Seattle Storm Free Agency Tracker: Signings, Departures and Rumors

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Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) dribbles the ball against Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) in the first half during game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images [/caption]

As expected, WNBA free agency began this week and quickly picked up steam once it started rolling. The Seattle Storm are already looking at making an entirely new team heading into the 2026 season.

Veterans are on their way out, and it remains to be seen how much interest the team will get from unrestricted free agents. More than two-thirds of the WNBA players are free agents, and a lot of money will be moving around under the new CBA.

Teams have to act fast ahead of the WNBA Draft on Monday, April 13, to see how their rosters will look before making rookie selections. The Storm hold two first-round picks, including the No. 3 selection in the draft, which could be used to take a franchise-altering talent.

Here’s what we know so far about players coming and going from the Storm in reverse chronological order to put the most recent news at the top.

Sunday, April 12

• The Storm re-signed guard Jade Melbourne, the team announced, a former 2022 third-round pick by the team. Melbourne spent the last two seasons with the Washington Mystics, appearing in 43 games (12 starts) in 2025 and averaging 5.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.6 steals per game. Seattle now has 10 players under contract heading into the WNBA Draft on Monday, April 13.
• Veteran wing Katie Lou Samuelson re-signed with the Storm after missing the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL that she suffered during practice. Samuelson previously was with the Storm in 2021, and she now gets a chance to be a part of the lineup moving forward if she can stay healthy.
• Ezi Magbegor has re-signed with the Storm, the team announced. Seattle used its core designation on Magbegor, which made her eligible for the $1.4 million supermax under the new CBA. Although her salary is not yet disclosed, Magbegor will likely be the highest-paid player on the Storm in 2026 if she isn’t traded after Monday’s WNBA Draft.
• Former Storm wing Gabby Williams has signed a multi-year deal with the Golden State Valkyries, per ESPN’s Andraya Carter. Williams was reportedly considering the Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx and the Valkyries as her desired destinations, and she now completes the mass exodus of 2025 Storm stars that included Nneka Ogwumike (LA Sparks), Skylar Diggins (Chicago Sky), Brittney Sykes (Toronto Tempo), Erica Wheeler (LA Sparks) and now Williams.

Saturday, April 11

• The Storm are signing former Washington Mystics center Stefanie Dolson, per reporter Khristina Williams. Dolson, 34, is a former two-time WNBA All-Star and became a WNBA champion with the Chicago Sky in 2021. She averaged 15.2 minutes with the Mystics last season, started 14 games and averaged 3.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Dolson will likely be a depth piece off the bench behind Ezi Magbegor and Dominique Malonga.
• Reserved free agents Mackenzie Holmes and Zia Cooke re-signed with the Storm, the team announced. The Storm extended reserved qualifying offers to both players on Tuesday, April 7. With the Storm trending towards a rebuild, each could have many more minutes headed their way in 2026.
• The Storm confirmed the signing of former Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman to a reported two-year deal (compensation unknown).
• Former Storm guard and seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins has signed a two-year deal with the Chicago Sky, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Diggins moves on to her fourth WNBA team in her now-12-year career.
• Veteran former Storm guard Erica Wheeler announced via social media that she is signing with the Los Angeles Sparks, joining Nneka Ogwumike. Wheeler spent one season with the Storm and was arguably the team’s most clutch player. She joined Seattle after being cast off by the Indiana Fever and averaged 10.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 steals.

Friday, April 10

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Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) dribbles upcourt against the Golden State Valkryies in the third quarter in game two of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images [/caption]

• The Storm are expected to sign former Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman, per reporter Khristina Williams. Hiedeman, 29, is a former 2019 second-round pick and is coming off one of her best seasons in a successful campaign for the Lynx. The crafty guard averaged 9.1 points, 1.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.7 steals in 2025.
• Former Storm guard Brittney Sykes, who Seattle gave up a first-round pick for midway through the 2025 season, has agreed to terms with the expansion Toronto Tempo, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. Sykes averaged 11.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals in just 14 regular-season games in Seattle. She struggled in the playoffs, scoring a combined 13 points across the Storm’s three games versus the Las Vegas Aces.
• Star defensive wing Gabby Williams is not expected to return to the Storm, per Beta Basket and Forbes reporter Roberta F. Rodriques. Williams represented the Storm this offseason at the WNBA Draft lottery and, at least publicly, has indicated she will be returning to Seattle. She is an unrestricted free agent, but appeared committed to the franchise even after the head coach change. Williams has been with the Storm since 2022 and had a career year in 2025 after averaging 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.5 blocks.
• Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike plans to sign with the Los Angeles Sparks after two seasons in Seattle. Ogwumike began her career with the Sparks, spending 12 seasons with the team.

Thursday, April 9

• Ogwumike announced she was leaving the Storm, with the Sparks as the likely landing spot.
• Veteran guard Skylar Diggins is in talks with the Chicago Sky, per Rodrigues, and a deal could be reached soon. Diggins joined the Storm at the same time as Ogwumike in 2024, and both veterans are now expected to play elsewhere.

Tuesday, April 7

• The Storm extended a core qualifying offer to center Ezi Magbegor, making her eligible to receive the new WNBA supermax salary of $1.4 million in 2026. Even though Magbegor was an unrestricted free agent, Seattle secured her negotiating rights with the core designation. She can sign for less money, more years, or a combination of both. The Storm can also sign-and-trade Magbegor to another team.
• Storm reserved free agents Mackenzie Holmes and Zia Cooke were extended reserved qualifying offers, also securing their negotiating rights. Both could play much bigger roles in 2026.