PHOENIX MERCURY

Longtime Mercury center Brittney Griner to test free agency

Jan 21, 2025, 9:32 AM

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner is testing free agency...

Brittney Griner led Phoenix Mercury scorers in a tough loss to A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. (Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)

(Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports)

MIAMI (AP) — Brittney Griner is testing the free agent market for the first time in her career.

The All-Star center is taking meetings starting Tuesday with multiple teams, according to her agent. WNBA executives were in Miami for the opening of Unrivaled to talk with Griner and other free agents.

Griner has been a free agent before but always re-signed with the Phoenix Mercury since she was first drafted by the franchise in 2013 as the No. 1 pick.

“I want to show off my skills for free agency,” Griner said of playing in the new league, which seems to be dominated more by guards and wings than post players.

Unrivaled has some of the top unrestricted free agents, like Griner and Courtney Vandersloot, as well as a few players who most likely will play on other teams next season despite being given the franchise tag by their current WNBA squad.

“There’s a ton of free agents here,” New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart said. “It’s like a one-stop shop to kind of do everything.”

The new league is a unique opportunity for free agents to build relationships on and off the court with some of the star players on potential destination teams.

“There’s conversations for sure. Everybody’s like ‘Hey, you want to come play here?’” said Vandersloot, who has meetings this week with multiple 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.”

Coffees and dinners have been bought and conversations are constantly being had among the 36 players. Vandersloot joked that buying her a pack of IPA would be a good recruiting pitch.

“I’m an IPA drinker, so I guess that is not a requirement. But listen, if you’re showing up with a pack of IPA, you might have a head start,” she said laughing.

Some of the potential stars at Unrivaled who could move teams include Satou Sabally, Jewell Loyd and Alyssa Thomas. Sabally and Thomas were given the franchise tags by their WNBA teams so the only way they could change teams would be via trade.

Sabally said that she doesn’t plan to return to Dallas next season to play for the Wings. Loyd isn’t a free agent but has requested a trade from the Storm.

“This is the best place to be able to recruit free agents,” Phoenix Mercury guard Natasha Cloud said. “At the end of the day, I’m very much a person that’s whatever is best for Satou moving forward — that’s what I want for Satou.”

Negotiations officially can begin Tuesday and players can sign contracts starting Feb. 1. With a new CBA featuring massive salary implications expected to come into effect in 2026, most players will sign just one-year deals.

This season the Connecticut Sun and expansion Golden State Valkyries have the most cap space to sign free agents. The Sun could lose most of their starting lineup to free agency with DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones and Thomas all potentially leaving.

“There’s a lot to think about, a lot to process,” Thomas said. “But I’m going to weigh all my decisions.”

One free agent who is not at Unrivaled is Diana Taurasi. The WNBA’s all-time leading scorer is still weighing her decision on whether to retire or come back for another season.

Phoenix Mercury

Satou Sabally, Mercury...

Alex Weiner

Satou Sabally eager to build on Mercury’s championship legacy

The Phoenix Mercury were exactly what coveted WNBA free agent Satou Sabally was looking for in the next stage of her career.

2 days ago

Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally handles the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the New Y...

Lance Hartzler

Phoenix Mercury a winner of WNBA free agency, writes ESPN’s Kevin Pelton

The Phoenix Mercury added Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to earn high trade grades from ESPN reporter Kevin Pelton.

4 days ago

John Shumate died Monday morning at the age of 72...

Tyler Drake

Former Suns forward, assistant coach John Shumate dead at 72

Former Suns first-round draft pick John Shumate, who also played a role as a scout and assistant for the team, died Monday at the age of 72.

4 days ago

Satou Sabally...

Alex Weiner

Report: Mercury acquire All-Star Satou Sabally from Wings, trade Sophie Cunningham

The Mercury reportedly added All-Star Satou Sabally from the Wings in a three-team trade that sent sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham to the Fever.

7 days ago

Brittney Griner...

Alex Weiner

Mercury legend Brittney Griner to sign with Atlanta Dream

Brittney Griner has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream, ending her tenure with the Phoenix Mercury after 11 seasons, ESPN reported. 

10 days ago

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) handles the ball against Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna S...

Arizona Sports

Report: Natasha Cloud a part of Mercury’s blockbuster trade for Alyssa Thomas

The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a trade to acquire Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas, according to multiple reports.

10 days ago

Longtime Mercury center Brittney Griner to test free agency