6 hours Ago By Matthew Neschis
Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner is ready to dip her toes in the free agent pool . For the first time in her decorated career, Griner is expected to test out the free agent market and speak with other teams across the WNBA . According to her agent, she will begin taking meetings with prospective suitors on Tuesday while competing in Unrivaled - a three-on-three league co-founded by New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart and Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier .
Given Griner’s impressive resume, the 10-time All-Star is likely to garner immense interest should she decide not to return to the Mercury - the franchise that drafted her with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. Over 30 games last regular season - all of which she started - Griner averaged 17.
8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 57.
9 percent from the field. Though Griner has already become a free agent on more than occasion during her 11 seasons in the WNBA, she’s always returned to Phoenix and has played every game of her WNBA career with the Mercury. This time around, however, the 34-year-old appears intent on seeing what other options are on the table.
Discussing her reasoning behind playing in Unrivaled - which features few other post players of her status - Griner said: “I want to show off my skills for free agency.” The center is not alone, with droves of attendees hoping to make a strong impression on potential future teammates and coaches from other teams. Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news “There’s a ton of free agents here,” Stewart noted.
“It’s like a one-stop shop to kind of do everything.” Mercury guard Natasha Cloud expressed a similar sentiment, adding: “This is the best place to be able to recruit free agents.” While Unrivaled was initially founded as a viable alternative to playing overseas during the offseason, players are now using it as a recruitment platform.
“There’s conversations for sure. Everybody’s like ‘Hey, you want to come play here?’” said Courtney Vandersloot, who also finds herself on the free agent market and is actively in talks with several teams. “I think it’s great.
You know, it gives you an opportunity to get, like, real honest feedback about teams and say, who wants to play with each other? We’re at a time in the league that there’s going to be a lot of player movement.” Starting Tuesday, free agents can begin negotiations with teams they’re interested in joining. February 1 marks the first day that those players can officially sign contracts.
With a new collective bargaining agreement expected just around the corner - most likely in 2026 - most players are expected to ink one-year deals this offseason. In doing so, they will be able to reap the rewards of the ensuing increase in salary cap next year..
