The 2026 WNBA free agency period is officially underway, setting the stage for a transformative offseason as teams build their rosters for the future. The action kicked off with a major splash: the trade of Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. The momentum continued into Tuesday, April 7th, with several franchise cornerstones receiving the coveted "core" designation from their teams.

This core tag is a significant move in WNBA team building. It signals that a player like Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum, or Kelsey Mitchell is considered absolutely essential to her team's identity and championship aspirations. The designation grants the team exclusive negotiating rights, preventing the player from hitting the open market as an unrestricted free agent. While it comes with an automatic one-year supermax offer (valued at $1.4 million), teams and players can negotiate different terms. If an agreement can't be reached, the two sides can collaborate on a sign-and-trade to facilitate a move.

The process now moves into a crucial phase. Starting Wednesday, a three-day negotiation window opens, allowing teams and players to discuss and agree to terms. All these verbal agreements will become official when the signing period opens on Saturday, April 11th, making the next few days critical for shaping the league's landscape.

As the market heats up, we're tracking all the major moves. To understand the caliber of talent in play, it's worth remembering the legendary players who have defined the league's MVP history, from Sheryl Swoopes and Lisa Leslie to more recent stars like Breanna Stewart and Elena Delle Donne. This year's free agency class has the potential to add new chapters to that storied legacy.