The 2023 WNBA season tips off on Friday, which means rosters are being finalized this week.
Entering its 27th season, the WNBA still has only 12 teams with just 12 roster spots on each of those squads. Often, that means younger talent gets pushed out.
On Monday, a first-round draft pick from THIS YEAR was waived. On Tuesday, a former All-Rookie selection was waived. On Wednesday, the No. 1 overall pick from 2021 was waived.
Roster squeeze season in the WNBA can be brutal. It’s one of the reasons why many have argued for the league to expand. And if the WNBA isn’t ready to add more teams, it should – at the very least – add roster spots.
The way things are now, these players have nowhere to go when they get cut. There’s not a practice squad and there’s nothing like the NBA’s G-League where players can still progress in their development. The lack of roster spots is a serious problem for the WNBA. It’s why several players who might’ve been first-round picks this year decided to return to college for another season. Because in the WNBA, even if you’re a first rounder, there’s no guarantee you make a roster.
*Draft new players with fans who are ready to support them and the league
*Player gets waived because not enough spots *Fans no longer want to support the league as a whole
Ugh this is stressful 🤦🏾♀️— Rhyne Howard 🤟🏾🈳 (@howard_rhyne) May 17, 2023
Let’s take a closer look at the high-profile players who suddenly became free agents this week.