Key storylines for WNBA offseason as CBA deadline approaches

The WNBA is set to have an interesting offseason. First things first, the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) needs to be sorted out.

WNBA players chose not to participate in the agreement over a year ago. This provided ample time for negotiations. The deal runs out on Friday, Oct. 31, unless it is extended, which was necessary to finalize the current CBA. Additionally, Toronto and Portland are set to join the WNBA as new teams. Eventually, there will be an expansion draft. 

Here are the main storylines for the WNBA offseason, assuming it begins on schedule. 

Lockout, agreement, or extension? 

Perhaps Friday's deadline can help move negotiations forward. However, it seems the players and the league are far apart in negotiations, so a lockout is the most likely outcome. 

If there is some movement between the two sides before then, there could be a 60-day extension to continue talks, which would be the best-case scenario for the WNBA and its players.

Free-agent frenzy could be the Wild West 

Once an agreement is reached and some parameters are set with a new CBA, it will likely trigger a free-agent frenzy.

Most veteran players in the WNBA are unrestricted free agents. The list includes names like A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Kelsey Mitchell, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas and almost every big-name player except Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers. 

It's hard to imagine players like Wilson leaving the Las Vegas Aces or Collier departing the Minnesota Lynx. Still, Ionescu hinted that leaving New York was a possibility after an earlier-than-expected playoff exit. 

The New York Liberty has a new head coach. Yet, if Ionescu re-signs with the franchise that drafted her, it's easy to see the Liberty reloading for another title run.

Minnesota, fresh off a WNBA Finals loss in 2024, posted the best record in the league before struggling in the playoffs following an injury to Collier. She will be re-signed, but some of the pieces around her might need to change.

Building around Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark

The Indiana Fever face some tough choices. 

The DeWanna Bonner signing was a mistake, as she requested to leave the team and signed with her former team, the Mercury. 

Natasha Howard played well, and even without Clark, the Fever took Las Vegas to Game 5 in the WNBA semifinals. Clark and Aliyah Boston are each under contract. Lexie Hull is a restricted free agent, so that's a strong starting point. Retaining Mitchell will be a priority, but after her outstanding season, it's difficult to picture her playing for any other team. 

If Clark had been healthy last season, Indiana might have been good enough to win it all. The focus now should be on keeping the team together. 

Dallas might be the more intriguing team. Bueckers is a superstar. If the Wings play their cards right, there's no reason they can't make a similar jump as Indiana did in 2025.

The Fever's record wasn't as good without Clark. Still, when at full strength, they were formidable, so some tweaks might be needed, but no major changes. 

Arike Ogunbowale has been the face of the Dallas franchise. Now it's Bueckers' turn. Choosing to keep Ogunbowale is Dallas's first big decision in an offseason full of them, as the Wings try to replicate what Indiana has built around Clark.