WNBA free agency has opened. With a new CBA expected to come into effect in 2026, expect to see players sign only one-year deals.

Gabby Williams will reportedly not become an unrestricted free agent, and the Storm will use their core designation on the sixth-year forward.

The Seattle Storm have designated Gabby Williams as their core player, meaning she will not become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Teams have until Jan. 20 -- the day before players and teams can begin negotiating -- to extend core designations to eligible players.

Williams, widely considered one of the sport’s elite defenders, signed with the Storm mid-season after spending the first half of the season with the French national team, which culminated in an Olympic silver medal. In 12 games with the Storm, she averaged a career-high 10.3 points, as well as 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

The Seattle Storm designated forward Gabby Williams as a core player on Tuesday, ensuring she will not become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Thomas was one of the top free agents on the market this winter — she was named to the First Team All-WNBA in each of the last two seasons, averaging 10.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last year. She’s also the league’s all-time leader in triple-doubles and one of its most impactful defenders.

Likely dictated by the decisions of Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams, the Storm's free-agency moves will likely have a long-term impact on the franchise.

The Seattle Storm have designated Gabby Williams as their core player, meaning she will not become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Williams' situation is notable because ...

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires after next season, players can be given the franchise tag a maximum of twice. This is the second straight season that Stewart has been cored by New York. Teams are allowed to give one player the franchise tag.

Remember the final game at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where W’s top stars faced tough competition from French players? The post Gabby Williams' WNBA Future on the Line as Seattle Storm Move Leaves Her Options Hanging by a Thread appeared first on EssentiallySports.

The No. 17-ranked University of Arkansas gymnastics team dropped a close dual meet at No. 12 Auburn on Friday, scoring 196.25 to the Tigers' 196.7 at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala.

The WNBA's Connecticut Sun put a core designation on free agent star Alyssa Thomas, but the veteran cold still demand a trade.