The 2025 WNBA free agency period is here, and with comes a slew of rumors that pertain to who teams will keep, who they will trade for, and, as always, a few surprises to be determined.
Fans can follow along with developments on the WNBA transactions page. It's also a great way to keep up with potential rumors and concoct theories — which is what we're having a lot of fun doing right now.
As longtime WNBA followers and fans know, free agency is always a wild ride. Here are the rumors we're paying attention to right now (and how they might roll out in real life).
The Dallas Wings will lose two of their best players
It's not news that both Natasha Howard and Satou Sabally have expressed a strong desire to depart the Wings. As the team's second and third leading scorers, the blow will be a heavy one for the team. Both players are also unrestricted free agents.
How the Wings lose Howard and Sabally, and what the team gains in return, will vary. While Howard is likely to simply exit to another team outright, it's possible the Wings will core Sabally and trade her for draft picks or other players.
Kelsey Plum is going to the Valkyries
We have been waving this flag for weeks, and now that the Aces have cored Plum, it seems even more likely she's going somewhere — and why not the Bay Area? Placing a core designation on Plum means the Aces will definitely be able to receive something major in return (at least one 2025 draft pick and possibly future picks are on the table) from any team that signs her. Heading to the Valkyries would reunite Plum with Kate Martin, likely a personal win and definitely something fans will enjoy, as well as with Coach Nakase.
The one caveat here is that Plum might prefer a team that's already demonstrated their prowess. She's one of the top players in the WNBA, and if she's walking from the Aces there's a reason.
Satou Sabally will enjoy a hungry market
Though she might miss part of the season for the upcoming EuroBasket dates this summer, Sabally will still be a major scoop for any team in the league. She will command the league's highest salary, but that's a worthy deal for a team who needs a player with her skillset.
The Indiana Fever could trade for Olivia Nelson -Ododa
The Sun is very likely to want to do everything they can to keep DiJonai Carrington on the team's roster, and trading Nalyssa Smith from the Fever for Olivia Nelson-Ododa could solve multiple problems: Carrington and Smith will get to play together, and Indiana would benefit from a player who can run the floor like Nelson-Odoba can.
Another fun thing to consider is that Nelson-Ododa is currently playing overseas with Kelsey Mitchell for the Shanxi Flame.
Alyssa Thomas also goes to the Valkyries
Last week Thomas told reporters at Unrivaled that she's strongly considering leaving the Sun — and it's entirely possible the Valkyries might pick her up. As Thomas explained, a major problem she has with the Sun is the team's lack of facilities, which the Valkyries have in spades.