Heather Burns, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports Thu, November 5, 2026 at 5:27 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Golden State Valkyries have celebrated their first WNBA championship, complete with a massive parade down the streets of San Francisco , and now it's time to think about the offseason.
Teams are likely already looking at roster needs and how to fit desired players under the salary cap. They have plenty of time to plan, as WNBA free agency doesn't begin with qualifying offers until Jan. 30. The negotiation window then opens Feb. 4 and players can start signing deals on Feb. 16.
The biggest free agents on the board are Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier , Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell and Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young . All have played only for the team that initially selected them in the draft.
Young has played eight seasons with the Aces since being picked No. 1 overall in 2019. Collier was the No. 6 pick in the same draft out of UConn. Mitchell, who just had the best season of her career by averaging 24.7 points per game, was selected No. 1 overall in 2018 out of Ohio State. A 2026 first-team All-WNBA pick, she was candid about taking a hard look at the market this offseason.
"I've never been in another uniform; I've never had to talk, even discuss, another organization, so it's a lot to hash out," Mitchell said during Fever exit interviews. "I just think I got to be selfish about where my career is going a little bit in terms of some of the things, as I get older, what's important for me. Whether it be winning, whether it be my own individual success, I worked my tail off to be here, though. So, whatever I do, it's going to come from a selfish standpoint. I'll be honest about that."
The Golden State Valkyries took their championship celebration to the streets of San Francisco. See the best photos from the WNBA title parade. The Golden State Valkyries host a 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (center) holds the WNBA championship trophy while standing on stage with teammates during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Head Coach of the Golden State Valkyries Natalie Nakase walks onto stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) A Golden State Valkyries fan holds up a sign during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries interacts with fans during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) The Golden State Valkyries mascot Violet signs autographs during a 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Kiah Stokes of the Golden State Valkyries walks onto stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Fans chant "GSV" during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Tiffany Hayes of the Golden State Valkyries holds up the WNBA Championship tropheyduring the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries walks onto stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams is introduced during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Kiah Stokes of the Golden State Valkyries speaks on stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship celebration at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) The WNBA championship trophy sits on a pedestal in front of the stage during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (left) stands on the stage with guard Veronica Burton (center) and guard Tiffany Hayes (right) during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton carries the WNBA championship trophy during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (right) hugs Oakland mayor Barbara Lee (left) during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams waves to fans while carrying the WNBA finals MVP trophy during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase speaks during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) A Golden State Valkyries fan cheers before the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Golden State Valkyries players stand on the stage with the WNBA championship trophy during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade The Golden State Valkyries took their championship celebration to the streets of San Francisco. See the best photos from the WNBA title parade. The Golden State Valkyries host a 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 1 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade The Golden State Valkyries took their championship celebration to the streets of San Francisco. See the best photos from the WNBA title parade. The Golden State Valkyries host a 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 2 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (center) holds the WNBA championship trophy while standing on stage with teammates during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Head Coach of the Golden State Valkyries Natalie Nakase walks onto stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 4 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade A Golden State Valkyries fan holds up a sign during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 5 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries interacts with fans during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 6 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade The Golden State Valkyries mascot Violet signs autographs during a 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 7 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Kiah Stokes of the Golden State Valkyries walks onto stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 8 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Fans chant "GSV" during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 9 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Tiffany Hayes of the Golden State Valkyries holds up the WNBA Championship tropheyduring the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 10 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Veronica Burton of the Golden State Valkyries walks onto stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship Tip-Off Ceremony at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 11 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams is introduced during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 12 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Kiah Stokes of the Golden State Valkyries speaks on stage during the Golden State Valkyries 2026 WNBA Championship celebration at Jack London Square on November 04, 2026 in Oakland, California. The Golden State Valkyries kicked off their WNBA Championship celebration with a private event in Oakland followed by a championship parade down the Embarcadero in San Francisco. The Valkyries defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first Game 7 in WNBA Finals history. (Heather Diehl, Getty Images) 13 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade The WNBA championship trophy sits on a pedestal in front of the stage during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 14 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries center Kiah Stokes (left) stands on the stage with guard Veronica Burton (center) and guard Tiffany Hayes (right) during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton carries the WNBA championship trophy during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 16 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams (right) hugs Oakland mayor Barbara Lee (left) during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 17 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams waves to fans while carrying the WNBA finals MVP trophy during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 18 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase speaks during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 19 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade A Golden State Valkyries fan cheers before the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 20 / 20 Valkyries turn San Francisco violet for first WNBA championship parade Golden State Valkyries players stand on the stage with the WNBA championship trophy during the Golden State Valkyries championship parade tip-off ceremony at Jack London Square. (Darren Yamashita, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Other notable free agents include Brittney Griner, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, Sophie Cunningham , who was the Fever's top bench scorer, and Sydney Taylor , who made the WNBA All-Rookie team after going undrafted and playing for the Chicago Sky .
Here's everything you need to know about free agency and full list of players who are available:
November 15: WNBA draft lottery 2027 (7:30 pm ET, ESPN)
January 30 – February 3, 2027: Qualifying offers sent out (to designate core players, restricted free agents, or reserved players).
February 4, 2027: Free agency negotiation period begins (teams and players can begin speaking).
February 16, 2027: Official contract signings may commence.
(In order of largest contract from 2026, highest to lowest)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA free agency: Mitchell, Collier, Young among top 2027 free agents
Source: Sports
