WNBA star Brittney Griner is testing WNBA free agency for the first time in her career, bringing up a very real possibility that the center will not be with the Phoenix Mercury next season, the team that drafted her in 2013.
WNBA free agents can sign with teams on Feb. 1. Where will Griner play next season?
Check out the latest news, rumors and speculation surrounding Griner, 34, in WNBA free agency, with the Atlanta Dream, Las Vegas Aces, Connecticut Sun, Golden State Valkyries and Seattle Storm among the potential landing spots for the center in 2025, in addition to returning to the Mercury.
More: Phoenix Mercury’s Brittney Griner testing WNBA free agency for first time
CBS Sports: Atlanta Dream, Golden State Valkyries, Las Vegas Aces potential landing spots for Brittney Griner
Jack Maloney wrote of the Aces: “If Griner is willing to take less money for a year to compete for a title, the Aces would give her that opportunity. She wouldn’t be a perfect fit, but that’s going to be the case everywhere given her skillset. There’s no denying her offensive talent, and she would help take some of the scoring burden off of Wilson and Co., while also providing some rim protection. From a pure talent perspective, she would be a major upgrade on the Aces’ frontcourt depth.”
Wright Way Sports Network: Connecticut Sun, Dream, Aces, Valkyries potential next teams for Brittney Griner
It wrote of the Sun: “The Sun has the second most money in free agency; the Sun cored Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones, and DeWanna Bonner are free agents. The signing of Griner would be huge for the Sun because it could make Bonner and Thomas want to stay with the team and make a run at the championship. Griner and Thomas would create a physical front line that would be hard for teams to stop.”
More: Brittney Griner unfollows Phoenix Mercury on social media amid free agency speculation
Sportskeeda: Phoenix Mercury, Dream, Valkyries top potential destinations for Brittney Griner
Kim Daniel Rubinos wrote of the Valkyries: “One of the teams with the most cap space this offseason is the expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries. While the Valkyries are linked with several free agents, adding a veteran like Brittney Griner would make sense for the Valkyries’ inaugural season. The 34-year-old Griner can impact the team with her presence and play.”
Yardbarker: Seattle Storm, Sun, Valkyries potential new homes for Brittney Griner in WNBA free agency
Colby Colwell wrote of the Storm: “Forwards Nneka Ogwumike (16.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG) and Gabby Williams (10.3 PPG) and guards Skylar Diggins-Smith (15.1 PPG, 6.4 APG) and Loyd (19.7 PPG) were major contributors to the team’s success a season ago. With Loyd asking for a trade and Ogwumike an unrestricted free agent, the likelihood of all four of them returning does not seem high. If the roster can mostly stay intact, Griner could be an excellent addition to a team that lost in the first round of the playoffs last season.”
Phoenix Mercury storylines: Diana Taurasi passing baton, Brittney Griner, WNBA popularity
For the Win: Dream, Valkyries, Suns, Aces, Mercury intriguing landing spots for Brittney Griner
Meghan L. Hall writes of the Dream: “Tina Charles was fantastic for Atlanta last season, but Charles came out of retirement to join the team, and a huge reason why she joined the Dream―former head coach Tanisha Wright―is gone. If Charles isn’t returning, the Dream desperately need a center to pair with Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada and Naz Hillmon. The team has struggled to keep up with other franchises who have size and strength in the paint, and Griner instantly solves that. Plus, there’s this nugget. B.G.’s always gotten a warm reception from opposing fans in Atlanta. Do with that information what you will.”
ESPN: Las Vegas Aces best fit for Brittney Griner in WNBA free agency
It writes: “Tuesday’s news that Griner is testing free agency made waves throughout the WNBA, particularly after Griner had previously said “Phoenix is home … This is it.” But things change, and it would be a major move for Griner to continue her WNBA career for a different franchise after spending her entire career with the Mercury. There’s one interesting option if she doesn’t want to move too far: Las Vegas. The Aces have sorely missed having another big who can be an offensive threat alongside A’ja Wilson. Could we see Wilson and Griner — who won two Olympic gold medals together with USA Basketball — join forces for the Aces?”
More: Brittney Griner going back to year-round basketball in Unrivaled league
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Brittney Griner WNBA free agency updates: Rumors, speculation, teams
