The WNBA CBA confirmation news brought smiles all over the world. Fans and players were eager to get a ‘go-ahead’ for the season, while the league and franchises were also ready to host another successful season following back-to-back breakout seasons. 2025 Rookie of the Year Winner Paige Bueckers also spoke about the importance of having the season on time for the fans.
Coming off the national championship run with the UConn Huskies, Bueckers set 10 records that immediately transformed her into a superpower in the WNBA. And now with the new CBA, she is set for another big reward for her gameplay.
Paige Bueckers Set For Another Massive Upgrade
Cathy Engelbert announced that the new CBA will be historic, and given the terms in the agreement, everyone will be happy, including the rookies. The new CBA allows rookies with first or second All-WNBA team selection to be eligible for the supermax contract.
In the 2025 rookie’s case, she not only won the Rookie of the Year accolade, but was on the All-WNBA Second Team at the end of the season. The rule is applicable for the player playing in their final year of a rookie contract, which means the Wings’ superstar will be eligible for a max salary in 2028.
Under the WNBA's new CBA, Paige Bueckers will be eligible for a max salary in 2028 after earning All-WNBA Second-Team honors in her rookie season.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) March 21, 2026
Players who earn a standard max contract will account for 17.5% of the salary cap.
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It’s important to note that a standard max contract will account for 17.5% of the salary cap and values around $1.5 million in 2028. Knowing this, the Wings will be planning to hand out the supermax contract in the upcoming free agency and sign a top player accordingly.
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While her performance at the league level had been sensational, the Minnesota-born star also played her part in a star-studded USA team, showing off her impact on both ends of the floor.
Paige Bueckers Opened Up On Her Role With Team USA
The player’s journey from the champion UConn side to struggling Dallas Wings and then from the Unrivaled expansion team Breeze BC to the most dominant Team USA within a year had been a story within itself. But the player delivered at every level and had been a key factor in every team’s success.
Recently being a part of the FIBA World Cup qualifying team, PB said, “I’m just trying to do whatever it takes to win on any given night. It might be different. It might be scoring one night, defending one night, assisting one night, being a playmaker—but sort of pull it all into one and just be able to play with any different lineup and do whatever it takes in that lineup and in that possession.”
Paige Bueckers leads Team USA in scoring the in win vs. Puerto Rico 🔥 pic.twitter.com/TmDhcazvgK
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 13, 2026
Now back to the WNBA, the 23-year-old star will be looking for stronger support this term and a challenge for the championship.