WNBA free agency tracker: Breanna Stewart to Liberty, Candace Parker to Aces & every major signing

Well, the 2023 WNBA free agency period has certainly started off with a bang.

As the offseason approaches, I’ve highlighted 10 players who could change the landscape of the WNBA by deciding to move to another franchise. Within hours of the official start of free agency, we knew that at least three of the 10 would indeed be moving to a new team.

As the landscape changes, we bring you some of the biggest deals that highlight a busy offseason in the WNBA.

2023 WNBA Free Agency News Breanna Stewart Will Sign With New York Liberty

In arguably the biggest deal in league history, Stewart announced on Twitter that she would be joining the Liberty this season.

🗽 pic.twitter.com/6Sg28YnCPz

— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) February 1, 2023

A two-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and last year’s scoring champion, Stewart is an elite talent who joins a Liberty roster that also includes Sabrina Ionescu and 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones. . Each member of New York’s new trio earned an All-WNBA selection last season — Stewart on the first team and Ionescu and Jones on the second team.

It’s safe to say the signing was signed by Stewart’s new teammates, as well as a well-known New York resident.

OMFGGGGG LET’S GO GOOOOO 🗽🗽🗽

— Sabrina Ionescu (@sabrina_i20) February 1, 2023

Let’s go @breannastewart 😈

— Jonquel Jones (@jus242) February 1, 2023

Stewart joined ESPN’s “NBA Today” to explain his decision, saying, “I decided to go to New York because I want to continue being great. I want to go to the place where I can continue to to help this league improve – to keep raising the bar.

“Why not go to the biggest market of all sports? Stewart continued. “I’m really excited to go after their first championship.”

Candace Parker joins the Las Vegas Aces

Parker, a two-time champion, two-time league MVP and one of the greatest to ever play the game, took to Instagram to announce that she will be joining defending champion Aces.

Parker is just a year away from leading his hometown Sky to a 2021 WNBA title and now joins an Aces team that includes last year’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in A’ja Wilson, as well than a WNBA All-Team first-team guard in Kelsey Prune.

Of his decision, Parker said, “It was bittersweet to leave Chicago, but it was necessary. I’m thrilled to join the Aces.

“I think it’s a great family change, career change. Back with Chelsea Grey, I’m delighted with that. A’ja Wilson – (I’ve) always been a fan of her – and playing with her. I’m ready for the challenge and I’m excited.”

“It was bittersweet to leave Chicago but it was necessary.”@Candace_Parker talks about her decision to join the Aces pic.twitter.com/pGulCovgUU

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 1, 2023

Along with Parker, Plum, Wilson and Jackie Young, the Aces’ starting unit will include four former No. 1 overall picks. And it’s important not to overlook veteran Gray, who was named MVP of the 2022 WNBA Finals and Commissioners Cup.

Courtney Vandersloot leaves Chicago

Vandersloot, a four-time All-Star who spent each of the first 12 seasons of her WNBA career with the Sky, is still one of the game’s top point guards. free agency, with Liberty and Storm each expressing interest, according to Girls Talk Sports TV’s Khristina Williams.

The day before free agency began, Vandersloot took to Twitter to write a “thank you” to Chicago and announce that she would be moving on via free agency.

I love you Chicago. 💙 pic.twitter.com/U4FcMcBSmq

— Courtney Vandersloot (@Sloot22) February 1, 2023 Nneka Ogwumike will stay in Los Angeles

According to Williams, Ogwumike should re-sign with the Sparks.

Ogwumike, the No. 1 overall pick in 2012 and 2016 league MVP, spent his entire WNBA career in Los Angeles. Last season, she was a constant for a team with plenty of ups and downs, averaging 18.1 points and 6.6 rebounds in 34 games.

WNBA Free Agency Tracker 2023 WNBA Free Agency Tracker 2023 Player Pos. Type New Team Old Team Lexie Brown G UFA Sparks Sparks Tina Charles C UFA — Storm Alysha Clark F UFA Aces Mystics Sophie Cunningham G RFA — Mercury Brionna Jones C UFA — Sun Ezi Magbegor F RFA — Storm Emma Meesseman F UFA — Sky Nneka Ogwumike F UFA — Sparks Candace Parker F UFA Aces Sky Azurá Stevens F UFA — Sky Breanna Stewart F UFA Liberty Storm Diana Taurasi F UFA — Mercury Kristi Toliver G UFA Mystics Sparks Courtney Vandersloot G UFA — Sky Courtney Williams G UFA — Soleil