Richard Cohen Analyzes 2026 WNBA Core Player Decisions
The 2026 WNBA offseason is poised to be one of the most dynamic and fast-paced in league history. Following the conclusion of the recent expansion draft, teams are under a tight deadline to finalize core player decisions, set qualifying offers, and prepare for the upcoming college draft.
Core Player Designation Decisions in the 2026 WNBA Offseason
Under the newly negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), teams have a much clearer framework for handling core player designations. The core player designation acts like the NFL’s franchise tag, allowing a team to retain exclusive negotiating rights with one player who would otherwise become an unrestricted free agent (UFA). The core qualifying offer for the 2026 season has increased to a fully guaranteed $1.4 million, forming 20% of the salary cap.
Key Dates and Processes
- Qualifying Offers Deadline: Teams have two days to send out qualifying offers.
- Negotiation Period: Three days for teams and players to negotiate contracts.
- Contract Signings Begin: Players can start signing new contracts on the weekend following the qualifying offers.
- College Draft: Scheduled for the following Monday after the signing period.
Teams must navigate the delicate balance of signing their existing players, preparing for new acquisitions, and ensuring they do not lose valuable assets during the offseason. One critical aspect of these decisions lies in issuing qualifying offers to players who will become restricted free agents (RFAs) or retaining players as a reserved entity.
Implications of the Core Designation
The core designation allows teams to secure certain players while managing their salary cap commitments. Notably, under the new CBA, only players with six or fewer years of service are eligible for core designation, while those who have hit the limit from previous seasons cannot be cored again. This change will officially take effect starting in 2027, meaning several prominent players will not be eligible this year, including Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones.
Team-by-Team Analysis
As the deadline approaches, teams are assessing their player situations and strategizing on core designations. The following are projected core player moves for several teams:
Atlanta Dream
- Projected Core Player: Allisha Gray
- Other Considerations: Rhyne Howard and Naz Hillmon are RFAs.
Chicago Sky
- Projected Core Player: Ariel Atkins
Dallas Wings
- Projected Core Player: Arike Ogunbowale
Los Angeles Sparks
- Projected Core Player: Kelsey Plum
New York Liberty
- Projected Core Player: Sabrina Ionescu
Seattle Storm
- Projected Core Player: Gabby Williams
Expansion Teams: Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo
- Projected Core Player for Toronto Tempo: Marina Mabrey
The offseason is critical for franchises aiming to build competitive rosters. With multiple teams expected to utilize their core designations, it remains to be seen how the final decisions will shape the landscape of the WNBA.
The next few days promise to deliver exciting developments as teams navigate the complexities of player contracts and their future ambitions. The gravity of these decisions will shape the WNBA season for years to come.
