What it really means when a WNBA player gets waived — and what happens next

TL;DR

WNBA teams are finalizing rosters ahead of the 2026 season, resulting in players like Martaz Suarez and Hailey Van Lith being waived. When a player is waived, they are removed from the team and placed on waivers for other teams to potentially claim.

Key points

2026 WNBA season starts on May 8.
Teams are finalizing rosters with player cutdowns.
Players like Martaz Suarez and Hailey Van Lith have been waived.
Waiving a player means they are no longer with the team.
Waived players are placed on waivers for other teams to claim.

The 2026 WNBA season doesn't start until Friday, May 8, but there's plenty of action leading up to opening day as teams finalize their rosters.

With roster cutdowns, there's a painful reality. Despite more teams and more roster spots, some players may not make the team. For example, Martaz Suarez, who was drafted this year, was waived on May 3. Chicago Sky guard Hailey Van Lith, drafted in 2025, was also waived this week.League transactions like moving on from Suarez and Van Lith often leave lingering questions. What does it mean when a player is waived by a franchise? What happens next? Here's a breakdown of what it means.

What does it mean when a player is waived?

When a team waives a player, it means that player is no longer with the organization. Once a player has been removed from the roster, they are then placed on waivers. Waivers is the process in which teams across the league can select players from an available pool of athletes who are not currently on anyone's roster.

After 48 hours, teams can claim a player and their contract to add to their roster. If multiple teams put in a claim for a player, the team with the highest waiver priority is awarded the player. If no team claims the player, that player clears waivers and becomes an unrestricted free agent. The athlete can then sign a new deal with any team in the league.

What does the new CBA say about waived players?

While players are free to sign with any team after being waived, it doesn't necessarily mean they will land on the 12-player active roster. If a player is not signed to the active roster, they may be signed to a developmental contract.

In 2026, teams can sign two developmental players. Any player signed to a developmental contract must have three or fewer years of service. They can reportedly also have four to five years of service, but must be within a minutes limit to be eligible. This season, developmental players can participate in practices and any training activities with the team and may be activated for up to 12 games.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA waivers, axplained: Why players get cut and what comes next

Q&A

What happens when a WNBA player is waived?

When a WNBA player is waived, they are removed from their team's roster and placed on waivers, allowing other teams to claim them.

Why are players waived in the WNBA?

Players are waived in the WNBA as teams finalize their rosters, often due to performance, fit, or roster space considerations.

What does it mean for a player to be placed on waivers in the WNBA?

Being placed on waivers means the player is available for other teams to claim, which can lead to a new opportunity or the player becoming a free agent.