WNBA trade deadline: 3 trade scenarios for playoff contenders looking to make a push
Those are the kind of trades general managers dream of making. But this year is particularly interesting, as nearly every non-rookie contract ends after this season because of the impending CBA expiration. Will general managers be more likely to make risky trades because of their concerns about how the future CBA will affect their teams? Or will it make them more conservative for the same reason?
WNBA trade rules are fairly cut and dry. With the help of Her Hoop Stats, here are the basics of WNBA trades:
Any player can be traded, and contracts do not need to be equal for trades to happen. Cash considerations are not a part of WNBA trades for that reason.
The team picking up a player is on the hook for the rest of her salary from the time she's traded.
Draft picks can be traded, and the 2026 draft order already includes several trades.
Not every team will be active at the trade deadline, as some teams don't have the salary cap room to make changes. The Liberty don't have much cap space — $119,000, per Her Hoop Stats, but that was before they signed Belgian superstar Emma Meesseman. The top team in the league, Minnesota, is also unlikely to make a huge move; they have a chemistry that has led them to a record of 23-5, and only $43,494 in cap space.
Atlanta is salary cap-prohibited, and Indiana has a full roster at 12. The Fever have been active on the free-agent market this season with their injury issues, and signed Chloe Bibby to a rest of the season contract on Friday.
Now, let's get to the trades that could make sense:
Dallas' DiJonai Carrington to Golden State for a second-round draft pick
Kayla Thornton had been enjoying a breakout season in Golden State, making it to her first All-Star Game, but her season ended with a knee injury on July 25. To make it into the playoffs in the franchise's first season, the Valkyries will need to continue to focus on defense. The Wings' Dijonai Carrington is relentless on that end of the floor, and could make an immediate impact at Golden State. She's dealt with ongoing injuries, so a second-round pick could be fair compensation as the Wings are likely looking forward to the team they will build around Paige Bueckers. Plus, Golden State has plenty of cap space (about $300,000) to absorb the trade this way.
Chicago's Rebecca Allen to Seattle for Alysha Clark and a draft pick
Seattle's defense is incredible, and with Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga on patrol, it will only get better. But on offense? Seattle is ranked ninth in the league in points per game (80.7) and 3-pointers made per game (7.4). Currently ranked fourth in the WNBA at 16-11, the team is hoping to follow Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins to a title. But they could use a shooter, and Chicago's Rebecca Allen could be a good fit. She is a plug-and-play type, as she's played for four different teams over the past four seasons. To be able to afford Allen, Alysha Clark's giant contract ($185,000) will need to be moved. Clark and a draft pick to build up the Sky in the future could make the trade worthwhile for Chicago.
Los Angeles' Azurá Stevens to Washington Mystics for Aaliyah Edwards and a second-round draft pick
One of the pleasant surprises of the 2025 season is how well the young Mystics team has played. Led by rookie All-Stars Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, the team is well-positioned to make a postseason push in Sydney Johnson's first season as head coach (they're 13-14, currently 9th in the league). But they could use some veteran leadership and depth in the frontcourt. The Sparks' Azurá Stevens (14.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists per game) could provide both, and with Cameron Brink healthy again, she's needed more in Washington than in Los Angeles. Aaliyah Edwards has been eclipsed by the Mystics' rookies and could find a new start in LA.
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