WNBA free agency is almost here.
The league’s free agency period, which operates similarly to the NBA’s, will begin Saturday, Jan. 11, and run through the end of winter. It has specific dates for primary or reserved players and unrestricted free agents.
THE Indiana fever will be active, hoping to retain both All-Star Kelsey Mitchell and add star power to complete Caitlin Clark And Aliyah Boston.
More: Celebrate Caitlin Clark’s historic rookie season with the Fever with our special book!
Here is the 2025 WNBA free agency schedule:
The only player on the Fever roster that concerns this period is Kelsey Mitchell, who is core eligible after exhausting her three-year extension with the Fever following the 2024 season.
Indiana can extend a base qualifying offer to Mitchell starting Jan. 11, which will give Fever exclusive negotiating rights in exchange for a one-year max contract (expected around $294,000). The Fever may allow Mitchell to speak to other teams, but it is not required.
More: Kelsey Mitchell says Indy could be home, but she must be ‘selfish’ about free agency
The Fever will be able to negotiate with all free agents, other than players who have been retained by other teams, during this period.
If Indiana wanted to talk to a core player, like Satou Sabally of the Dallas Wings (who is likely to get a core designation), the Fever would need to get permission from the Wings to do so.
Indiana can also offer players who are restricted free agents, but those players may have those offers matched by their current teams.
This is when things will start to become official. Players will sign contracts or tender sheets with their respective teams starting February 1, cementing them on the roster.
Teams will not officially announce any player signings until February 1st.
This article was originally published on the Indianapolis Star: Key 2025 WNBA Free Agency Dates: When can players sign with teams?
