Seattle, WA – April 13, 2026 – Seattle Storm fans are bracing for a dramatically different team as the WNBA enters a transformative offseason marked by player movement, expansion, and a new collective bargaining agreement. Familiar faces are heading out, and for many in the Emerald City, the sting is made sharper by seeing some of them land back in rival Los Angeles.
In March, the WNBA and the players’ association reached a verbal agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, opening the door for improved salaries, benefits, and broader opportunities across the league. At the same time, expansion has reshaped the landscape, with the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo joining the league ahead of its milestone 30th season, set to tip off May 8. Former Storm Nika Muhl will be part of the Fire’s debut season.
The recent expansion draft has already begun redistributing talent, leaving fans across the league anxiously watching free agency unfold. For Seattle, the losses have come quickly and painfully.
Among the most emotional departures is the return of Erica Wheeler and Nneka Ogwumike to the Los Angeles Sparks. Wheeler, a dynamic and fiery point guard, quickly became a fan favorite during her lone season in Seattle, especially during the Storm’s 2025 playoff push against the Las Vegas Aces.
Now, she heads back to Los Angeles, where she previously played in 2021, filling the gap left by Julie Allemand, who was selected by the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft. Wheeler appeared in 44 games for Seattle, bringing energy and leadership that will be missed.
Ogwumike, one of the league’s most accomplished players, is a 10-time All-Star and returns to the Sparks, where she spent the first 12 seasons of her career. A 2016 MVP, she built a legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. Her departure leaves a significant void in both production and veteran presence for the Storm.
The roster shake-up doesn’t end there.
Gabby Williams, coming off a career-best 2025 season, has signed a multiyear deal with the Golden State Valkyries.
The versatile forward averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists while leading the league in steals with 2.3 per game. A key two-way player, Williams also brings international pedigree, having earned Olympic medals with France in both 2021 and 2024.
Brittney Sykes, who joined Seattle late in the 2025 season after a trade from the Washington Mystics, is headed to the Toronto Tempo. Like Wheeler and Ogwumike, Sykes has ties to Los Angeles, further underscoring the interconnected movement among teams this offseason.
Perhaps one of the toughest losses for fans is veteran guard Skylar Diggins agreeing to a two-year deal with the Chicago Sky. A seven-time All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, Diggins made a notable impact in her two seasons with Seattle, climbing to fifth on the franchise’s all-time assists leaderboard despite her short tenure.
Diggins was a spoken advocate for women’s sports often partnering with other Seattle leagues such as the PWHL Seattle and was excited to share Climate Pledge Arena with the Seattle Torrent.
Monday’s attention now turns to the future as fans welcome new talent excited to be part of the Storm’s passionate WNBA community.
Up Next: The 2026 WNBA Draft will take place Monday, April 13, in New York City at The Shed in Manhattan at 7 PM EST / 4 PM PST. The Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick in a draft that will also feature selections from the league’s newest franchises.
Seattle enters the draft with multiple opportunities to rebuild, holding picks No. 3, 13, 14, and 33.
Watch: ESPN and ESPN Deportes; live streaming on ESPN Unlimited, DirecTV and more.
Related
Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky!
*Photos by Caroline Anne
Come As You Are Sports 
Share your thoughts and connect with others :)