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As the calendar turns to 2023, it’s time to start thinking about WNBA free agency. Later this month, players and teams can begin to negotiate contracts, which can be officially signed starting on Feb. 1.
Although this year’s class of free agents isn’t quite as top-heavy as last year’s, which featured the two most recent MVPs (Jonquel Jones and A’ja Wilson), it’s a star-studded group with six members of the WNBA25 list of the top 25 players in league history.
In particular, forward Breanna Stewart stands out as a former MVP in her prime who will likely be an unrestricted free agent for the second consecutive year. With teammate Sue Bird retired, could Stewart leave the Seattle Storm this time around?
Predictably, Stewart tops my projections for 2023 in terms of wins above replacement player (WARP), my player value metric based on player performance over the past three seasons and age.
Who else rounds out the top 15 WNBA players available in free agency this offseason? Let’s take a look.
(Note: Players are unrestricted free agents unless otherwise noted. Free agent classifications courtesy HerHoopStats.com.)
1. Breanna Stewart
Seattle Storm
Forward
Age as of Feb. 1: 28
Projected WARP: 5.7
After taking a meeting with the New York Liberty last offseason before returning to the Storm on a one-year deal, Stewart returns to free agency. Because the Storm used the core designation on teammate Jewell Loyd and re-signed her to a two-year deal last offseason, they don’t have it available to use on Stewart as long as Loyd remains on the roster. So Stewart will likely be unrestricted coming off a season in which she led the WNBA in scoring for the first time at 21.8 PPG and finished runner-up in MVP voting for the second time in three years.
Connecticut Sun
Center
Age as of Feb. 1: 27
Projected WARP: 3.5
As a two-time All-Star, Jones doesn’t yet have the résumé of some of the more experienced free agents in this class. At 27, however, she’s in the midst of her prime and could…
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