The 2025 WNBA season has a chance to be pretty special. Virtually every team feels it can be competitive in the coming year and make varying levels of noise in the postseason. That's part of the blessing and curse of a league with fewer teams and roster spots: short-term possibility often outweighs long-term potential in decision-making, something that will be worth tracking as the league continues to expand.

The players opted out of the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement, leading to eventual changes not yet written for 2026 onwards. What's the impact on 2025?

Just two players in the league are signed past the 2025 season. Every other player is either on a rookie-scale contract, in the final year of their deal or is a free agent. Few players, if any, are expected to sign more than a one-year deal during this free-agency period. This opens the door for a ton of movement as teams look to strike with a quick retool before things reset next season.

Trades, while possible, are not as simple or likely as fans want to make them out to be in the W, given the hard salary cap. Also, when every team wants to be competitive and feels it's just one or two tweaks away from a Finals appearance…well, it can get sticky!

What are some splashy moves that could make sense if they actually were put into action?

Valkyries Make Splash with Alyssa Thomas

Sun Get: The rights to Iliana Rupert, 2025 No. 5 pick, 2026 1st-rounder

Valkyries Get: Alyssa Thomas via sign-and-trade

Why Golden State Does It

While the Valkyries could wait for 2026 free agency to make a splash, they could get a head start in 2025 by trading for a cored player. Golden State is in a unique spot as a new franchise with a wealth of roster flexibility and so much unknown. If the team swings for the fences and connects with a key trade early, that could open the door for additional free agents to make their way to the W's 13th franchise.

Alyssa Thomas, 32, has been one of the best players in the game since returning from her Achilles injury in 2022, finishing in the top-five of MVP voting in three straight seasons. She is a system unto herself in some ways, capable of anchoring a defense and opening up an offense as a facilitator and creator.

With high-level facilities, an enticing market and a star via trade, the Valkyries could set themselves up for early success as a franchise.

Why Connecticut Does It

The Sun cored Thomas, and she could well return to play one more season at Mohegan Sun, but a change in scenery feels likely. The Sun could provide an interesting package for her.

Iliana Rupert has long been a quality prospect, having played two seasons in the W with the Aces and Dream, flashing potential as a big who can stretch the floor and score in a variety of ways.

The 23-year-old has taken another leap as a player, fully realizing that potential this season in Euroleague play with CBK Mersin in Turkey, averaging 17.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting the leather off the ball. She's playing with an edge, has grown into how she handles physicality and looks primed to take another step in the WNBA.

Connecticut seems focused on remaining competitive, and while trading a franchise star icon is difficult, adding a young talent in Rupert as well as two first-rounds picks is probably the best value possible—as it's very unlikely to see a sign-and-trade result in anything more than a one-year deal, given the impending CBA change.

Lynx Load Up, Add Ariel Atkins

Washington Mystics Get: Diamond Miller, 2025 No. 11 pick

Minnesota Lynx Get: Ariel Atkins

Why Minnesota Does It

The Lynx were a few minutes away from winning a championship this past season, thriving off a highly connected offense and defense. In all honesty, no trade may be the right trade for Minnesota, but I'm tempted by the idea of adding to this group.

Ariel Atkins is one of the elite defenders in the sport at guard, a five-time All-Defensive honoree. She's a career 36.2 percent shooter from deep on high volume and just a steady and solid two-way player. Atkins has championship experience and success with former Mystics head coach Eric Thibault, now on Cheryl Reeve's coaching staff.

As other teams stock up and retool for the 2025 season, I'll be curious to see how Minnesota approaches its continuity and whether it tinkers with the roster much. Atkins could be a sensational addition for a team capable of running it back to the Finals.

Why Washington Does It

Diamond Miller had an enticing rookie season, showing the potential as a multi-positional defender and wing scorer. An early-season injury unfortunately kept Miller sidelined for much of the year. By the time she returned to play, the Lynx had already found an elite rhythm, and her play didn't seem to quite match up with the way the team took shape.

That should not deter a team from taking on the second pick of 2023, but it could play a part in making it more realistic that the Lynx move on from her in favor of a veteran.

The Mystics seem primed to be the one team that will be focused on rebuilding for the long haul. Miller could be a fantastic addition for a team looking to take its time. As the league continues to shift further into switching, pick-and-roll play, and two-way value, the 23-year-old Miller has the potential to become a highly impactful player as she develops.

Liberty Bring in Gabby Williams

New York Liberty Get: Gabby Williams

Seattle Storm Get: The rights to Han Xu, Marquesha Davis, 2025 No. 7 pick

Why New York Does It

The Liberty are looking to repeat as WNBA champions, and Gabby Williams' versatility and athleticism fit in line with what the Liberty prioritize in roster building.

The 28-year-old is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, capable of guarding point guard on up to defending a center in a pinch during a possession. She's a good-decision-maker, thrives in the open court and can create with the ball in her hands.

New York was reportedly in play to sign Williams last season before she chose Seattle after the Olympics. Perhaps the changes in the Pacific Northwest could include Williams moving to a new spot as the Storm reshape their roster.

Why Seattle Does It

Han Xu is one of the most intriguing talents in the world, a highly skilled big. Even if she weren't to come over this season, having the potential to negotiate a contract with her further on in the future could be meaningful as she continues to develop and hone her craft. If Seattle were to pivot in 2026, her potential could provide flexibility.

Marquesha Davis didn't see much playing time as a rookie, understandably on a title team, but is a player I'm very high on. She flew under the radar during her senior season at Ole Miss as she made a huge jump in production, and took most by surprise when selected by the Liberty. Her talent and potential is tantalizing.

At 6-feet tall on the wing, Davis has the tools to sit down and defend anyone on the perimeter, but she also has one of the best in-between games I've recently seen in scouting. The release point on her jumper and ability to get it off is pure, and there's a wealth of room for her to grow as a playmaker and efficient scorer. She could factor in as a role player now, and grow into even more in the future.

The seventh pick also gives Seattle a good shot to add a player who could provide impact immediately and grow with this core in the coming years.

Chicago Gives Reese-Cardoso Duo Spacing

Washington Mystics Get: Rachel Banham, 2025 No. 10 pick

Chicago Sky Get: Karlie Samuelson

Why Chicago Does It

The Chicago Sky have a bright, promising future with Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso at the heart of their rebuild. While there are some fair criticisms on efficiency and finishing, common when acclimating to the league, a key factor in that was how cramped this offense was.

Chicago finished dead last in the WNBA in three-point attempts and makes. To add context, the Sky took 14.9 attempts from deep per game, and the Sparks—who finished seventh—took 22.6, right at league average. With a new staff in place, it seems highly likely that we'll see this team prioritize spacing, but where the roster is at is just as indicative of what can happen on the floor.

This move may not sound splashy, but it could be remarkably impactful. The Sky need shooting to supplement and balance the floor, but also need players who can hold their ground on both ends of the floor.

Samuelson has shown an ability to fit into a team scheme and play her role on defense, and she brings added size on the wing. She's also shot 41.2 percent from deep over the past two seasons.

Why Washington Does It

The Mystics already have two picks in the 2025 draft, but taking another shot at youth development seems like a trend in line with what the retooled Monumental Sports organization has shown.

While the Mystics' new front office and staff have yet to speak to the media, indications are that this team will focus on building from the ground up, similar to what the Wizards are doing in the NBA.

Samuelson is a surefire role player who deserves minutes and could also be key in helping to develop the players drafted to D.C. with her ability to balance the floor. However, Banham brings a similar ability as a shooter in a way that would be less likely to impact rookie minutes.