2025 WNBA Trade Deadline Possibilities
We break down where every team stands ahead of Thursday's deadline, whether they should be buying or selling, and who might be on the move
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The midpoint of the 2025 WNBA regular season is disappearing in the rearview mirror and the All-Star break is a fading memory as we head towards the season's final stretch. That means some more important dates are imminent, including the trade deadline which hits at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 7 (i.e. in two days).
As anyone who's been paying attention is aware, this season is an unusual one. Due to the expiring Collective Bargaining Agreement and the expectation that salaries are going to rise dramatically in its successor, the vast majority of the WNBA's players are on expiring contracts. In some ways, that should lead to greater activity at the trade deadline. Unless you plan to core a player who's going to become an unrestricted free agent (and even that includes the belief that coring will still exist in a new CBA), there seems very little point in clinging on to them if they're not helping you contend right now. So a greater percentage of players should seemingly be available than in most normal years. However, with at least 10 teams in range of the playoffs, it can be hard to find teams willing to admit to themselves that they should be selling off assets at the deadline rather than refusing to part with them.
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, a few rules reminders. Both teams must finish any trade under the salary cap (with a small caveat around Las Vegas that's explained in their section below). In the WNBA, when any player is traded, their entire salary for that season swaps from one team's cap sheet to the other (it is not split based on how long they were with either team). But beyond that, there are no salary-matching rules for trades like in the NBA (you could trade three supermax players for a third-round pick if both teams end the deal with legal rosters under the cap). If there's anything else, feel free to ask here or on Bluesky. All the detailed salary information you need can be found on our cap sheets.
I was going to simply offer a few specific trade possibilities and leave it at that, but long-time readers will know that that isn't really my style. So we're going team-by-team, in traditional alphabetical order, looking at whether they should be buyers or sellers at the deadline, what they have available in cap space and roster spots, and then targets they might pursue. Let's hope we see at least a little bit of chaos by Thursday afternoon.
Atlanta Dream
Open roster spots: 1 (the Kamiah Smalls 7-day contract doesn't really count)
Cap space: $20,052
Buyer or seller: Buyer
When net rating says you're the third-best team in the league and the standings show you're nipping at New York's heels for second, you're a buyer if you're doing anything at the deadline. But what's the move? They could maybe add another wing, but they've survived pretty well with Maya Caldwell starting in the hole created by Rhyne Howard's injury, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough is already barely playing. Are they finding someone better than her without significant outlay? And would that cost be worth it when you already have your perimeter starters in place when they're healthy?
If they do anything, I think it's inside. While they've continued to start Brionna Jones and Brittney Griner, it's become increasingly clear that their better lineups are with one of the centers (primarily Jones) and Naz Hillmon at the 4. But despite the success of those smaller, more 4-out lineups, Nia Coffey hasn't played much as the other smaller option at the 4. So maybe someone else who could play the smaller stretch-4 role when Hillmon isn't out there, or in case she gets hurt? Something like Coffey and Taylor Thierry for Myisha Hines-Allen would work in cap terms, with Atlanta likely having to throw in a minor pick to get Dallas interested. Aaliyah Edwards from Washington would probably cost them a first-rounder, but would have more future value. Michaela Onyenwere straight up for Coffey works - and would mean adding both the wing and the smaller 4, given Onyenwere still plays a little of both - with Atlanta again likely having to add a late pick.
I'm not convinced they ultimately feel any of those deals are worth making. Coffey had a nice game on Sunday night, reminding head coach Karl Smesko that she might be a viable option herself. So unless the neck injury that has kept Griner out of a couple of recent games is serious, the Dream may well stand pat.
Chicago Sky
Open roster spots: 0
Cap space: $27,473
Buyer or seller: Sell, sell, sell!
I've been saying this for months now. Outside of the young players they consider parts of their core for the future, Chicago should be trying hard to sell anything that's not nailed down. This is a bad team that's going nowhere this year. If you have veteran pieces with any value left, take the damn value.
That means Ariel Atkins, Rebecca Allen, Elizabeth Williams, Rachel Banham, Kia Nurse and probably Michaela Onyenwere should all be available if anyone wants to make a remotely reasonable offer. However, when you've been bad all season you don't exactly put players in the best light to showcase their value. Atkins has also been hurt and not played since July 17, with very little public information about when she might return (although her listing for tonight’s game was just upgraded to ‘questionable’). So if they were willing to move on from the player that cost them the 2025 No. 3 pick and first-round swap rights in 2027, it's become a little more difficult. If other teams aren’t convinced of her health, the Sky might have to hold on to her and maintain that hope that she sticks around for future seasons. If they can get a decent first-rounder for her, I’d swallow your pride and take it.
Beyond that, it’s smaller moves for the others and hoping someone might be desperate enough to offer a first-round pick for players who'll be backups on any contending team. Ultimately they should probably take a second-rounder and/or a younger player with some upside for any of them, because why not? The Sky should already be focusing on 2026 and beyond.
Connecticut Sun
Open roster spots: 2 (again, 7-day deals scarcely count)
Cap space: $265,063
Buyer or seller: Sell, sell, sell!
The vagaries of alphabetization mean we have our two most glaring sellers very early in the list. While they've looked a little better lately, the 2025 Sun are awful and rebuilding, and any veteran should be very, very available. They also have acres and acres of cap space, which makes deals easier from their side and could even mean they could get something just for taking on a contract someone needs to dump for the space.
They've already leaned young, so there aren't that many veteran options still around to trade, but there are a few. Marina Mabrey, whom the Sun traded for last season at significant cost, is the most obvious piece. Her numbers this season are frankly terrible, but she has an established track record of being able to score in quick and dangerous bursts from the perimeter, and everyone always wants scoring. The problem is that $210,000 protected contract, and the fact that she asked for a trade in preseason and the Sun didn't get any offers they liked. Is that situation any different now? Maybe the Sun's price is lower, or someone else might be more desperate, but we'll see. Most contenders would have to do something complicated to fit in that contract, and combined with the Sun's price they might not see the value.
Beyond Mabrey it's probably a question of whether anyone needs a veteran backup point guard. Both Bria Hartley and Lindsay Allen could be of use somewhere, even if just as insurance. They'd probably garner a second-round pick at most, but I'd bite their hand off if anyone's offering that for either. After that, I doubt anyone's making offers for Tina Charles. If she were to go anywhere it'd probably be on the minimum after a buyout, but even that looks rather unlikely at this stage in her career.
Dallas Wings
Open roster spots: 0 (1 after waiving Karlie Samuelson, which isn’t technically official at time of writing)
Cap space: $36,922
Buyer or seller: Seller
They might've been anticipating a playoff push before the season began, and mathematically they're still alive, but I think general manager Curt Miller is realistic enough to know they're a seller heading into the deadline. The problem is that most of their roster is already pretty young and likely seen as part of their future, and the veterans who might be available are all making at least $200,000. That makes deals possible, but tricky.
That's what this section said when I wrote it on Sunday, moments before they made exactly the kind of deal I was going to go on to suggest. DiJonai Carrington was sent to Minnesota for Diamond Miller, the injured Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round pick. It makes total sense. Carrington hadn't really worked out in Dallas, and was probably unlikely to stick around after 2025. Maybe someone could've gotten desperate enough to cough up a first-rounder for her by Thursday, but it didn't seem likely. Instead, Dallas get a second-rounder and a look at Miller, a former No. 2 overall pick with real athletic ability that the Lynx basically gave up on a while ago. There could still be a legitimate WNBA player in there, and it's definitely worth finding out.
To complete that 2-for-1 trade, the Wings had to waive someone first to open a roster spot. They chose Teaira McCowan, which indicates they saw very little chance of getting trade value for her before the deadline. McCowan's always been a fascinating player, capable of absolutely dominating with her size and physicality on her day, but frustratingly inconsistent and tricky to fit in defensively without building the system around her. It's unlikely anyone claims her $201,400 contract off waivers, but it'll be interesting to see who wants her on a minimum deal after she clears.
With Carrington and McCowan gone - and barring a shocking headline deal for star guard Arike Ogunbowale - the only veteran left for Dallas to move would be Myisha Hines-Allen. Minnesota brought her in at the deadline last year and it worked out pretty well, which might encourage suitors this year - although again, the $203,000 protected contract complicates things. Someone looking for an athletic 4 to give them some grit, energy and rebounding might be interested, although I doubt they get much back beyond another second-rounder.
Golden State Valkyries
Open roster spots: 0
Cap space: $295,441
Buyer or seller: Umm...
I've been waiting on 'sell' trades from Golden State since before their expansion draft, never mind before or during the 2025 regular season. However, they're now a genuine playoff contender, which might have changed things a little. I still don't think they're going to be out there throwing picks at people to try to bring in upgrades and make a title push this year, but they might be a little less open to offers for their veterans than they would've been a while ago. That said, this is a team that all season long has shown a capacity to fight and win games regardless of which players are actually available. They lost a host of players to EuroBasket Women, have had various people out due to injuries (including the recent season-ending knee surgery for All-Star Kayla Thornton), and nothing much seems to change. If you're confident in your ability to maintain that process, why not get value for your veterans if anyone's offering it?
If they were willing to go even smaller or trust recent addition Iliana Rupert in a starting role, then maybe Temi Fagbenle would appeal to teams as an extra rotation big? Tiffany Hayes as an off-guard scorer or Cecilia Zandalasini as a wing gunner definitely might (although in both cases it would require knowing that they'll return from their recent injuries soon). But these are all the sort of deals that could've been made a while ago. Unless other teams have gotten particularly desperate, feeling like they're one piece away from a real playoff push or title charge, nothing much seems likely to have changed. And if Golden State didn't like the offers before (assuming there were any out there at all), why would they like them now? I'd trade any of those veterans for a first-round pick if it was on offer, but if the most that's out there is a second-rounder, I'd fully understand just keeping them. A playoff game at Balhalla, even if it's only one, could be a hell of an event.
Indiana Fever
Open roster spots: 0
Cap space: $95,320
Buyer or seller: Buyer
After all the moves they made before the season, and still being very much in the playoff mix despite Caitlin Clark's injuries, the Fever would be a team looking to buy if they do anything. However, last week they signed Aussie forward Chloe Bibby to a Rest-of-Season contract rather than continuing to roll over 7-day deals with her. Maybe she had offers from elsewhere so they had to make a decision, but that cut over $23,000 from their cap space. They still have a significant amount left, but being willing to make that Bibby move may suggest they're not expecting to do anything else by Thursday.
If they were to make a deal, it still feels like they'd be looking for an insurance post. The boost to the guard corps would be expected to come from Clark's return but as Bibby's signing illustrates, they've had issues with backup posts all season. Brianna Turner and Makayla Timpson rarely make it off the bench, while Damiris Dantas has shot poorly all year. So maybe they're the ones who give up a first to Washington for Aaliyah Edwards? Or a smaller price to the same team for Emily Engstler, if she's available? Turner (or Dantas) plus their cap space wouldn't be enough to fit Myisha Hines-Allen, so that would have to get more complicated if they wanted to fit her in. Bringing Temi Fagbenle back from Golden State (after they arguably should've protected her in the expansion draft) would make sense, but probably not if the Valkyries want more than a second-rounder. The Fever may feel that Bibby (plus maybe whoever might be available as a free agent in coming weeks) is their business done.
Las Vegas Aces
Open roster spots: 1-ish (it's complicated)
Cap space: -$23,646 sort of (also complicated)
Buyer or seller: Depends on your perspective
The Aces are one of the most complicated cases for this article, for a variety of reasons. They're technically over the cap, but for trade purposes the players considered pregnancy/childbirth replacements for Cheyenne Parker-Tyus don't count. That's how they managed to legally complete the NaLyssa Smith trade a month ago. If we delete the money they paid to Crystal Bradford and Joyner Holmes (who were those designated replacements), they have $9,680 of cap space for trade purposes. Exactly why they've not been using that replacement spot for the last month since waiving Holmes, your guess is as good as mine.
However, they're in a weird position even ignoring those mathematical complications. They're not good. Mentally, due to their performances in recent years, they likely still consider themselves a top team and a contender - if things would just click back into place. But by virtually any metric, this is barely a playoff team. Net rating has them battling with Washington as the eighth-best team in the league. Most teams in that situation should be looking to sell if there's any value on the table, especially considering the Aces have already traded away their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks.
But who do you sell when you're presumably hoping star players like A'ja Wilson and Jackie Young stick around for the next iteration of the Aces after reloading in 2026 free agency? Chelsea Gray is probably on that list next to Wilson and Young, despite nearing 33 years old. Jewell Loyd is having a season that certainly hasn't helped her trade value, and few teams will want to give up any real value for her while also having to make room for her supermax contract. That only really leaves backups who'd get them a second-rounder at best. Dana Evans, Megan Gustafson and even a re-traded Smith might draw that kind of interest if they were offered around, but it doesn't seem worth it. The more likely scenario seems to be holding on to everyone and continuing to hope that things click (and maybe seeing if Teaira McCowan wants that Parker-Tyus replacement spot after clearing waivers). The chances of success seem slim.
Los Angeles Sparks
Open roster spots: 1 (again ignoring 7-day deals)
Cap space: $88,390
Buyer or seller: Probable seller
A couple of weeks ago, the Sparks were a definitive seller and had a piece or two that might've made interesting options before Thursday. Since then, they've won six of their last seven games and inserted themselves into the playoff hunt, along with adding a returning Cameron Brink to their rotation. Even after that, I still think they'd be more willing than Las Vegas to admit that they're targeting future seasons and should take value for veterans if it's on offer, but they might be less keen to make those deals than a month ago.
If they were looking to add someone to help a playoff push it's tricky. The guard options next to Kelsey Plum have been in flux all year, but they now seem to have settled on the Belgian pair of Julie Allemand and Julie Vanloo. Meanwhile in the frontcourt they have their established trio of Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby and Azurá Stevens, plus Brink off the bench. So unless someone got hurt, there really aren't that many minutes available unless they were to make a major move for someone who demands them. It's tempting to look for someone who could help them defensively - bringing back Brittney Sykes, for example - but you only pay the price for someone like that if you think they make you a real contender this year. Even after the recent wins, it's probably a stretch to believe that could happen.
So do you go the other way? Stevens was a popular suggestion as a trade target for other teams, especially in the midst of a career year. But unless a true quality starter is coming back the other way, that would be a glaring admittance that they're giving up on 2025, hoping to make the lottery rather than the playoffs, and targeting the future. Teams don't usually like to do that when they're on the edge of a playoff spot, and their veterans definitely wouldn't appreciate it. My guess is they do nothing either way, or if anything happens it's around the margins. Someone throws them a low pick to have Emma Cannon as a backup post, or something like that. Maybe even someone else likes Sarah Ashlee Barker more than they do after the rookie basically disappeared from the rotation for the last month. But anything that really moves the needle in either direction would be a surprise.
Minnesota Lynx
Open roster spots: 2 (again, if we ignore Yvonne Anderson's 7-day deal)
Cap space: $37,541
Buyer or seller: Buyer
If you go back to Thursday's Her Hoop Stats podcast, you can hear me talking to Cindy Brunson about the possibility of Minnesota making a move to add a wing, because they really didn't have any that Cheryl Reeve was willing to play behind starters Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton. I say this purely to indicate that I was going to suggest something very similar to the move the Lynx actually already made on Sunday, bringing in DiJonai Carrington from Dallas. Assuming the incoming player was on a significant contract, the outgoing pieces were always going to be Diamond Miller - an athlete who's shown real flashes of talent, but who Reeve clearly didn't trust - and Karlie Samuelson (who became essentially a $118,450 moveable piece after her injury).
Carrington hasn't had a great season in Dallas by any means, but we all know she can defend and Minnesota will simplify the game for her. She might have to prove she can shoot a percentage from beyond the arc that starts with a 3 in order to earn real postseason playing time, but at the very least she should help McBride and Carleton play fewer minutes down the stretch. Hopefully her ability as a cutter - on a very unselfish team that loves to pass - will make up for 3-point shooting that's unlikely to be at the level of her new teammates.
That was probably Minnesota's big move before the deadline, because they don't have a lot left with value that they'd want to trade. However, being a 2-for-1 deal, it did create an extra roster spot. So especially if Napheesa Collier's injury means she'll be missing for a while, expect them to look for some kind of big to fill that hole. They could just bring back Marième Badiane (or Alissa Pili once her 7-day is done in LA), but don't be surprised if they get a bit more creative than that. You're an attractive destination when you're sat at the top of the standings and a favourite for the title.
New York Liberty
Open roster spots: 0
Cap space: $44,165
Buyer or seller: Buyer (within those binary options)
Even more so than the Lynx, New York's moves are probably done. They signed Aussie wing Stephanie Talbot into their open roster spot a couple of weeks ago, and then won the Emma Meesseman sweepstakes (which required sacrificing guard Jaylyn Sherrod to open the necessary roster spot). With all that completed, it's hard to see anyone else they'd want to give up in search of an upgrade for the remainder of the season.
Maybe, having added Talbot and given up Sherrod, they could think an additional ballhandler would be preferable over a wing like Rebekah Gardner. If Natasha Cloud or Sabrina Ionescu were to get hurt, they don't have a lot of good options to run the offense (especially with Breanna Stewart injured, who might be next up if she was available). In that scenario, someone like Lindsay Allen from Chicago would make some sense as a steady hand who's proven she can run a WNBA offense. But I doubt they go in that direction. They know the value of all those lengthy, mobile wing players, and there are enough players on the roster who can handle the ball if they're forced into their emergency options.
Lately, the Liberty have also looked short of posts, but that's because Stewart, Kennedy Burke and Nyara Sabally have all been hurt at the same time. Especially with Meesseman now in the fold, I don't expect them to make a panic move to add yet another insurance post. The most likely destination for that remaining $44,165 of cap space is as Time-Off Bonuses for the stars currently on the roster.
Phoenix Mercury
Open roster spots: 1
Cap space: $67,139
Buyer or seller: Buyer
Another team that's been flirting with contention all season and has veteran stars expecting to win immediately, the Mercury would surely be looking to upgrade if they do anything before the deadline. The question is what? They already added DeWanna Bonner midseason, bringing another veteran switchy forward into the mix (and cutting their remaining available cap space pretty much in half). They have some space and likely Kalani Brown's $128,750 contract to build a deal, but anything significant might cost them their 2027 first-rounder (which they somehow clung on to through the Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally trades). Is that price worth it for what might be available?
After a strong start to the season (often regardless of which players were actually healthy and available), the Mercury have run into a rough patch in recent weeks. They've lost five of their last seven games, keeping them behind New York despite the Liberty's own losing streak, and dragging them back to the chasing pack. But for such an unusual team, that often has Alyssa Thomas running point while playing essentially center at the other end, what do you add? They can already go big with Brown or Natasha Mack if they want, or slide smaller with extra guards to take some of the creation load off Thomas. I don't think they'll feel a small addition is worth it. There would be no real guarantee that a rotation backup from elsewhere would be any better than players who've already been in the fold all year like Monique Akoa Makani, Lexi Held, Kitija Laksa and Kathryn Westbeld.
So your enquiries would have to be for talent considered a clear upgrade. Like Brittney Sykes from Washington, who'd help their perimeter defense and still fit into the switchy schemes that players like Thomas, Sabally and Bonner lead you into. Or Azurá Stevens if LA were willing to consider it, who'd add some length to their defense while still being able to stretch the floor - a virtual necessity when the ball is constantly in Thomas's hands. Both those options would just fit into their remaining space as long as Brown went the other way, but would surely cost that 2027 first (Ariel Atkins from Chicago would also be a nice fit on the court, but her fractionally more expensive contract would make a deal significantly more complicated). Even from a franchise that has constantly traded away their draft picks, I'm not convinced that Phoenix will think the price is worth it (even assuming the other teams involved would take the offer). This may be another team that'll do a lot of talking behind the scenes before Thursday, but ultimately do nothing.
Seattle Storm
Open roster spots: 0
Cap space: $223
Buyer or seller: Buyer, in theory
Oh Seattle. We're back here again. I was pushing for the Storm to make a deal back in preseason, when Katie Lou Samuelson got hurt and became essentially just a moveable line on the balance sheet. Instead they sat around and waited until they had enough cap space to add a player on the pro-rated veteran minimum, then signed Tiffany Mitchell, who immediately became their first perimeter player off the bench. The Storm are right in the thick of the playoff race and capable of beating anyone on their day, but they still look unlikely to beat a top team in a playoff series and could use reliable bench help everywhere. But are they willing to pull the trigger?
The potential difference from earlier in the season is how much Alysha Clark has faded out of the Storm rotation. She opened the year as a starter before being replaced by Erica Wheeler, and her impact from the bench has been limited lately. She didn't play at all in Friday night's double-overtime game against LA and only made a brief appearance on Sunday against Indiana, which could indicate she's already involved in trade discussions. Including her $185,000 contract would put the Storm within reach of much bigger targets, assuming they're willing to add significant draft capital on top - and they currently have three 2026 first-rounders to work with.
The growth of Dominique Malonga and the addition of Mitchell means the Storm at least go seven-ish deep now, but also means they could use help anywhere. If you've read the other entries above, you know the likely names by now if they're going to push their chips into the middle of the table rather than betting on the edges. Sykes from Washington (or Edwards, if they wanted to lean younger); Atkins from Chicago if she's anywhere near healthy; Mabrey from Connecticut if they think she's worth it; Stevens from LA if she's available, etc. All could help, all are within reach in cap terms if Clark's in the deal (although their complete lack of cap space would mean it has to be Clark plus someone else in most cases), and all probably cost one of those first-round picks (at least). Maybe you could prise someone like Cecilia Zandalasini away from Golden State for a smaller cost, but if that's the case they should've made the deal months ago.
I hope they do something. Before her injury, Atkins would've been my favourite option for her ability to help at both ends of the floor without needing the ball in her hands. Sykes would fit right in with their active, energetic defense, but her shaky outside shot would concern me a little. At this point, Mabrey might be the most likely, as a search for instant offense on a team that sometimes struggles for it. I'm not convinced she'd really fix things for Seattle, but at least it would be an active move. I'd love to see them do something meaningful to help this team that constantly seems close, but not quite there.
Washington Mystics
Open roster spots: 0 (but 1 temporarily while Sika Koné is at AfroBasket)
Cap space: $394,308
Buyer or seller: Seller, probably?
The Mystics are another team, a little like Golden State, where they were supposed to be sellers but things may have changed. The kids have proven they can play and put Washington in the hunt for a playoff spot, which does have real value. It means the regular season games matter down the stretch, and potentially gives all your yougsters an early taste of professional playoff basketball that could help prepare them for future years (even if an actual playoff run through multiple rounds seems very unlikely). So do you still sell off all the veterans if you get a decent offer? Maybe.
Stefanie Dolson is surely available, but having a rough shooting season and carrying a $170,000 protected contract doesn't seem likely to draw much interest. The veteran who may still have real value is Brittney Sykes, who finally made her first All-Star team this year. Her shooting numbers aren't great in terms of efficiency, but she gives you a little of everything. She remains an excellent perimeter defender, she can create off the dribble, and as her career's worn on she's become a much better distributor. She'd make almost any team better. She's also become a little less centric to everything Washington do as we've gotten deeper into the season, so they could likely cope with losing her more easily. Maybe they won't want to break up this squad that's on the fringe of a playoff spot, but if there's a first-round pick on offer by Thursday - especially if it's a good one - I'd take it. The kids can survive without her now.
After that, it's a matter of whether they find any offers they like for their post depth. Aaliyah Edwards has reportedly been on the trading block for a while without anything being completed, and Emily Engstler is the kind of energetic combo-forward that lots of teams could find a use for. Engstler is only 25, and if they're expecting to move Edwards - whether before the deadline or at some later date - I'd want to keep Engstler as useful bench depth on a similar timeline to their other young players. So that leaves Edwards. If anyone offers up a first-rounder, even one likely to be near the end of the round, they'd probably take it. Her value's not going to go up while she's buried behind Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin in the post rotation.
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Great analysis Richard. Thank you. I would agree we will see a couple of moves before the deadline. Plus do teams have to look ahead whom they would protect in the expansion draft - have to think the new CBA and free agency would occur before the expansion draft.
I'm confused on the Vegas bit. I thought they had 1 open roster spot plus a temp spot for CPT. I was under the impression they could still sign a vet minimum player that won't have to leave if /when CPT comes back.