As the 2025 WNBA trade deadline approaches on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET, teams are gearing up for critical roster adjustments that could shape their playoff ambitions. With several prominent players becoming free agents for the 2026 season, the stakes are particularly high this year due to ongoing changes related to the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) beginning in 2026.
The excitement kicked off over the weekend when the Minnesota Lynx, boasting an impressive 24-5 record, traded for guard DiJonai Carrington from the Dallas Wings, who are currently at 8-21. In exchange, the Lynx sent forward Diamond Miller, guard Karlie Samuelson, and a 2027 second-round draft pick to the Wings. Carrington, recognized as a member of the WNBA’s All-Defensive First Team and the league’s Most Improved Player, will join Minnesota to help fill the gap left by All-Star Napheesa Collier, who is sidelined with an ankle injury for at least two weeks.
Miller, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, has had a challenging start this season, not having made a start in 2025 after being a starter in all 32 games during her rookie year with the Lynx. This trade marks a new opportunity for her in Dallas. Following the transaction, Samuelson was waived by the Wings, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.
On Tuesday, the Washington Mystics added to the trade activity by sending All-Star guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm in exchange for veteran Alysha Clark, guard Zia Cooke, and a 2026 first-round pick. Seattle currently holds the sixth spot in the standings while acquiring Sykes, who is averaging 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game, bolstering their playoff pursuit.
With the impending new CBA, the financial landscape of the WNBA appears poised for significant shifts. Currently, the minimum salary for players with 0-2 years of experience is $66,079, while those with three or more years earn a veteran minimum of $78,831, with supermax contracts reaching up to $249,244. The salary cap for each team this year is over $1.5 million.
Earlier this season, a noteworthy trade involved the Las Vegas Aces acquiring forward NaLyssa Smith from the Wings in exchange for a future first-round pick. The Aces currently hold a record of 15-14 and are still vying for a playoff spot.
As teams make these strategic moves, fans can stay updated on the latest developments and highlights of the 2025 WNBA trade deadline through live coverage. The coming days promise to be crucial for teams looking to define their futures and make a mark as the playoffs loom closer.