A historic WNBA season is in the books, and an active offseason is already underway. We've had a ton of movement on the coaching front. The draft lottery—aka the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes—is happening next month. The expansion draft for the Golden State Valkyries will commence in December.

And then, we should have a fun free-agency period on our hands.

There are a ton of notable names on the market. And because a new TV deal (and CBA) is looming, the expectation is for most players to take one-year contracts this offseason. That could set the table for a lot of movement.

Naturally, not every big name slated to become a free agent will actually be going anywhere. For example, Phoenix Mercury legend Diana Taurasi is an unrestricted free agent, but it's much more likely that she'll retire rather than seriously explore her options elsewhere. It'll be Mercury or bust.

We'll get into some of the top names available, but first, a bit of housekeeping.

Likely Core Candidates

Before digging into the actual list of free agents, it's time to be a bit of a wet blanket. While the free-agency class is technically headlined by superstars, there are a few that (likely) won't be going anywhere, even if they want to.

That's due to the core designation, a tool similar to the NFL's franchise tag that teams have at their disposal to prevent an unrestricted free agent from truly testing the market. You can read a full explainer here, courtesy of the fine folks at Her Hoop Stats, but the short of it is that a "cored" player is automatically given a one-year, super-max offer sheet.

A player can accept and play on that deal, or they can negotiate different terms—a long-term deal, a one-year deal at less than the max or anything in between. Below is a list of players that are eligible to be cored—and likely will be, if there's a hint of interest in joining another team.

Breanna Stewart (NYL)

The two-time MVP is coming off another All-World campaign, one that ended in her third championship. Stewart was cored last season and recently said she plans to "burn my core [year]" and opt for a one-year deal. There's no real incentive for her to leave the Liberty anyway.

Alyssa Thomas (CON)

There's a lot of smoke surrounding the Connecticut Sun's future, particularly in regard to head coach Stephanie White. Even with that, it's hard to imagine the Sun tearing the roster down after making a win-now trade for guard Marina Mabrey roughly three months ago. Thomas is still an MVP-plus-DPOY-caliber talent; the Sun don't have much incentive to let her test the market in earnest.

Kelsey Plum (LVA)

There's understandable angst surrounding Plum's free agency, as she's the only member of the Aces' Core Four—A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray being the others—who didn't agree to a contract extension before the season. Following a tough loss to the eventual champion Liberty in the second round, there's an argument for the Aces to tinker with the roster in a real way. I don't think that would involve Plum leaving, as she is and has been crucial to their success. Even if the Aces and Plum want to move on from each other, a core-plus-trade scenario feels more logical than letting Plum walk outright.

Satou Sabally (DAL)

The versatile forward hits the market just as the Wings find themselves in a state of flux. They recently fired head coach Latricia Trammell and are on the hunt for a new general manager. It's unclear if the Wings will look to retool or rebuild this offseason; either option would be easier to accomplish with the 26-year-old Sabally back in the fold in some capacity. Similar to Plum and the Aces, it's hard to imagine the Wings allowing Sabally to walk for nothing.

Kelsey Mitchell (IND)

Mitchell's coming off a career year playing alongside Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston, and ultimately made the postseason for the first time in her career. Mitchell has expressed her excitement about exploring free agency for the first time in her career; the Fever, specifically now-former general manager Lin Dunn, has been clear about their desire to bring Mitchell back.

Elena Delle Donne (WAS)

The Mystics cored Delle Donne last season, though she ultimately decided to step away for the year. There's no current word on if she plans to play next season, but if she does, the Mystics could (and likely would) retain her rights with another core offer.

Now, let's dig into the top 10.

No. 10-6

10. Tina Charles (UFA)

Age: 35

2024 per-game averages: 14.9 points (47.3 percent on 2s, 26.2 percent on 3s), 9.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.9 steals

After not playing in the WNBA in 2023, Charles turned back the clock last season and served as the stabilizing force for an Atlanta Dream team that desperately needed a level of consistency. With averages of 14.9 points and 9.6 rebounds, Charles proved that she can still be a force on the interior.

9. Tiffany Hayes (UFA)

Age: 35

2024 per-game averages: 9.5 points (55.8 percent on 2s, 40.2 percent on 3s), 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists

Hayes announced her retirement after her 2023 campaign with the Sun, only for the Aces to persuade her to change her mind. It turned out to be a fruitful decision for both sides, with Hayes becoming a key piece and winning this year's Sixth Player of the Year award to boot. She remains an electric downhill threat, an underrated playmaker, sneaky-good offensive rebounder, and annoying to deal with defensively. She'll likely return to the Aces if she commits to another WNBA season, but other contenders should come calling anyway.

8. Chennedy Carter (RFA)

Age: 25

2024 per-game averages: 17.5 points (50 percent on 2s, 29 percent on 3s), 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals

Carter was one of the WNBA's best stories -- and dynamic players -- this past season. She found comfort on and off the floor with the Chicago Sky, and under the leadership of former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon. She performed at an All-Star level, living in the paint and scoring efficiently despite a difficult context to operate in. She'll likely remain a member of the Sky as they have matching rights on any offer Carter receives, but man would I consider throwing a hefty offer sheet her way if I were another team.

7. Gabby Williams (UFA)

Age: 28

2024 per-game averages: 10.3 points (54.8 percent on 2s, 32.3 percent on 3s), 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals

Williams made her return to the Seattle Storm after Olympic play, providing her usual blend of driving, playmaking, and stellar on-ball defense. Provided she wants to play in the WNBA again next season, her skill set should intrigue any team looking to bolster their wing room.

6. DiJonai Carrington (RFA)

Age: 26

2024 per-game averages: 12.7 points (45.2 percent on 2s, 25 percent on 3s), 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals

If Williams is second in terms of wing defense, Carrington holds the top spot. An All-Defensive first team member and this year's Most Improved award winner, Carrington has made her mark as an elite perimeter defender who can get to the rim at a high level on the other end. She's good enough and young enough (only 26) to fit any team's timeline. The Sun can match any offer she receives, but it's still worth tossing a bag her way in an attempt to pry her out of there.

No. 5: Brittney Griner, UFA

Last Team: Phoenix Mercury

Age: 34

2024 per-game averages: 17.8 points (58.3 percent on 2s, 9-of-18 on 3s), 6.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 blocks

Brittney Griner missed time at the beginning of last season, but it didn't take long for her to find her footing within the Mercury's new-ish offense.

She once again proved to be a dominant low post option. Per Second Spectrum, she led the W in post-ups, only three players (min. 75 post-ups) saw a higher rate of double-teams (17.7 percent) on those touches, and the Mercury generated nearly 1.05 points per possession on trips featuring a Griner post-up.

The blend of scoring efficiency and passing chops allowed the Mercury to run a good bit of their offense through Griner when they wanted to. Her off-ball screening continued to be impactful, especially when paired with Taurasi in action.

The 6'9", 205-pound Griner's defense has understandably fallen; she worked both in a deep drop and closer to the level of screens defending on matchups, but teams were able to generate good looks when engaging Griner. The rebounding isn't quite what you'd expect from someone her size, but she does command a level of box-out attention that opens windows for others to swoop in.

Griner likely isn't going anywhere, especially if Taurasi returns for one more season. Griner is synonymous with Mercury basketball. In the event that Taurasi does retire, I wonder if a contender tries to convince Griner to serve as their missing piece acquisition. If you're the Lynx or Aces for example, it's probably worth sending a text at least, right?

No. 4: Natasha Howard, UFA

Last Team: Dallas Wings

Age: 33

2024 per-game averages: 17.6 points (49.6 percent on 2s, 20 percent on 3s), 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.8 blocks

Natasha Howard let it be known immediately after the Wings' season ended that she would be playing elsewhere. Considering how much (more) change could be coming to the Wings this offseason, it's hard to blame Howard for wanting a fresh start.

The versatile veteran is a 4 who can do a little bit of everything offensively. Howard is willing to roll or pop when operating in ball screens, and the screening itself is impactful. She's comfortable and aggressive enough on the block to where stashing or switching smaller players on her is a shaky bet for opponents. Howard can step out and knock down triples on hot nights, but opponents often (and fairly) dare her to take those shots to muck up spacing elsewhere.

Howard's defense feels like one of the swing factors of this free-agency class. At her best, she's someone who can operate in multiple coverages, win on switches and unlock smaller units because of her ability to hold things down at the 5. She's a former Defensive Player of the Year winner for a reason.

Frankly, we didn't see enough of her best last season. Some of that was her own return-from-injury maintenance, but there were far too many "meh" effort possessions in Howard's film. The Wings nearly posted the worst defensive rating in league history last season, and they were nearly seven points better with Howard on the bench.

I trust that Howard will ramp things back up in a new situation, making her one of the more appealing and attainable targets in this year's class.

No. 3: DeWanna Bonner, UFA

Last Team: Connecticut Sun

Age: 37

2024 per-game averages: 15.0 points (48.9 percent on 2s, 29.4 percent on 3s), 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.7 blocks

DeWanna Bonner just keeps impacting games at a high level, man.

It wasn't the best shooting season of her career, not by a long shot, but she still had a knack for knocking down big ones. More importantly, teams still treat her like the ever-present threat that she is. That has opened up her driving game, and buddy, did she deliver last season.

Per Second Spectrum, the Sun generated 1.25 points per possession on any trip featuring a Bonner drive, edging out A'ja Wilson (1.16) for the highest mark in the league among 51 players to log at least 100 drives last season.

On the other end, Bonner put together an All-Defensive-caliber season. She oscillated between backcourt and frontcourt assignments depending on the matchup, proof of her versatility. Her length and anticipation on the weak side of actions helped make the Sun's aggressive defense pop.

Bonner will likely return to the Sun, but any team looking for an upgrade at the 3 or 4 should at least attempt to pry Bonner away.

No. 2: Bri Jones, UFA

Last Team: Connecticut Sun

Age: 28

2024 per-game averages: 13.7 points (55.3 percent on 2s, 2-of-14 on 3s), 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals

Last season was about returning to form for Bri Jones, following an Achilles injury that cut her 2023 campaign short. That she was to earn an All-Star berth while finding her footing speaks to the kind of talent she is.

Jones is an imposing force on the interior, able to move players with relative ease on the block. Her ability to seal (and seal deeply) often turned questionable offensive possessions into fruitful scoring opportunities and trips to the free-throw line. There was an extra layer of value added on the offensive glass because of her ability to establish positioning.

Jones ended the regular season strong, averaging 17.2 points on nearly 63 percent shooting from the floor in September (nine games) before a disappointing postseason showing. The Sun, or any team that tries to acquire her, must be confident that her postseason run—a paltry 9.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in 19.8 minutes as the Sun closed games with smaller lineups—was an aberration more than a sign of things to come.

No. 1: Nneka Ogwumike, UFA

Last Team: Seattle Storm

Age: 34

2024 per-game averages: 16.7 points (53 percent on 2s, 40.5 percent on 3s), 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.9 steals

The Storm should be considered front-runners to retain the 2016 MVP, though it's worth noting Nneka Ogwumike is ineligible for the core designation. If an enticing-enough situation presents itself, there's nothing the Storm could do to prevent Ogwumike from leaving.

As for the on-court case for Ogwumike at No. 1, it's an easy one to make: She remains a two-way superstar.

Ogwumike is able to scale up or down as a scorer, depending on roster context. She was one of the most prolific post threats in the league last season; per Second Spectrum, trips featuring an Ogwumike post touch generated nearly 1.1 points per possession. Though the volume wasn't high, she did drill over 40 percent of her threes—and only 19 percent of those attempts came from the corners. Add in her versatility as a screening partner, and you have one of the most complete offensive weapons in the league.

Defensively, Ogwumike earned second-team All-Defensive honors last season due to her activity. The Storm blitzed ball screens at the highest rate in the league, per Second Spectrum, and Ogwumike thrived in that role. Her timing and quick hands made life incredibly difficult for ball-handlers trying to slip past her.