Griner is testing the free-agent market for the first time in her career, her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, told The Associated Press. If she heads to another team, the Phoenix Mercury could replace her with other free-agent bigs such as Emma Meesseman, Brionna Jones, Tina Charles or Natasha Howard.

As the WNBA enters free agency, Breanna Stewart and other stars who are eligible to talk to teams are signing new deals or being given the core designation by their teams this offseason.

With the WNBA exploding in popularity and a new TV deal bringing more revenue, the expectation is that salaries will jump in 2026 and most free agents will sign one-year contracts to get back onto the market next offseason.

New York’s Breanna Stewart was one of a handful of players who have been given the franchise tag by their WNBA teams, meaning they can’t sign a contract directly with anyone else

Two of the biggest names in the WNBA were on the move Sunday night in a blockbuster three-team trade. The deal sees six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd go from the Storm to the Aces and three-time All-Star Kelsey Plum sent from Las Vegas to the Sparks,

Oct 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of game three of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

WNBA free agency has opened and a three-team trade sending Jewell Loyd to Las Vegas and Kelsey Plum to Los Angeles has started the wheels spinning.

With the core designation, New York will officially take the biggest free agent off the market as the Liberty now have exclusive negotiating rights with Stewart.

Sunday's blockbuster trade sent Jewell Loyd to Las Vegas, Kelsey Plum to L.A. and possibly positioned Seattle to make a play for Paige Bueckers.

WNBA season will already feature a new look from last year with the Golden State Valkyries playing their inaugural season and the schedule being expanded to a new regular-season high of 44 games per team.

New York's Breanna Stewart was one of a handful of players given the franchise tag by their WNBA teams, meaning they can't sign a contract directly with anyone else.

Breanna Stewart Given Franchise Tag by New ... Other players receiving the franchise player designation include Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas), Satou Sabally (Dallas) and Gabby Williams (Seattle).