The 2022 WNBA season was one for the ages. We saw the largest comeback in WNBA history, dunks in the all-star game and watched the Las Vegas Aces hoist their first WNBA championship. All while fighting to bring Brittney Griner home from her wrongful imprisonment in Russia.
As the WNBA prepares to push forward to the 2023 season, some top players in the league could be on the move. Here are some of the 2023 WNBA free agency bold predictions.
Breanna Stewart
Breanna Stewart, or Stewie, whichever you prefer to call her, has been in Seattle since being drafted in 2016. The 2x MVP and 2x champion is arguably the best player in the league. She will hit the free agency market in the upcoming weeks with no handcuffs, as Seattle elicited to core Jewell Loyd in 2022 for two years under the league’s core destination.
According to the WNBA CBA, no team can core two players and can only core another player once the core contract has expired.
Seattle will look to replace their leader Sue Bird, who retired after 20 seasons in the WNBA. Stewart, who stated she returned for that reason, could move on.
Bold Prediction: Breanna Stewart goes to New York
Stewart, who’s from New York, could take a page out of Candace Parker‘s book and return home. It was reported that Stewart took a free agency meeting with New York but returned to Seattle to play with Bird in her last season. Seattle could likely go into rebuild mode after Bird’s retirement. If Stewart chooses not to stick around for it, New York would be the perfect fit.
If Stewart goes to New York, it would see her team up with rising star Sabrina Ionescu, former teammate Natasha Howard and Betnijah Laney. New York, who has made the playoffs for the last two seasons, could be put into championship contention with Stewart.
Candace Parker
At 36, Candace Parker exhibited no signs of old age or slowing down in the 2022 season. The 2x MVP and 2x champion demonstrated why she’s considered one of the greatest of all time. Parker became the only player to accumulate 6,000 points, 3,000 rebounds and 1,015 assists. Parker, who joined the Chicago Sky in 2021 after a 13-year tenure in Los Angeles, will again see herself hit the free agent market.
Bold Prediction: Candace Parker goes to the Las Vegas Aces
In what could be her final year in the WNBA, Parker could end up in Sin City. With the uncertainty of Los Angeles and Chicago’s rosters, Parker could seek another team. Why not the defending champions? Las Vegas will probably be without Dearica Hamby for some time, as she’s set to give birth to her second child. Parker could fill that void; pairing her with a young star like A’ja Wilson could be a lethal frontcourt. It would also reunite Parker with close friend Chelsea Gray, who Parker won a championship in 2016 in LA. If Parker ends up in Vegas, we could see the first back-to-back champions since 2002.
Nneka Ogwumike
Nneka became the leader of the Sparks franchise when Parker took her talents to the Windy City in 2021. Los Angeles is a place that prides themselves in winning traditions and with them missing the playoffs two years in a row, saw the Sparks front office produce some moves. They started by hiring Curt Miller to become their head coach. Miller spent the last eight seasons with the Connecticut Sun with two Final appearances under his belt. Los Angeles will have an abundance of cap space, according to Her Hoop Stats; LA will have about $996,101 in cap space. This will allow them to be aggressive in free agency and chase after big-name free agents. The potential talent could make Nneka Ogwumike stay in purple and gold.
Bold Prediction: Nneka Ogwumike stays in Los Angeles
Nneka has made a home and career in the city of angels. The Sparks are entering a new era under Curt Miller and new general manager Karen Bryant and with Nneka Ogwumike staying in Los Angeles, the Sparks can once again be on top of the WNBA.
Courtney Vandersloot
Courtney Vandersloot has been the Chicago Sky’s franchise point guard since coming into the league in 2011. Next to Bird, Vandersloot is one of the best true point guards to play in the league. Vandersloot was one of the key players in convincing Parker to come to Chicago; now, this time around, it might be Sloot who needs the convincing.
Bold Prediction: Courtney Vandersloot goes to Seattle
Courtney has spent her entire career in Chicago. This will be her chance to play in front of family and friends. Outside of the personal stuff, Sloot would be put into a system that was built around Bird, who, like Sloot is a pass-first guard.
The Chicago Sky roster has a lot of question marks right now. Players like Parker, Azurá Stevens and Allie Quigley are due to hit the free agency market along with Vandersloot. The Sky could lose some of its core talents and if Seattle can somehow convince Stewart to stay, it might be hard for James Wade to keep Vandersloot in SkyTown.
Brionna Jones
Brionna Jones has shown she is a starter in the WNBA. Since coming into the league in 2017 as an eighth overall pick to the Connecticut Sun, Brionna Jones, year by year, has developed her game. So much so that in 2021 Bri Jones was named the WNBA Most Improved Player. Bri Jones’ primary position was to back up 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones. Bri Jones averaged 13.8 ppg in her sixth-player role while adding 5.1 RPG. These stats earned her the 2022 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year Award. Bri Jones will be sought after by every team in the WNBA, but playing time and a starting role will probably be a determining factor.
Bold Prediction: Brionna Jones goes to Los Angeles
In the ultimate move, Curt Miller brings Brionna Jones to the Los Angeles Sparks. Bri Jones would be reunited with Miller while also starting in the Los Angeles frontcourt alongside Nneka Ogwumike. Bri Jones going to Los Angeles would not only prove that the Sparks are being aggressive during free agency, but it will also indicate that they are serious about becoming contenders once again.
Players can’t start negotiations until Jan. 21st and can’t sign contracts until February and I’m confident this free agency period will be a wild ride.
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