Storm Core Ezi Magbegor, Extend Reserved Qualifying Offers to 2 Others
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Seattle Storm forward Ezi Magbegor (13) dribbles against Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby (5) during the second quarter at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images [/caption]
The Seattle Storm made a trio of qualifying offers on Tuesday as they attempt to retain Ezi Magbegor, Mackenzie Holmes and Zia Cooke, per the WNBA’s transaction wire.
Seattle extended a core qualifying offer to Magbegor, which is a one-year, fully guaranteed deal valued at the new supermax figure of $1.4 million. It does not guarantee Magbegor will sign for that amount, but it does give Seattle exclusive negotiating rights.
Magbegor could accept a contract that includes less money and more years, but she also could demand the supermax. She could also sign and be traded.
Holmes and Cooke each received reserved qualifying offers, which also allows the Storm to control negotiations with those players. Both were reserved free agents entering this offseason.
If all three are re-signed, the Storm will have six total players under contract after losing Nika Mühl to the Portland Fire in the WNBA expansion draft.
Why Magbegor for core?
To say Magbegor was an unexpected core target would be an understatement. She was one of just 10 players who received core designations, and it seemed Magbegor was much closer to being allowed to leave as an unrestricted free agent than getting a potential supermax salary from the Storm.
Here are all 10 players who were cored by their respective teams on Tuesday.
- Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm
- Allisha Gray, Atlanta Dream
- Ariel Atkins, Chicago Sky
- Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
- Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever
- Kelsey Plum, Los Angeles Sparks
- Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
- Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
- Bridget Carleton, Portland Fire
- Marina Mabrey, Toronto Tempo
Magbegor and Carleton are the only players on the list who averaged fewer than 10 points per game in 2025, and neither were All Stars. If they do actually sign for a supermax value, Portland and Seattle are putting a ton of faith in them to produce at an elite level.
What it does indicate is that the Storm and new head coach Sonia Raman don’t appear to be committing to a rebuild behind 2025 No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where the Storm core Magbegor and aren’t aggressive in free agency to try and assemble a competitive roster.
Even though they play different roles, Magbegor was outshone by Malonga offensively and on the glass once former head coach Noelle Quinn allowed her more playing time. Magbegor’s production has decreased each of the last two seasons since her All-Star campaign in 2023 — a lost season where the Storm were a non-competitive 11-29.
Raman may be placing a lot of value on Magbegor’s defensive prowess, which is by far her best trait. Magbegor was an All-Defensive Second Team selection for the third time in her career after averaging 2.2 blocks, which was second in the league behind A’ja Wilson.
Malonga has a long way to go to become a consistent interior defender, so that could be the direction Raman is going.
There is a chance that the Storm are hoping to sign-and-trade Magbegor, but it seems unlikely. A lesser deal below the supermax is more likely. Seattle will likely focus on guards in the WNBA Draft, and a combination of Magbegor, Malonga and Holmes down low is a good start to the frontcourt.
On Holmes and Cooke
Cooke flashed in the preseason but wasn’t given many opportunities in the regular season. She averaged 3.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.4 steals in 10 minutes per game.
In the right situation, Cooke could be a much bigger contributor in the backcourt. Whether that will happen under Raman depends on how she performs in training camp and the preseason, assuming she is re-signed.
Holmes dominated the WNBL in Australia this offseason, averaging 21.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals with the Geelong Venom. She finished fourth in MVP voting and was an All-WNBL First Team selection.
If re-signed, Holmes could see a massively increased role with the Storm this season.
