On January 15, the WNBA’s 2021 free agency officially got underway as teams were able to start negotiating with players.
5) Diana Taurasi
2020 Season Average: 18.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG
Last summer, Taurasi was the only player in her 17th season to finish in the top 10 in scoring and assists, which is a testament to her greatness. Many players even well beyond her peak are unable to create an offense the way she does. Although she is an unrestricted free agent, it would be a shock if she leaves the Phoenix Mercury.
4) Emma Meesseman
2020 Season Average: 13.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.2 SPG
Meesseman happens to be one of the best frontcourt playmakers in the league. She is an efficient scorer from all over the floor and a clutch playoff performer. The Washington Mystics should be eager to bring her back to see if they can reclaim their title with everyone back in action in 2021.
3) Chelsea Grey
2020 Season Average: 14.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.5 SPG
Since the Sparks could only core one of their free agents this season, and they did not choose Grey, it is a possibility that she could be on the move. She should have no shortage of offers since she is the best point guard on the market. She is also a really slick passer and one of the only two players to average a minimum of five assists in the last three seasons.
2) Alyssa Thomas
2020 Season Average: 15.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.0 SPG
After playing overseas for a while, Thomas had to return to the United States earlier this month after suffering knee injury. The severity of the injury is still unclear. She is an absolute force on both ends of the court. She will get a max deal no matter what, but it will be a big deal if she ends up not being able to play this season.
1) Candace Parker
2020 Season Average: 14.7 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.2 SPG
Since the Sparks chose to core Nneka Ogwumike this offseason, Parker, one of the league’s all-time greats, will hit unrestricted free agency. Head coach Derek Fisher said that it will be a priority to re-sign Parker, although those two have not always seen eye-to-eye. It will be a huge shift for the league if another team is able to lure her away.
