WNBA 2026 free agency winners (Liberty!) and losers (Lynx?!)

The WNBA has largely completed its 2026 free agency frenzy, and we have some winners and losers to parse through.

Some of the winners, like the New York Liberty, are obvious. Some of the losers, like the Seattle Storm, are... obvious. However, we might have some surprises within for how this free agency went for the league's teams.

Who is better positioned for contend for a title? Who is better positioned for the top 2027 WNBA Draft selection? Whose moves do we like? Whose moves left us a little confused? We've got answers galore.

Let's run through these winners and losers as the WNBA's 2026 free agency rush comes to a close.

Winner: The Liberty challenging the Aces for superteam status

May 9, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Aces bringing its "core four" back in A'ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Jewell Lloyd represented the biggest win of the WNBA offseason... until the Liberty added All-Star forward Satou Sabally to join its "core three" of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, New York and Las Vegas are the two teams to beat. The combined experience and talent between those two eclipses the rest of the WNBA. To be blunt, you can probably just sim to the end of the season to the finals for Aces-Liberty unless, say, the Indiana Fever getting a healthy Caitlin Clark back skyrockets that squad into the stratosphere or the Atlanta Dream take a big step forward with Angel Reese. That's how formidable these two teams should be during the season.

Loser: The Sky retooling without much thought for the future

#8 Skylar Diggins, Seattle Storm --- $214,466 (Source: Her Hoop Stats)

The Sky has tangled itself into a confounding web in the offseason. Is the team trying to rebuild for the future or push all the chips in as much as it can for the interim? Trading away Angel Reese, the team's franchise face, for two first rounders signaled a hard reset. Signing established vets like Skylar Diggins and Azurá Stevens, trading for Rickea Jackson and trading one of its 2028 first rounders to Washington for Jacy Sheldon should keep the team afloat, but by how much? With Kamilla Cardoso and Elizabeth Williams returning, the Sky will be far more competitive than expected after the Reese trade. However, this roster's ceiling feels like a first-round exit. Trading away a 2028 first for Sheldon feels particularly confusing... not because Sheldon isn't a good player, but if this is the team's original 2028 selection, that could turn into UConn superstar Sarah Strong. The Mystics first-round pick swap in the Atkins trade from last winter and the Sheldon move could come back to haunt Chicago in the worst way.

Winner: The Wings turbocharging their contention window

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 01: Paige Bueckers #5 of the Dallas Wings looks on prior to the start of the game against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center on September 01, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Watch out for the Wings. Dallas has been as aggressive as any team out there, adding impact frontcourt talents from the Lynx like Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard and re-signing longtime standout Arike Ogunbowale to keep its elite backcourt with Paige Bueckers intact. Getting forward Awak Kuier back in the W is a big win, too. Also consider Dallas' promising young talents like Maddy Seigrist, Aziaha James, JJ Quinerly, Li Yueri and the incoming first overall WNBA draft selection (possibly UConn's Azzi Fudd or TCU's Olivia Miles). If all breaks right, the Wings could be in the WNBA Finals in the next couple of seasons... maybe even as soon as the fall. They have aced April, but the pressure is on to cash in on these major investments. The cap will get much harder to navigate from here, and any snags will be harder to recover from with so much money tied up into the aggressive offseason additions.

Loser: The Lynx contending for a title in 2026

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx before the start of the second half against the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena on May 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

In the long run, the Lynx are going to be okay. Cheryl Reeve is arguably the best coach in the league. Napheesa Collier should eventually sign her max contract to keep her as Minnesota's MVP-level anchor. Guards Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride have returned to hold down the backcourt. Natasha Howard has returned to the franchise as a proven veteran who had a solid year with the Indiana Fever in 2025. However, losing Smith, Shepard, Bridget Carleton and Maria Kliundikova absolutely decimated the team's stalwart frontcourt. The team may not get Collier back from her ankle surgeries until maybe July, so Minnesota might be vulnerable for some serious regression. Having the second overall WNBA Draft selection will certainly help, but it could get dicey for the Lynx until Collier is back to full strength and comfortable on the court. The team's title hopes feel much dimmer than usual. However, if the team stays afloat without Collier and rounds form for a playoff run, it'd be quite a feat.

Winner: Caitlin Clark playing Fever basketball her way

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JULY 19: Caitlin Clark #22 of the Indiana Fever looks on during the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Fever didn't have the loudest free agency, and Indiana still needs some help in the frontcourt to support Aliyah Boston. However, the team bringing back Kelsey Mitchell, Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull will keep its elite quartet of guards with Clark intact. Adding Monique Billings felt particularly well-suited for Clark's strengths, as Billings can run the pick-and-roll and capitalize on Clark's uncanny passing abilities. Ty Harris is a backup point guard with extensive experience running Stephanie White's system and can give both Clark and Mitchell relief as a versatile guard with off-ball abilities. The team can still add to its forward room via free agency and the draft, and Makayla Timpson could be ready to take the next step. However, right now, the Fever are built to play Clark's style of basketball. It runs counter to teams built around their bigs, but when you have Clark, you play to her strengths.

Loser: The Mercury trying to get back to the WNBA Finals

The Phoenix Mercury celebrate their 86-81 win over the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA semifinal playoffs at PHX Arena on Sept. 28, 2025.

The Mercury losing Sabally is tough. Getting Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper back was essential to maintaining its competitive edge, but you can't just replace an elite talent like Sabally easily. Without a first rounder and largely settled free agent market, Phoenix will be putting a lot of pressure on its veteran-heavy roster to recapture its 2025 success. DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb are both great players who are nearing retirement; how much do they both have left in the tank? Thomas playing like an MVP alone will do a lot to make the Mercury a headache for the rest of the league, but regression looms as heavily for Phoenix as any team in the WNBA not in Minnesota.

Winner: The Valkyries staying patient with the market

#5 Gabby Williams, Seattle Storm --- $225,000 (Source: Her Hoop Stats)

The Valkyries waiting patiently for two-way superstar Gabby Williams and landed one of the best available players. Golden State then went out and resigned most of its 2025 roster without hammering its salary cap too hard. That approach should keep the Valkyries afloat as a real threat to any team on its schedule. Ballhalla should still be the most dangerous arena in the WNBA, too. We love how the Valks kept the band together with an elite new piece in Williams at their disposal. When this team powers its way to the semifinals, don't be shocked.

Loser: The Mystics not balancing its youth movement with vets

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 22: Sonia Citron #22 of the Washington Mystics celebrates with Kiki Iriafen #44 after scoring the game-winning three-point shot in overtime against the Dallas Wings at Carefirst Arena on June 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. 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 Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

The Mystics had a curiously quiet free agency outside of adding Michaela Onyenwere. They also might lose Shakira Austin to an offer sheet from the Toronto Tempo. What's the deal? You'd think after watching Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen's promising rookie season that Washington would get some veteran talent in to support the youngsters. Well, the team has three first rounders in 2026 and a bundle of first rounders in the future. The WNBA Draft will keep giving the Mystics promising young talents. However, having some veteran leadership will be essential to keeping this very young team afloat as it grows together. The Mystics may be scary one day, but the ceiling is lower than expected without more veterans on the roster to balance out the inexperience. One day, Washington, one day!

Winner: The Storm's odds of getting JuJu Watkins in 2027

Mar 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) during an NCAA Tournament second round game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Seattle Storm should be among the odds-on favorites for the top 2027 WNBA Draft pick along with the Portland Fire and Connecticut Sun. The team has lost most all of its impact veterans outside of Ezi Magbegor. Dominique Malonga should eventually be a force, but she's still coming along. The team has the third overall selection this year, but that player will need time to develop, too. Seattle will probably struggle to amass wins in 2026, but it will all be worth it if USC's JuJu Watkins is playing in a Storm jersey next summer. Maybe one down year won't be so bad?

Loser: The Storm doing anything meaningful in 2026

Jun 29, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Seattle Storm guard Zia Cooke (7) during the third quarter against the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Again, the Storm are not going to be good this year, barring an astronomical leap from Malonga that elevates her to A'ja Wilson levels of play. That's not a knock on Seattle's roster as established, but they just don't have the talent threshold right now to keep up with the WNBA's best teams. If you're a Storm fan, you'll have to bite your lip and wait it out unless this team coalesces in ways we just don't see right now. It might be a long summer in Seattle.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: WNBA 2026 free agency winners (Liberty!) and losers (Lynx?!)