All eyes are on the WNBA preseason, with a new class of basketball stars becoming professionals (and pretty big stars in the process). Players like Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso, and Angel Reese have drawn in more viewers, boosted ticket sales around the country, and breathed new life into the league. But…there is a key hurdle coming up that they must make it past.
The official season begins May 14, meaning teams can make cuts until then. The final roster must be cut down by May 13.
Yep, not everyone who is currently in the WNBA will actually stay in the pro league (and some people who were drafted won’t actually play in a regular season game). Right now, the WNBA is in its preseason, which is a good time for coaches and teams to see what does and doesn’t work. But it also means that plenty of excellent players could be on the chopping block.
Here’s everything you need to know about WNBA roster cuts, and who’s likely to make the teams.
How many players can be on a WNBA team?
Each WNBA team has to have a minimum roster size of 11 players and a maximum roster size of 12 players, according to the WNBA’s website. With 12 teams across the country, that’s only a maximum of 144 spots to be filled by veterans and newbies, making the WNBA really, really competitive.
Up to 18 players can sign with WNBA teams, but six will be cut. Given how short the turnaround is between the college season and start of the WNBA season, the whole thing is just tough, especially for newcomers.
Who has been cut from the WNBA?
While there is still time for teams to make decisions, the final day for cuts in Monday May 13. In 2023, just 15 of the 36 WNBA draftees made the final cut, according to the Indy Star. While the final cut day is still ahead, a lot of the big names who were drafted—including Caitlin, Kamilla, and Angel—haven’t been waived, per CBS Sports.
The most notable cut so far is Bria Hartley, who was released by the Las Vegas Aces, per CBS. She tore her ACL during 2020 and has only played 19 games since then, per the outlet. She was trying to make a comeback in 2024.
In addition to cutting Bria, the Las Vegas Aces removed Brea Beal, Angel Jackson, Morgan Jones, and Kamaria McDaniel from the team. Kate Martin (who played with Caitlin throughout her college career with the Hawkeyes) survived the Aces’ cuts to stay on the 12-person roster, per Inside the Hawkeyes. After initially traveling to New York only to support her teammate Caitlin, Kate was selected in the second round of the draft by the Aces, a.k.a. the reigning WNBA champs.
From the Atlanta Dream, Elizabeth Balogun, Taja Cole, and Khaalia Hillsman were cut. (Elizabeth and Taja were rookies, while Khaalia had played on the team for a year.)
So far, the Connecticut Sun have waived one-year players Leigha Brown, Rennia Davis, and Kianna Smith. They also cut Shey Peddy, who has played in the league for five years.
The Dallas Wings said goodbye to rookies Ashley Owusu and Katrina Pardee.
The Los Angeles Sparks cut Virag Kiss, a rookie, and Taylor Mikesell, a guard who played in the league for a year.
The Minnesota Lynx removed rookies Mimi Collins and Kiki Jefferson, and Quinesha Lockett from the team. They also waived Ruthy Hebard, who previously played for the Chicago Sky.
The Seattle Storm cut Alaina Coates, a center with five years of experience, and Kaela Davis, a forward who played in the league for the same amount of time. Rookie Quay Miller was also cut.
The Washington Mystics cut rookie Honesty Scott-Grayson from the roster.
The Phoenix Mercury, the New York Liberty, the Indiana Fever, and the Chicago Sky have not announced any cuts thus far.
Will Caitlin Clark start in the WNBA?
It’s highly likely that Caitlin will start in the WNBA, given her level of talent and huge following. Caitlin just started in a preseason game against the Dallas Wings and scored 21 points, per ESPN.
“My biggest goal coming into tonight was to continue to be myself, play aggressive,” she said afterward, per ESPN. “I thought that’s what I did. I think there’s a lot to be proud of.”
What happens after a WNBA player is cut?
It depends. Again, the WNBA is incredibly competitive and it’s really hard to make one of these spots.
“If you get cut after training camp, that does not mean you’re not good,” Atlanta Dream’s Laeticia Amihere said in a recent TikTok. “That does not mean that player sucks. Don’t stop supporting that player.”
Laeticia also said that things like fit on a team and chemistry can play a role in who makes the final roster. That said, people who get cut can get snapped up by another team or could go overseas to play—and overseas teams tend to pay higher salaries than they do in the U.S.
The good news in all of this is that WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert is talking about expanding and wants to have 16 WNBA teams by 2028—which, again is four more than currently exist, AP News says.
The WNBA season kicks off on May 14—and a lot can change before then.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
Jacqueline Tempera is an award-winning writer and reporter living in New Jersey with her many pets. She is a business owner and a double Scorpio who loves all things astrology and reality television. She is passionate about body diversity and representation, mental health, and the fight to end sexual assault and harassment. To learn more about Jackie, follow her on Instagram @jacktemp or visit her website at jackietempera.com.
