The WNBA free agency has kicked off this week, as most of the players are eligible for a new contract. Amid this, a majority of teams have begun labeling one star with a core designation, which protects them from negotiating offers with other teams. While fans wonder about the process of core designation, let’s delve into more details.
What is WNBA core designation?
The core designation tag is similar to the NFL’s franchise tag, as both are the team’s way of locking in crucial players on expiring contracts to protect them from entering unrestricted free agency. It gives a team exclusive rights to negotiate with the player.
On the other hand, the player is guaranteed a minimum of a super-max one-year contract that’s fully guaranteed. The cored player is free to negotiate with its team to get a better offer. As per the timeline, the negotiations could go until Friday, and the signings might start on Saturday.
What players are already designated as core by teams?
10 of 15 teams have already extended core offers to their top picks. Let’s see who has received the core designation tag.
#1. Sabrina Ionescu
Sabrina Ionsecu, who averaged 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season, is the center of the New York Liberty’s perimeter shooting. She is eligible for a max $1.4 million deal next season.
#2. Napheesa Collier
Napheesa Collier, who led the Minnesota Lynx in 2025, averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds. She is an efficient scorer and works on both ends of the floor, averaging 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks last season.
#3. Kelsey Mitchell
The Indiana Fever has picked Mitchell to receive the core designation, who led the team with 20.2 points and 3.4 assists. Even without Caitlin Clark on the roster, Mitchell led the team to the semifinals.
#4. Kelsey Plum
Kelsey Plum, who led a stacked Los Angeles Sparks with 19.5 points and 5.7 assists per game. The Sparks are filled with scoring talents like Dearica Hamby and Rae Burrell.
#5. Arike Ogunbowale
Ogunbowale scored 15.5 points and 4.1 assists per game in 2025. She was diagnosed with right knee tendonitis in August last year and missed several games. However, the team still has faith in her.
#6. Allisha Gray
Allisha Gray led the Atlanta Dream, scoring 18.2 points in 2025. She is one of the finest 2-way wings in the league, and the franchise has shown her value for the team.
#7. Ariel Atkins
After trading Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky has decided to core designate Atkins for next season. The 2-way guard is known for her defense, but she also helped space the floor on the offense, scoring 13.1 points and 3.6 assists.
#8. Ezi Magbegor
Even though Nneka Ogwumike was also on a one-year deal with the Seattle Storm, the franchise designated Magbegor as the core player. She averaged eight points and 6.2 rebounds last season. She was a menace on the board and efficiently protected the rim, averaging 2.2 blocks.
Apart from the above players, the expansion teams, Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, designated Marina Mabrey and Bridget Carleton, respectively.
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