agency is winding down, but several high-quality players remain unsigned.
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