Tag: WNBA Free Agency

Seattle Storm sign two powerhouse free agents ahead of 2024 season

The Seattle Storm are out with a vengeance during this WNBA free agency period.

The Seattle Storm are out with a vengeance during this WNBA free-agency period. The Storm have signed nine-year WNBA vet, six-time all-WNBA selection and six-time All-Star Skylar Diggins-Smith, considered one of the most, if not the most, highly coveted free agents. Then, less than a week later, they signed eight-time WNBA All-Star, six-time All-WNBA pick and the 2016 WNBA MVP in Nneka Ogwumike.

“Joining the Seattle Storm is the ideal next step in my basketball journey. The organization’s dedication to its players and the progression of the league is commendable,” said Diggins-Smith. “I’m laser-focused for the upcoming season. Stepping onto the court alongside Jewell, benefiting from the leadership of Noelle Quinn and feeling the energy of the Seattle Storm fans is a combination that I am confident will lead to success.”

Diggins-Smith sat out last season after giving birth to her second child. However, during the 2022 season, she posted career-best numbers in Phoenix.

Ogwumike was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2012 WNBA draft and has spent her 12-year career with them. She is ready for a change and can’t wait to get started in Seattle after posting a career-best season in 2023.

“I’m stepping into this season of change with you, Seattle,” said Ogwumike.  “With my teammates, coaches, staff, organization, ownership, and, most importantly, the fans. Every part of me is grateful and ready for this opportunity to continue to be great and sustain legacy. You can’t calm this Storm.”

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A comprehensive emoji breakdown of Breanna Stewart’s extremely confusing emoji-filled tweets ahead of WNBA Free Agency

What in the world is Stewie talking about here?

Breanna Stewart is one of the best players in the WNBA, without a doubt. She’s a signature shoe athlete for a reason, y’all.

Stewie has only played 6 seasons in the W so far, but she’s already a 4-time All-Star and a two-time WNBA Champion. On top of that, she’s already an MVP and nearly won another one last season if not for the incredible season A’ja Wilson had.

And, now, she’s a free agent.

That’s right. Breanna Stewart — who has been a member of the Seattle Storm for her entire career so far — might actually be on the move. As one of the best players in the WNBA, that’s already going to have the entire league on edge.

It’s the same thing that happens when LeBron James or Kevin Durant becomes a free agent or demands a trade. It freezes up the entire league. No one knows what to do because whatever Stewie chooses to do will flip the league on its head — even with this being arguably the best free agent class the league has ever seen.

So, yeah. Things are a bit tense in the W right now. And Stewart is adding fuel to the fire…with emojis.

Stewart has been dropping tweets filled with emojis over the last few days as we get closer and closer to the start of free agency on January 21st. First, she dropped this tweet on January 16.

Then, she dropped this bad boy three days later on the 19th.

And nobody has any clue what any of it means. But don’t worry. That’s not going to stop us from breaking it down. Let’s dive into it.

It’s time for some…meaningless speculation!

The quirky reason why Breanna Stewart might miss next season in the WNBA, explained

The WNBA’s prioritization rule is getting in the way of one of its best players

Breanna Stewart is one of a few players who most people would consider to be one of the best 3 or 4 players in the WNBA.

It’d be disastrous to have a WNBA season without her — especially when it’s not due to injury. But, with the way things are shaping up right now, it’s looking like that might be a real possibility.

Stewart’s WNBA future is up in the air in more ways than one. First, she’s a free agent this offseason. She signed a one-year, $228,094 deal last year to return to the Seattle Storm for another season. That deal is up and she can go where she pleases now.

But she also might not be playing anywhere in the W because of the WNBA’s “prioritization” rule that’s part of the league’s most recent collective bargaining agreement.

In trying to ensure they’re keeping their best players committed to the league, the W might actually be pushing one of its best out. It’s weird. It’s wonky. But it also might be necessary too. Let’s talk about it.