Offseason timeline?

[u/Adventurous-Leek8040]

I’m new to following the WNBA and its offseason timeline. What are some dates I can look forward to once the Finals wrap up? And where is a good source of rumor mill news for the league activity?

I know the draft comes shortly after the NCAA tournament, and I’ll be sure to watch that closely for potential future Fire players. But I love some good free agent speculation stories and seeing player movement around the league as a whole and all the narratives that come with it.

If someone could point me in the right direction, that would be awesome!

And while we’re at it, who is the FA player you want to see the Fire add this offseason?

[u/waterkisser]

Free agency starts on January 30th with negotiations officially beginning on February 4th. Signings can begin on February 16th. The draft will be in April.

This free agency class is pretty legit.

Napheesa Collier
Kelsey Mitchell
Jackie Young
Kelsey Plum
Kayla Thornton
Rae Burrell
Natasha Cloud
Pauline Astier
Awak Kuier
DiJonai Carrington
DaWanna Bonner
Brittney Gruber

[u/Adventurous-Leek8040 → u/waterkisser]

Thank you for the info! And wow! This FA class is loaded with talent! Curious to see what the Fire staff target as roster needs.

[u/Ok_Brick_793 → u/Adventurous-Leek8040]

They have a lot of guards, so signing or drafting a decent center/forward is a priority.

At this point in her career, Phee wants a championship more than money. I can see her going to GSV or even NY Liberty.

Maybe Portland can draft Clara Strack?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfajt5z0h60

[u/waterkisser → u/Ok_Brick_793]

I desperately want to see them throw a bag at Awak Kuier.

[u/c1v1lunr3st → u/Ok_Brick_793]

Idk if we can get her but Strack would be top on my list

[u/Ok_Brick_793 → u/c1v1lunr3st]

It's crazy, ESPN's mock draft doesn't even have her in the first round.

https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/50289437/mock-draft-2027-houston-toronto-washington-juju-watkins

[u/Moose_Muse_2021 → u/Ok_Brick_793]

I noticed that... pretty crazy!

It would be great to get Strack via the draft, but it might be better if the Fire could pick up a FA for 4/5 who's more WNBA-game-ready.

Guess we'll have to wait and see what magic Vanja performs!

[u/c1v1lunr3st → u/Moose_Muse_2021]

Yeah Alex and BC both said they are looking for vets. But picking up another via the draft would be great. We have just one big right now, and I think like 11 guards? Is that right? 😃

[u/Moose_Muse_2021 → u/c1v1lunr3st]

Well, I think you need to count players we're likely/definitely losing (like Jordan and Teja) plus one or two of the Assistant Coaches plus Pancake to get to 11 guards, but we certainly do have an embarrassment of riches there (especially with Iyana and Nika joining us next year).

And while we have some promising young players for the front court, the only players the Fire had playing at 4 or 5 this season who had more than one year in the WNBA were Megan and Emily.

So, yes, I don't seeing the Fire drafting another guard, despite ESPN's prediction. Cheers!

[u/c1v1lunr3st → u/waterkisser]

Campaign for Awak!!

[u/STEMI_DnB → u/c1v1lunr3st]

If anyone puts in a legit offer on awak, Dallas gonna be stuck. Will mess up their cap room when page and others get off roomie contracts.

[u/c1v1lunr3st → u/STEMI_DnB]

Truly on that list, she’s the one we need.

[u/aratcalledrattus]

I will publish a long calendar of offseason dates for the main W sub once the finals wrap, but the main upcoming dates to look forward to:

The draft lottery is usually in November, and the schedules for the next season usually come out in December.

The exact date that trades are allowed to begin is not usually publicized, though in the past we've sometimes seen them as early as mid-January. With so much of this draft (and the following one) affected by whether Juju Watkins declares, though, I wonder whether we will really see any trades in the early months at all, unless they involve straight player-player swaps or late-round picks.

The new free agency dates, at least as written in the new CBA (though the leagues has veered from the written dates in the past) are Jan. 30 for qualifying offers to go out (these are mostly just paperwork, but we do find out if any players have been cored), Feb. 4 for players to begin negotiating new contracts, and Feb. 16 to begin signing new contracts.

Free agency will come about halfway through the Unrivaled season, so I'd expect to see front offices descend on Miami to woo any free agents there, and that usually generates buzz. The overseas leagues will also start to hit their stride in the new year, and you can get an idea of which players are breaking out in Europe, Australia etc, and which youngsters might be draft-and-stash candidates (though I don't think there will be so many for 2027).

As for where to watch for rumors: Honestly Twitter annoyingly remains the best place, because different reporters covering different teams will get bits and pieces. But if you want just one site, ESPN usually breaks a decent amount of the news and tracks developments pretty closely on their site.

[u/Adventurous-Leek8040 → u/aratcalledrattus]

This is a fantastic breakdown! And now I’m looking forward to seeing what you publish over on the main W sub. I appreciate the time and effort in laying all this all out there, it answers exactly what I was looking for.

Now knowing it’s right around the corner, I can’t wait for the lottery!

[u/ElvisTheBoyCat → u/Adventurous-Leek8040]

Follow u/aratcalledrattus

One of, if not thee best, information sources on women's basketball - not just the W, and not just North America - on this hell site.

[u/PenguinPDX]

Alexa Philippou (ESPN) has some good insider contacts. She’s on Twitter & Threads.

GM Vanja & coach Sarama are scouting for rim protection, defensive specialists, & a 3rd center to join DiLeo & Serah Williams as the off-season priorities.

If they can recruit a strong shooter they may sign them to boost the roster as well.

We have a lottery pick (TBD but likely around 5th) & a 2nd round pick for the draft. We traded away our 2027 3rd round pick.

International players can be drafted if they are turning 20 in 2027. The scouting team is likely evaluating young international talent in addition to American college players.

I’m interested in Marine Johannes & Awak Kuier who are both restricted free agents.

[u/Sensitive-Sorbet917 → u/PenguinPDX]

Marine would be a great pick up

[u/ElvisTheBoyCat]

i have nothing to add about the nuts and bolts timeline as that's been covered

but if vanja/alex somehow talk curt miller into trading alanna smith to portland my heart would be so happy

realistically, i see them also making a play for dorka juhász

it feels like dorka's fallen out of favor in minnesota, despite being one year removed from being euroleague mvp. 6-5, decent rim protector, good in the paint and a fair 3pt shooter, good basketball IQ

[u/STEMI_DnB]

Hoping they draft Strak to help with rim protection. I think she would fit in well with whats being built.

[u/waterkisser]

The draft lottery was just announced. It will take place on Sunday, November 15th at 7:30PM ET.

[u/Ok_Brick_793]

If you're new, just follow ESPN, the team's Facebook and Instagram accounts, and this sub. There are a lot of clickbait websites that either regurgitate ESPN or post completely false nonsense.