Fansided

WNBA Free Agency 2023: Winners, losers, and shockers

By Zackery Rogers

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Bosnia and Herzegovina's Jonquel Jones during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Group A match between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Sydney Superdome, on September 23, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Bosnia and Herzegovina's Jonquel Jones during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Group A match between China and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Sydney Superdome, on September 23, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Aug 20, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper (2) shoots against the New York Liberty during the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 20, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper (2) shoots against the New York Liberty during the first half of Game 2 of the first round of the WNBA playoffs at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

WNBA Free Agency losers:

1. Indiana Fever

For the sake of free agency, the Indiana Fever will receive the loser tag (until the draft). This offseason the team signed a familiar face in Erica Wheeler who played with the team from 2016-2019. During Wheeler’s time in Indiana, she did receive all-star honors and won the All-Star Game MVP.

The Rutgers product is a physical guard that can get others involved and get to the rim at will. This is a great pickup for Indiana but the roster is clearly in the rebuilding phase.

The Fever lost long-term guard Tiffany Mitchell in free agency to the Minnesota Lynx. Obviously, Indiana is going to take Aliyah Boston with the first pick in the draft. But the team could position itself to acquire more trade capital now.

Indiana will have a lot to look forward to during and after the draft but for now, the team will have to sit in disappointment for free agency.

2. Connecticut Sun

The Connecticut Sun found themselves on the losing end of the WNBA finals for the second time in four seasons. The franchise lost 3-1 to the Aces in a heartbreaking fashion. After the Finals loss, the team received the news that seven-year coach Curt Miller would be heading to the West Coast to take over as the head coach for the Los Angeles Sparks.

Connecticut’s next domino would be Jasmine Thomas who was traded to the Sparks to be reunited with Miller. The Sun would also trade Jonquel Jones to the Liberty which was a huge blow to their core.

Although Natisha Hiedeman stepped up in the 2022 season while Thomas was out due to injury, the team could use the depth. The Sun will have a lot of questions to answer with first-year head coach Stephanie White, and a new-look roster with familiar pieces.

3. Chicago Sky

The Chicago Sky ended the 2022 season with a loss in the semifinals to the Sun after winning the first franchise title in 2021. Unfortunately, the team’s luck continued to run out as they lost CP3 and Vandersloot to free agency. Chicago also lost Azura Stevens to the Sparks which is another huge blow to their frontcourt.

https://twitter.com/chicagosky/status/1624526242270568448?cxt=HHwWgICz7dOAvYstAAAA

Allie Quigley announced that she would be sitting out for the 2023 season. Although the Sky signed Courtney Williams in free agency, the team is close to a rebuilding phase. Kahleah Copper will be suiting up for Chicago this season but she will be a free agent in 2024. This free agency could be the start of the championship window closing in the windy city.

Home/WNBA