How does Angel Reese fit in with the Atlanta Dream?
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg breaks down how the new addition of Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream could make the team a championship winner.
Sports Seriously
WNBA free agency enters its fourth day, and things are just starting to heat up.
On Wednesday, a Minnesota-based balloon company caused a frenzy among WNBA fans after sharing a video connected to free agent Nneka Ogwumike, which seemed to insinuate the forward was signing with the Minnesota Lynx. Ogwumike later clarified the balloons were related to a meeting, deflating hours of speculation.
The free agency buzz didn’t end with Ogwumike balloon-gate. Free agent forward Satou Sabally confirmed she wasn’t returning to the Phoenix Mercury after one year with the franchise. It’s unclear where Sabally will land in the coming days.
As free agency continues, it can be hard to keep up with all the movement. USA TODAY has you covered with the latest news, rumors, updates and more.
Nneka Ogwumike’s time in Seattle has come to an end after two seasons.
Ogwumike confirmed her departure from the Seattle Storm on Thursday as 2026 WNBA Free Agency stretched into its fourth day. The 14-year veteran shared a social media post that read, “Thank You Seattle.” Ogwumike captioned the photo collage filled with memories of her time in Seattle with green and yellow hearts.
Ogwumike signed with the Storm in 2024 following 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks and instantly revitalized the franchise. The Storm improved from an 11-29 record in 2023 to 25-15 in 2024 and 23-21 in 2025. The Storm advanced to the playoffs in 2024 and 2025 before making back-to-back first-round exits. Seattle head coach Noelle Quinn was fired following the Storm’s latest playoff exit in 2025.
In her 14th season in the league, Ogwumike averaged 18.3 points (ninth in the league), 7.0 rebounds (13th) and 2.3 assists shooting 51.2% from the field in all 44 games for the Storm. Ogwumike was named an All-Star starter for the fourth consecutive season last year, joining Sue Bird (13), Diana Taurasi (11), Tamika Catchings (10) and Brittney Griner (10) as the only players in WNBA history to receive 10 All-Star nods.
Aces superstar A’ja Wilson said she’s staying in Las Vegas. The same can be said about Jackie Young.
Young is expected to return to Las Vegas on a one-year maximum contract worth $1.19 million, ESPN reported on Thursday as the 2026 WNBA free agency negotiation period continues through Friday, April 10. Players and teams can start signing contracts on Saturday, April 11.
Young has been an integral part of the Aces’ dynasty that’s won three WNBA championships in four seasons. most recently in 2025, where the Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in four games. Young set a record for the most points scored in a WNBA Finals quarter by dropping 21 of her 32 points in the third quarter of Game 2.
More on Young’s expected deal here.
On Thursday, the Aces announced they are re-signing defending champion Kierstan Bell. Bell averaged 4.2 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game in 35 games (16 starts) last season.
“Vegasssss!! Super excited to get back to work and compete for another championship!” Bell said in a statement. “The love doesn’t go unnoticed and I’m blessed to be a part of something so special! Let’s rock.”
On Thursday, the Dallas Wings traded forward Diamond Miller to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for center/forward Rayah Marshall.
In August 2025, Miller joined the Wings via a trade from the Minnesota Lynx. She appeared in 15 games, averaging 3.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists. Miller was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft.
Marshall was the No. 25 overall selection in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She also appeared in 15 games for her previous team, averaging 1.7 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
Free agent guard Kayla McBridde reportedly has a ruptured eardrum. McBride’s overseas team revealed the information during a recent interview. According to Front Office Sports, McBride is expected to be ready in time for WNBA training camp, which starts on April 19.
McBride appears to be taking the injury in stride. She recently posted footage to her Instagram story of her getting shots up.
Per a Front Office Sports report, the Sky and Sparks are reportedly in talks about a trade that would send guard Ariel Atkins to the Sparks for forward Rickea Jackson. If finalized, an announcement would come on Saturday, April 11, when signings become official.
Atkins, an unrestricted free agent, was cored by the Sparks earlier this week, paving the way for the veteran guard to receive a supermax contract from the Sky or be signed and traded to another team. If Atkins were to move on from Chicago, it would come after one season. Atkins was traded in February 2025 for the No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, a 2027 second-round pick and the rights to swap 2027 first-round picks.
A Minnesota-based balloon company caused quite the stir on Wednesday after sharing a video connected to Nneka Ogwumike, one of the top free agents. Amazing Balloons MC LLC posted a now-deleted video that showed the company arranging a blue and green balloon arch around marquee letter that read, “Welcome Nneka.” The balloon arrangement was assembled on a basketball court featuring the Minnesota Lynx, which led many fans to speculate that Ogwumike was signing with the Lynx in free agency.
Ogwumike shared a carousel of memes on Instagram in response to the video and speculation, including a viral video of a person crying with the caption, “Me (because) I can’t travel in peace.” (Warning: NSFW language in videos below)
Ogwumike spent the last two seasons in Seattle after 12 in Los Angeles. The 10-time All-Star averaged 18.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season, while shooting 51.9% from the field.
On Wednesday, free agent forward Satou Sabally confirmed she isn’t returning to Phoenix after one year with the franchise. Sabally shared a photo gallery on Instagram with the caption “Best year yet. Thank you, Phoenix.”
Any player who receives a core qualifying offer (or core designation) is essential to a team’s overall success and identity. Any player given a core tag would no longer be an unrestricted free agent, and the team owns the exclusive rights to that player. Per the WNBA CBA, the player will be offered a one-year supermax contract (worth $1.4 million), but different terms can be negotiated with the team. Also, if the two sides reach an impasse, they can partner to negotiate a sign-and-trade agreement.
Here are the players who were cored by their respective teams:
- Atlanta Dream: G Allisha Gray
- Chicago Sky: G Ariel Atkins
- Dallas Wings: G Arike Ogunbowale
- Indiana Kelsey: G Kelsey Mitchell
- Los Angeles Sparks: G Kelsey Plum
- Minnesota Lynx: G Napheesa Collier
- New York Liberty: G Sabrina Ionescu
- Portland Fire: F Bridget Carleton
- Seattle Storm: F/C Ezi Magbegor
- Toronto Tempo: G Marina Mabrey
Reserve offer: Player with three years of service or less, who receives an offer; the team has exclusive negotiation rights.
Restricted: Player with four years of service, whose team extends an offer. The player can negotiate with other teams, but the previous team has the first right of refusal. The team can match other offers.
- Los Angeles Sparks: F Rae Burrell (Reserved)
- Las Vegas Aces: F NaLyssa Smith (Restricted)
- Washington Mystics: C Shakira Austin (Restricted)
- Connecticut Sun: F Olivia Nelson-Ododa (Restricted)
- Atlanta Dream: G Rhyne Howard (Restricted), F Naz Hillmon (Restricted)
- Golden State Valkyries: G Veronica Burton (Restricted), F Janelle Salaün (Reserved)
- Phoenix Mercury: F Natasha Mack (Reserved), G Monique Akoa Makani (Reserved
Background: After a tumultuous second season with Sky that included a suspension for comments Reese made about the team and her teammates, Reese said she planned to play in Chicago for a third season. “I’m under contract, so yes, I plan on returning to the Sky,” the forward said in December. Now, she moves on to Atlanta in a trade for picks.
Expected Contract: Reese is still on her rookie contract. When drafted by Chicago in 2024, the former Sky forward signed a four-year, $324,383 contract, including an average annual salary of $81,096. In 2026, Reese will earn a base salary of $350,692, while carrying a cap hit of $350,692.
Type of free agent: Unrestricted free agent
Background: Breanna Stewart made it clear there is no other place she would rather play than New York. “I will be staying in New York. I’m not planning on taking any free agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent,” Stewart said on a recent episode of her podcast.
Team player signed with: New York Liberty (unofficially)
Expected Contract: TBD
Type of free agent: Unrestricted free agent
Background: After winning her third championship with the Las Vegas Aces, Wilson has zero desire to move from the franchise. “I’m not leaving Vegas,” Wilson said on April 3.
Team player signed with: Las Vegas Aces (unofficially)
Expected Contract: Wilson is expected to re-sign with the team on a WNBA supermax salary of $1.4 million
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