The CBA negotiations are creating quite an impact. With signs of a deal yet, cracks are already forming among the players. Recently, both Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum spilled the beans about the rift within the WNBPA. While some players are in favor of the lockout, a lot of them are reconsidering a possible compromise.
As players are fighting for equal pay, fans are publicly voicing their support for the cause. Unfortunately, with the March 10 deadline approaching fast, things are looking extremely sombre. Navigating the tumultuous situation, not only the players but the franchise general managers, too, are making plans about a possible 2026 season.
WNBA General Managers Lay Down 2026 Draft Plans
In a normal situation, the WNBA Draft should have been completed by now. With some of the best NCAA talents like Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts waiting in the wings, there is no certainty as to when things will get back to normal. However, despite all the dark clouds hovering, the franchises have started planning in case the season gets underway.
According to reports, ESPN had an all-important chat with some of the WNBA general managers. One among them, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “We’ve gotten a gist that we’re not going to be able to protect six. Most likely the rule will be five. You just run through a bunch of scenarios to try to be as prepared as possible … trying to project other teams and what their situation is going to be, who’s going to be available or who’s not.”
What are the GMs saying about the WNBA Draft?https://t.co/J2am9xNPj3
— Debmallya Chakraborty (@DebmallyaC93340) March 6, 2026
The general manager also pointed out that since there are so many factors affecting the season, the preparations need to be more on point. This year, the WNBA has added a couple of expansion teams in the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
While both teams would seemingly go heavy on signings, the league has not clarified how the draft rules will apply to the other teams. And to clear up all this confusion, the league must first sign the CBA deal as soon as possible. Thankfully, despite the reported rift, Natasha Cloud extended her support towards the association.
Natasha Cloud Voices Concern For The Mid-Level Players As WNBA Looks To Cut Off Housing
After cutting off the housing facilities altogether in a previous proposal, the WNBA faced a lot of backlash. Amending their contract, the authorities proposed a phased closure of the housing program. While this might be beneficial for the big names like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, the players in the mid-category will face some significant challenges.
Voicing out her frustrations, Cloud said, “I stand very much unified with the players’ association. We are still not making enough that middleman (‘middle class’ players, who aren’t on rookie contracts or the top veteran players), potentially still not making enough for housing to also be taken off the table.”
"We are still not making enough."
— Sportico (@Sportico) March 2, 2026
Natasha Cloud responds to the WNBA's new CBA proposal and brings up her issues with housing potentially being taken away, citing that a big market like NYC will essentially cancel out the $200K jump in salary. pic.twitter.com/Z1mpJHL0pa
Surely, the league and the players’ association are still far from signing the CBA deal. As the players go round and round on their demands, the possibility of the season starting on time looks quite bleak.