WNBA free agency chaos showing power lies in players hands more than ever before

Jewell Loyd donned a gray dri-fit shirt with the Las Vegas Aces logo across the chest as she sat in front of a black backboard branded with more of her new team logos Saturday for her introductory press conference.A smile was plastered across her face. After spending the past decade with the Seattle Storm, Loyd is excited and rejuvenated for a new opportunity. She called joining the Aces as part of the three-team trade that sent Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles and the 2025 No.

2 overall pick to Seattle a “fresh breath.” “I can’t wait,” Loyd said.“I’ve been smiling the whole week.” Loyd and Plum were among the first major moves of free agency that sent shockwaves through the league. Since news broke of that tentative deal earlier this week – which was made official on the first day of the WNBA free agency signing period Saturday – many other high-profile players have decided to suit up for different teams in 2025. Alyssa Thomas is expected to sign with the Phoenix Mercury after spending the first 11 years of her WNBA career with the Connecticut Sun.

She’ll be playing alongside Satou Sabally, who was moved to Phoenix as part of another major three-team trade. Longtime Mercury center and nine-time All-Star Brittney Griner landed on the Atlanta Dream as her next destination, where she’ll team up with Brionna Jones who left Connecticut this offseason after eight seasons. Courtney Vandersloot is returning to the Sky after spending two seasons in New York, and Kelsey Mitchell is expected to re-sign with the Indiana Fever. The list can go on and on. But this trend of massive player movement in free agency has been ramping up for several years now.It’s partly due to players being more empowered than ever to dictate where they want to play. “That’s just the evolution of the league and what we’re seeing basketball and women’s sports going,” Loyd said.

“There’s definitely a lot more freedom and things happening and changes. “F...