The WNBA offseason is heating up! With the 2026 free agency negotiation period opening on Wednesday, April 8th, the league is buzzing with anticipation. Teams can officially ink new deals starting Saturday, April 11th, setting the stage for a summer of blockbuster moves and strategic roster building.

To understand the action, it helps to know the rules of the game. The process kicked off with teams issuing qualifying offers and the powerful "Core Designation"—the WNBA's version of a franchise tag. This one-year, supermax contract locks a veteran free agent to their current team. For younger stars, "Reserved" and "Restricted" free agency statuses determine their negotiating power, with original teams holding key rights to match outside offers.

The transaction wire is already active with major news. In a stunning early move, the Chicago Sky have traded reigning Rookie of the Year Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. Atlanta acquires the dynamic forward in exchange for their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, plus a 2028 second-round pick swap, signaling a major push for contention.

Across the league, teams are securing their foundational pieces. The expansion Toronto Tempo are busy, extending Reserved qualifying offers to key players Maria Kliundikova, Julie Allemand, and Nikolina Milić. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream are protecting their depth with Reserved offers to Sika Koné and Lorela Cubaj, and the Portland Fire have made a significant commitment by extending a Core qualifying offer to sharpshooter Bridget Carleton.

This is just the opening tip-off. Stay tuned as we track every signing, trade, and franchise-altering decision right here. The landscape of the 2026 WNBA season is being shaped now.