April 13
In WNBA free agency, Aliyah Boston signed the richest deal in league history and the Liberty signed their big three.
www.espn.phHere are the latest highlights on WNBA free agency in 2026, based on the most recent reporting I can access right now.
Key moves and headlines
- A’ja Wilson re-signed with the Las Vegas Aces on a record supermax deal, signaling the league’s willingness to lock up elite players long-term. This was widely reported by multiple outlets in mid-April 2026. [ESPN, Shams Charania/Andraya Carter coverage][4]
- Aliyah Boston reportedly signed the richest contract in WNBA history, a landmark deal for the Liberty as they continue to assemble a powerhouse roster. This development was highlighted in ESPN reports around mid-April 2026. [ESPN/Chiney Ogwumike reporting][3]
- Arike Ogunbowale agreed to a seven-figure, multi-year contract to return to the Dallas Wings, choosing a roster-building approach over a higher potential max. This was reported by ESPN around April 2026. [ESPN: Alexa Philippou][3][4]
- Kelsey Mitchell remained with the Indiana Fever on a one-year deal at the league’s supermax level, keeping veteran leadership in Indiana for the 2026 season. [ESPN reporting][3]
- Jonquel Jones was expected to re-sign with the New York Liberty, continuing her impact in a star-studded lineup. While there were initial rumors, reporting soon pointed toward her return to New York. [XI Sports/ESPN-level outlets][1][3]
What this means for teams
- The top teams are prioritizing core players on long-term deals, creating stability but reducing immediate cap flexibility for add-ons. The Wilson and Boston signings exemplify this trend toward franchise-defining commitments. [ESPN reporting][4][3]
- The Wings and Liberty are actively assembling rosters around established stars, signaling a strategy of pairing star power with complementary role players. Ogunbowale and Boston moves illustrate this approach. [ESPN reporting][4][3]
- The league’s new collective bargaining framework in 2026 accelerated free agency activity, allowing signing dynamics to unfold in a compressed window before the season tip. This context was noted in multiple free-agency trackers. [ESPN/ESPN-affiliates][3][4]
For a deeper dive, I can pull the full articles or offer a concise team-by-team tracker summarizing every reported signing, trade, or rumor with dates and sources. If you want, tell me which teams you care about and I’ll compile a focused summary with citations.
Citations
- Descriptions of A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Arike Ogunbowale, Kelsey Mitchell, and Jonquel Jones moves are reflected in ESPN reporting around mid-April 2026.[4][3]
- General trackers and live updates around 2026 free agency were covered by The Sporting News and Bleacher Report, among others.[2][1]
- Additional free-agency context and marquee signings were reported in ESPN’s coverage of the 2026 class.[4]