After the expansion draft signings, franchises are set to make free-agent signings, which will determine the fate of 123 players in the league. Up till now, Sabrina Ioenscu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones confirmed their destinations in the free agency, which are positive signs for the Liberty team. But Seattle Storm fans might have some bad news coming up ahead of free agency.
The teams will have two days to make qualifying offers to free agents, and the next three days for negotiation. As much as the teams are looking to retain their star players, the Storm franchise will lose its two key players.
Seattle Storm To Lose Two Players In Free Agency
The free agency market would be a major deciding factor in the upcoming WNBA season, with the winner in the next seven days having an advantage in the season. The Atlanta Dream made a huge splash ahead of the free agency market, signing Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky. This move could also impact a few players’ decisions in free agency.
For the Seattle Storm, reports suggest that the team could lose Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins in free agency. Both players are unrestricted free agents in the market, giving them complete control over their contracts.
The star duo has been in Seattle the past two seasons
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The 2016 champion played for two seasons in the Seattle franchise and averaged around 17 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. As for the explosive guard, he also joined the franchise in 2024 and averaged 15+ points, six assists, and 1.5 steals per game for Seattle.
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While their departures would leave a huge void in the team’s stats, they will look to build around the young core available. According to reports, the Seattle Storm team has $5.9 million to spend with three players already under contract.
Seattle Storm to Rely On Young Core in 2026 WNBA Season
The Seattle Storm enters the 2026 WNBA season at a critical crossroads, seemingly prepared to pivot toward a future built around a burgeoning young core. With franchise pillars Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith hitting unrestricted free agency and facing the possibility of departure under a new coaching regime, the focus in the Emerald City has shifted toward long-term sustainability. At the heart of this movement is 20-year-old French sensation Dominique Malonga.
The 6-foot-6 center, whose elite rim protection and interior presence offer a glimpse of a post-veteran era. Management is expected to be aggressive in the 2026 WNBA Draft, where Seattle holds the prestigious No. 3 overall pick. Mock drafts frequently link the Storm to premier perimeter talents like UConn’s Azzi Fudd or TCU’s Olivia Miles to provide a dynamic scoring partner for Malonga.
While the Portland Fire’s choice of Nika Mühl in the expansion draft was a blow to the Storm’s backcourt depth, the franchise retained promising assets like Jordan Horston to bridge the gap.