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.