As the core player for the Tempo, Mabrey was eligible for $1.4 million this year, but likely negotiated a 2-year contract at the regular max of $1.19 million in year one with a slight bump up in 2027. The Tempo chose her from the Connecticut Sun in the expansion draft with the intention to core her.

Sykes comes to Toronto by way of Seattle, where she was traded midseason in 2025. She’s a strong two-way shooting guard, a WNBA All-Star, and a 4x WNBA All-Defense selection. Her veteran presence was significant on the Washington Mystics at the beginning of last season, which is likely a big reason Toronto had sought her out.

Grade for Sykes, Mabrey signings: B+

For a team that started from zero on a compact timeline, the Tempo have been taking big swings. The idea of coming out competitively in year one is an intriguing experiment for an expansion franchise, something Golden State did well in 2o25. Right now, the Tempo have the 11th-best title odds in the WNBA in 2026, at +150,000, according to our friends at FanDuel, but they were always unlikely to win a championship in year one. These signings are about setting a standard of professionalism for a new franchise, and growing a culture to build upon.

Bringing in Sykes as a veteran leader is definitely a good move to build culture on a new team, and pairing her with an instant fan-fav like Mabrey is just fun.

Right now, the Tempo’s roster is still very small and very guard-heavy. The idea of spending a max contract on Sykes when you possibly could have spent that money on a solid frontcourt player raises eyebrows and creates a little bit of risk, but it’s still early in free agency. There is still a good chunk of money and lots of good players left on the market for Toronto to get the depth they need. Overall, the Sykes move is very fun for the new Toronto team, and both of these players should quickly become fan favorites in the new WNBA city.

As the core player for the Tempo, Mabrey was eligible for $1.4 million this year, but likely negotiated a 2-year contract at the regular max of $1.19 million in year one with a slight bump up in 2027. The Tempo chose her from the Connecticut Sun in the expansion draft with the intention to core her.

Sykes comes to Toronto by way of Seattle, where she was traded midseason in 2025. She’s a strong two-way shooting guard, a WNBA All-Star, and a 4x WNBA All-Defense selection. Her veteran presence was significant on the Washington Mystics at the beginning of last season, which is likely a big reason Toronto had sought her out.

Grade for Sykes, Mabrey signings: B+

For a team that started from zero on a compact timeline, the Tempo have been taking big swings. The idea of coming out competitively in year one is an intriguing experiment for an expansion franchise, something Golden State did well in 2o25. Right now, the Tempo have the 11th-best title odds in the WNBA in 2026, at +150,000, according to our friends at FanDuel, but they were always unlikely to win a championship in year one. These signings are about setting a standard of professionalism for a new franchise, and growing a culture to build upon.

Bringing in Sykes as a veteran leader is definitely a good move to build culture on a new team, and pairing her with an instant fan-fav like Mabrey is just fun.

Right now, the Tempo’s roster is still very small and very guard-heavy. The idea of spending a max contract on Sykes when you possibly could have spent that money on a solid frontcourt player raises eyebrows and creates a little bit of risk, but it’s still early in free agency. There is still a good chunk of money and lots of good players left on the market for Toronto to get the depth they need. Overall, the Sykes move is very fun for the new Toronto team, and both of these players should quickly become fan favorites in the new WNBA city.

The Toronto Tempo are coming out swinging in their very first WNBA free agency, signing the WNBA’s first million-dollar backcourt. Per ESPN, the Tempo are signing Marina Mabrey (who they cored this week) as well as Brittney Sykes to 2-year, max contracts.

As the core player for the Tempo, Mabrey was eligible for $1.4 million this year, but likely negotiated a 2-year contract at the regular max of $1.19 million in year one with a slight bump up in 2027. The Tempo chose her from the Connecticut Sun in the expansion draft with the intention to core her.

Sykes comes to Toronto by way of Seattle, where she was traded midseason in 2025. She’s a strong two-way shooting guard, a WNBA All-Star, and a 4x WNBA All-Defense selection. Her veteran presence was significant on the Washington Mystics at the beginning of last season, which is likely a big reason Toronto had sought her out.

Grade for Sykes, Mabrey signings: B+

For a team that started from zero on a compact timeline, the Tempo have been taking big swings. The idea of coming out competitively in year one is an intriguing experiment for an expansion franchise, something Golden State did well in 2o25. Right now, the Tempo have the 11th-best title odds in the WNBA in 2026, at +150,000, according to our friends at FanDuel, but they were always unlikely to win a championship in year one. These signings are about setting a standard of professionalism for a new franchise, and growing a culture to build upon.

Bringing in Sykes as a veteran leader is definitely a good move to build culture on a new team, and pairing her with an instant fan-fav like Mabrey is just fun.

Right now, the Tempo’s roster is still very small and very guard-heavy. The idea of spending a max contract on Sykes when you possibly could have spent that money on a solid frontcourt player raises eyebrows and creates a little bit of risk, but it’s still early in free agency. There is still a good chunk of money and lots of good players left on the market for Toronto to get the depth they need. Overall, the Sykes move is very fun for the new Toronto team, and both of these players should quickly become fan favorites in the new WNBA city.

On Thursday night, she announced via social media that she would not be returning to the Storm, and Friday morning, the news came out that she intends to return to the Sparks.

After 12 seasons and one championship, Ogwumike’s departure was part of a changeover for the Sparks as they fell out of the playoff picture. They’ve spent the past few seasons rebuilding, and last season were able to bring Kelsey Plum in from the Las Vegas Aces. Bringing a player like Nneka back brings more veteran presence into the pair with Plum, while boosting their young frontcourt star, Cameron Brink.

This move also means both Azura Stevens and Dearica Hamby might be on the move as well, and if a rumored trade to send Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky for Ariel Atkins goes through over the weekend, the Sparks’ lineup will look much different this season.

Overall, the move is great by the Sparks — Ogwumike is still one of the best frontcourt presences in the WNBA. In 2025, she averaged 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds for a playoff Storm team. She’s a 10x All-Star, and just played a huge part in getting the CBA negotiations done. Pairing her with Plum and Brink will elevate the team, and hopefully attract more free agents to the Sparks as well.

I’m not sure if this is a championship-contending roster yet, but the Sparks have set themselves up well for the season ahead.

On Thursday night, she announced via social media that she would not be returning to the Storm, and Friday morning, the news came out that she intends to return to the Sparks.

After 12 seasons and one championship, Ogwumike’s departure was part of a changeover for the Sparks as they fell out of the playoff picture. They’ve spent the past few seasons rebuilding, and last season were able to bring Kelsey Plum in from the Las Vegas Aces. Bringing a player like Nneka back brings more veteran presence into the pair with Plum, while boosting their young frontcourt star, Cameron Brink.

This move also means both Azura Stevens and Dearica Hamby might be on the move as well, and if a rumored trade to send Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky for Ariel Atkins goes through over the weekend, the Sparks’ lineup will look much different this season.

Overall, the move is great by the Sparks — Ogwumike is still one of the best frontcourt presences in the WNBA. In 2025, she averaged 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds for a playoff Storm team. She’s a 10x All-Star, and just played a huge part in getting the CBA negotiations done. Pairing her with Plum and Brink will elevate the team, and hopefully attract more free agents to the Sparks as well.

I’m not sure if this is a championship-contending roster yet, but the Sparks have set themselves up well for the season ahead.

Another big-ticket free agent is off the board, as Chiney Ogwumike got to break the news that her sister will be heading back to the Los Angeles Sparks. Nneka Ogwumike, a 14-year WNBA veteran, left the Sparks two seasons ago to sign with the Seattle Storm.

On Thursday night, she announced via social media that she would not be returning to the Storm, and Friday morning, the news came out that she intends to return to the Sparks.

After 12 seasons and one championship, Ogwumike’s departure was part of a changeover for the Sparks as they fell out of the playoff picture. They’ve spent the past few seasons rebuilding, and last season were able to bring Kelsey Plum in from the Las Vegas Aces. Bringing a player like Nneka back brings more veteran presence into the pair with Plum, while boosting their young frontcourt star, Cameron Brink.

This move also means both Azura Stevens and Dearica Hamby might be on the move as well, and if a rumored trade to send Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky for Ariel Atkins goes through over the weekend, the Sparks’ lineup will look much different this season.

Overall, the move is great by the Sparks — Ogwumike is still one of the best frontcourt presences in the WNBA. In 2025, she averaged 18.3 points and 7.0 rebounds for a playoff Storm team. She’s a 10x All-Star, and just played a huge part in getting the CBA negotiations done. Pairing her with Plum and Brink will elevate the team, and hopefully attract more free agents to the Sparks as well.

I’m not sure if this is a championship-contending roster yet, but the Sparks have set themselves up well for the season ahead.

Reese, a rising third-year player, has been one of the league’s most formidable frontcourt players; she’s a two-time All-Star who has averaged 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds in her career.

“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization,” Reese said in an official press release. “I’m focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I’ve got to the Dream.”

The relationship between Reese and the Sky organization appeared fractured ever since she was suspended for a game in September for what the organization termed “statements detrimental to the team.”

That came after she sat down for an interview with the Chicago Tribune about the state of the organization. Among her remarks, Reese told the Tribune she is “not settling for the same shit we did this year,” and that the team ”[has] to get great players,” among other comments.

The Chicago Sky failed to make the playoffs in both of Reese’s first two seasons, finishing with a 10-34 record last season — the second-worst record in the WNBA.

The Dream were 30-14 last year, but lost to the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs. They were led by All-Stars Allisha Gray (18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists), Rhyne Howard (17.5 points, 4.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds), and Brionna Jones (12.8 points, 7.7 rebounds per game).

Atlanta Dream general manager Dan Padover praised Reese in an official statement.

“Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta,” said Padover. “She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production, and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans.”

Reese, a rising third-year player, has been one of the league’s most formidable frontcourt players; she’s a two-time All-Star who has averaged 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds in her career.

“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the Atlanta Dream organization,” Reese said in an official press release. “I’m focused on continuing to grow my game, competing at the highest level, connecting with the fans, and giving everything I’ve got to the Dream.”

The relationship between Reese and the Sky organization appeared fractured ever since she was suspended for a game in September for what the organization termed “statements detrimental to the team.”

That came after she sat down for an interview with the Chicago Tribune about the state of the organization. Among her remarks, Reese told the Tribune she is “not settling for the same shit we did this year,” and that the team ”[has] to get great players,” among other comments.

The Chicago Sky failed to make the playoffs in both of Reese’s first two seasons, finishing with a 10-34 record last season — the second-worst record in the WNBA.

The Dream were 30-14 last year, but lost to the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs. They were led by All-Stars Allisha Gray (18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists), Rhyne Howard (17.5 points, 4.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds), and Brionna Jones (12.8 points, 7.7 rebounds per game).

Atlanta Dream general manager Dan Padover praised Reese in an official statement.

“Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta,” said Padover. “She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production, and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans.”