WNBA Trade Deadline 2026: 5 Players Who Could Switch Teams Before Sunday

By Michael Voepel | July 30, 2026

The WNBA trade deadline is coming up fast—Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. Teams are busy deciding whether to make moves to boost their playoff chances or build for the future. It’s like a high-stakes game of chess where every piece matters.

Important Note: A lot of players are on one-year contracts this season because of a new agreement reached in March. This makes trades trickier—teams have to think about whether a player will stick around after this year. Also, future draft picks are valuable currency, so teams weigh those carefully.

The 5 Players to Watch

Here are five players who might be wearing new jerseys very soon.

1. Kelsey Plum — Los Angeles Sparks

Why she might move:

• Two-time WNBA champion with the Las Vegas Aces (2022, 2023)
• Traded to the Sparks in February 2025
• Was having a fantastic season: 23.9 points and 6.4 assists per game through 12 games
• But: Hasn’t played since June 21 due to a lower left leg injury
• Sparks are 10-17 and may miss playoffs for the 6th straight year
• New front office (GM Raegan Pebley let go July 12) might focus on the future
• Turns 32 in late August; on a one-year deal worth $999,999

What a trade partner needs to know:

1. Is she healthy?
2. Will she sign a multi-year deal after this season?

Where she could land:

Catch: Both teams might like their current core and wait to pursue Plum in 2027 free agency instead.

2. Aneesah Morrow — Connecticut Sun

Why she might move:

• Drafted 7th overall in 2025 (DePaul → LSU in college)
• College double-double machine
• In WNBA: Better rebounder than scorer so far, but improving
• This season: 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 40.7% FG (up from 37.5%)
• Still only 23 years old with upside
• Sun are moving to Houston next season—this is their last chapter in Connecticut

Where she could fit:

Health check: Morrow has missed 9 games this season. Teams will want to know she’s fully healthy.
Bonus: Her teammate Aaliyah Edwards (24, 2024 6th pick, 9.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG) could also draw interest.

3. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton — New York Liberty

Why she might move:

• Key part of Liberty’s 2023 & 2024 Finals runs
• Missed all of last season with knee injury
• This year: Only 17 of 28 games, 4.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 16.8 minutes (down from 30 MPG)
• Hasn’t played since July 12 (not on injury list)
• Age 32, on a $400K protected veteran contract, then unrestricted free agent
• Liberty (16-12) may want younger legs

Where she could help:

• Dallas Wings — Good defense, could use veteran savvy
• Toronto Tempo or Connecticut Sun — Both might value her versatility and defense
• But: Only happens if Liberty actually wants to deal her

Remember: Until this year, she averaged double-digit scoring every season in NY and is a top-tier defender. Her role has just vanished.

4. Maddy Siegrist — Dallas Wings

Why she might move:

• College superstar at Villanova: 24.3 PPG career average
• Last year (26 games): 12.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG — her best pro season
• This year: Only 14 MPG (half of last year), 6.3 PPG
• Bright spot: Shooting 44.9% from 3-point range (22-of-49)
• Age 26, final year of rookie contract → restricted free agent after

Where she could thrive:

• Toronto Tempo or Phoenix Mercury — Both could give her a consistent role
• Needs a team that will play her regularly like last season
• Scored in double figures in Dallas’ last two pre-All-Star games, then DNP vs. Atlanta

Hard to value: Dallas’ usage makes her trade price unclear.

5. Skylar Diggins-Smith — Chicago Sky

Why she might move:

• Sky are 9-18, likely 3rd straight year missing playoffs
• Diggins-Smith (1st season in Chicago) seems unhappy with role/team direction
• On protected veteran deal: $940K this year and next
• Out since July 3 (knee); had 19 PTS in last game vs. Aces
• Season averages: 14.2 PPG, 4.9 APG, 3.2 RPG

Her track record (Seattle, 2024-25):

• 2024: 15.1 PPG, 6.4 APG
• 2025: 15.5 PPG, 6.0 APG
• Career: 16.3 PPG, 5.3 APG (double-digit scoring every year except rookie season)
• Turns 36 on Sunday — the trade deadline day!

Big questions for suitors:

1. Will another team take on her contract (thru 2027) at age 36?
2. Can she accept a non-contender this year?
3. Does a playoff team want to add her now?

Key Things to Understand (ELI5 Style)

Callout: Trade Deadline Basics**

• Trade deadline: Last day teams can swap players. After this, rosters are locked for the season.
• One-year deal: Player becomes a free agent after season—can sign anywhere. Risky for trading teams.
• Protected veteran contract: Special deal for vets; counts less against salary cap but guarantees pay.
• Rookie contract: First contract after being drafted. Usually 3-4 years. Team controls rights.
• Restricted free agent: Team can match any offer from another team.
• Unrestricted free agent: Can sign with any team, no restrictions.
• Draft capital: Future draft picks. Like "IOUs" for young talent.

Summary: What to Watch This Weekend

1. Health is everything — Plum, Morrow, Diggins-Smith all dealing with injuries
2. Contract status matters — One-year deals = rental risk; multi-year = asset
3. Team timelines differ — Contenders (Valkyries) want now help; rebuilders (Tempo, Mercury) want future pieces
4. Age vs. upside — Young players (Morrow, Siegrist) = potential; vets (Plum, Laney-Hamilton, Diggins) = proven production
5. The clock is ticking — Deadline: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET

FAQ: Your Trade Deadline Questions Answered

Q1: What happens if a player isn’t traded by the deadline?
They stay with their current team for the rest of the season. After that, their contract situation (free agency, team options) determines what’s next.

Q2: Why do teams trade draft picks instead of players?
Draft picks are like lottery tickets for future stars. A rebuilding team might prefer a high draft pick over a good-but-not-great player who leaves in a year.

Q3: What’s a "protected veteran contract"?
It’s a special salary cap rule for players with 10+ years experience. Their cap hit is lower than their actual salary, making them easier to trade or keep.

Q4: Can a player say "no" to a trade?
Only if they have a no-trade clause in their contract (rare in WNBA) or if they’re on a one-year deal and would lose Bird rights (re-signing advantages) by moving. Most players can be traded anytime.

Q5: Why does the WNBA have a trade deadline at all?
To keep competitive balance. Without it, contenders could just buy all the best players late in the season, making games unfair and predictable.

Stay tuned—Sunday at 3 p.m. ET could shake up the playoff picture!