Mock 2021 WNBA Free Agency Podcast

On the latest unplugged episode, we simulate the 2021 WNBA offseason

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Mock 2021 WNBA Free Agency Podcast

WNBA Free Agency starts January 1st when teams can begin making core, restricted, and reserved qualifying offers to their free agents.  Here at Her Hoop Stats, we were so excited that we went ahead and simulated Free Agency in a very special Unplugged Mock Free Agency podcast.  Inspired by the Dunc’d On NBA Mock Free Agency podcast, our Megan Gauer took on the role of agent to all the players while the rest of the group served as General Manager for two teams each.  

Kevin Pelton of ESPN covered Seattle and Indiana, Ben Dull of the Floor Game newsletter handled Las Vegas and Dallas, Richard Cohen represented Minnesota and Los Angeles, Clay Kallam took Phoenix and Chicago, Gabe Ibrahim led New York and Washington, and Aaron Barzilai negotiated for Atlanta and Connecticut.  

You can listen to the podcast by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. Already a subscriber? Then please rate and review us so more people can learn about our work.

If you don’t want to listen to the full podcast, the summary of transactions appears below. What part of our mock free agency did you find most surprising?  Which of the hypothetical teams do you think would be the favorite for the 2021 championship? Let us know in the comments. WNBA team employees, this is your chance to tell us what mistakes we made instead of the other way around!

Phase I: Jan 1 to 14

Core Player designations were placed on the following players

• Liz Cambage (LVA)

• Chelsea Gray (LAS)

• Natasha Howard (SEA)

• Emma Meesseman (WAS)

Restricted Qualifying Offers were made to the following players:

• Allisha Gray (DAL)

• Reshanda Gray (LAS)

• Brionna Jones (CON)

• Erica McCall (MIN)

• Brittney Sykes (LAS)

• Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (PHX)

• Sami Whitcomb (SEA)

Reserved Qualifying Offers were made to the following players:

• Lindsay Allen (LVA)

• Emma Cannon (LVA)

• Bridget Carleton (MIN)

• Te'a Cooper (LAS)

• Temi Fagbenle (MIN)

• Jacki Gemelos (WAS)

• Natisha Hiedeman (CON)

• Joyner Holmes (NYL)

• Stella Johnson (WAS)

• Beatrice Mompremier (CON)

Phase II: Jan 15 to 31 negotiation 

Unrestricted Free Agents:

• Alyssa Thomas with CON for 4 yrs/$925,661 ($221,450/$228,094/$234,737/$241,381)

• Chelsea Gray with LAS for 4 yrs/$925,661 ($221,450/$228,094/$234,737/$241,381)

• Nneka Ogwumike with LAS for 3 yrs/$618,000 ($200,000/$206,000/$212,000)

• Natasha Howard with SEA for 3 yrs/$615,000 ($200,000/$205,000/$210,000)

• Alysha Clark with SEA for 3 yrs/$588,800 ($190,550/$196,267/$201,983)

• Cheyenne Parker with CHI for 3 yrs/$588,800 ($190,550/$196,267/$201,983)

• Aerial Powers moves to MIN for 3 yrs/$588,800 ($190,550/$196,267/$201,983)

• Betnijah Laney with ATL for 3 yrs/$525,300 ($170,000/$175,100/$180,200)

• Candace Parker with LAS for 2 yrs/$449,544 ($221,450/$228,094)

• Erica Wheeler with IND for 2 yrs/$300,000 ($150,000/$150,000)

• Liz Cambage with LVA for 1 yr/$221,450 

• Diana Taurasi with PHX for 1 yr/$221,450 

• Sue Bird with SEA for 1 yr/$221,450 

• Emma Meesseman with WAS for 1 yr/$190,000 

• Kayla McBride with LVA for 1 yr/$175,000 

• Jasmine Thomas with CON for 1 yr/$170,000 

• Tina Charles with WAS for 1 yr/$140,000 

• Tianna Hawkins moves to LVA for 1 yr/$110,000 

• Riquna Williams moves to WAS for 1 yr/$85,000 

• Candice Dupree moves to WAS for 1 yr/$85,000 

• Danielle Robinson with LVA for 1 yr/$70,040 

• Seimone Augustus to retire

• Maya Moore chose not to play in 2021

Restricted Free Agents:

• Brionna Jones with CON for 1 yr/$100,000 

• Allisha Gray moves to IND via sign and trade for 3 yrs/$588,971 ($190,550/$196,267/$202,154)

• Brittney Sykes with LAS (matching NYL) for 2 yrs/$243,600 ($120,000/$123,600)

• Sami Whitcomb moves to IND for 2 yrs/$300,000 ($150,000/$150,000)

• Shatori Walker-Kimbrough with PHX for 2 yrs/$200,000 ($100,000/$100,000)

Reserved Free Agents:

• Reshanda Gray with LAS for 1 yr/$70,040

• Te’a Cooper with LAS for 1 yr/$58,710

• Maria Conde moves to LVA for 1 yr/$58,710

• Jaylyn Agnew moves to LVA for 1 yr/$58,710

• Rights to Jacki Gemelos renounced by Washington

Suspended-Contract Expired:

• Chiney Ogwumike released by LAS, moves to NYL for 1 yr/$150,000

• Natasha Cloud with WAS for 1 yr/$140,000

• LaToya Sanders with WAS for 1 yr/$94,000

Trades: 

• Dallas trades Allisha Gray with her consent in a sign and trade along with Isabelle Harrison, Kayla Thornton, and the 2021 No. 7 pick to Indiana for Victoria Vivians and the No. 4 pick

• Los Angeles acquires the 2021 No. 6 pick from Phoenix for Kristine Anigwe and the 2021 No. 22 pick

• Seattle acquires Sydney Wiese and Los Angeles’ 2022 2nd round pick for Seattle’s 2022 1st round pick

Notable Waivers:

• Kiah Gillespie (CHI)

• Crystal Langhorne (SEA)

• Stephanie Mavunga (CHI)

• Morgan Tuck (SEA)

Notable Rookie Extensions:

• A’ja Wilson with LVA for 4 yrs/$953,430 ($228,094/$234,936/$241,779/$248,622)

Notable players we didn’t quite get to due to time:

• Natalie Achonwa

• Jessica Breland

• Bridget Carleton

• Sydney Colson

• Blake Dietrick

• Temi Fagbenle

• Bria Holmes

• Glory Johnson

• Jantel Lavender

• Renee Montgomery

• Theresa Plaisance

• Kia Vaughn

• Cecilia Zandalasini

• Other rookie extensions

Summary by team:

• By rule teams must have a roster with 11 or 12 players and a salary between the cap of $1,339,000 and the minimum of $1,120,770

• Atlanta is $188,663 under the cap with 11 players on the roster and the No. 3, 15, and 27th pick in the 2021 draft

• Chicago is $137,775 under the cap with 9 players on the roster and the No. 8 pick in the 2021 draft

• Connecticut is $135,684 under the cap with 9 players on the roster and the No. 20, 21, and 30 pick in the 2021 draft

• Dallas is $467,877 under the cap and $249,647 under the minimum with 10 players on the roster and the No. 2, 4, 5, 13, and 16 pick in the 2021 draft

• Indiana is $141,425 under the cap with 12 players on the roster and the No. 7, 14, 19, 26, 31, and 33 pick in the 2021 draft

• Las Vegas is $162,271 under the cap with 11 players on the roster and the No. 12, 24, and 36 pick in the 2021 draft

• Los Angeles is $38,050 under the cap with 10 players on the roster and the No. 6, 10, 28, and 34 pick in the 2021 draft

• Minnesota is $308,885 under the cap and $90,655 under the minimum with 11 players on the roster and the No. 9 pick in the 2021 draft

• New York has 14 players on the roster and the No. 1, 17, 25, and 29 pick in the 2021 draft.  With their 10 most expensive players, Asia Durr, and their top draft pick they are $306,803 under the cap and $88,573 under the minimum.

• Phoenix is $207,970 under the cap with 8 players on the roster and the No. 22 and 32 pick in the 2021 draft

• Seattle is $72,409 under the cap with 10 players on the roster and the No. 11, 18, 23, and 35 pick in the 2021 draft

• Washington is $2,550 under the cap with 12 players on the roster and no picks in the 2021 draft

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