As the 2024 WNBA Free Agency period unfolds, teams across the league are making strategic moves to strengthen their rosters for the upcoming season. With some teams making bold decisions, while others face tough choices, the landscape of the WNBA has seen significant shifts. Among these moves, the Indiana Fever has been one of the most talked-about teams, and the WNBA landscape is filled with both winners and losers as franchises prepare for the next chapter. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers of the 2024 WNBA Free Agency, with a special focus on the Fever’s ranking.

Winners:

 Las Vegas Aces

The Las Vegas Aces have emerged as one of the biggest winners of this free agency period. With their dominant roster already featuring superstars like A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray, the Aces were able to make a key move by securing All-Star forward, Natasha Cloud. This acquisition further solidifies their depth and championship aspirations. The Aces have reinforced their already elite lineup, making them the team to beat heading into the 2024 season.

Cloud’s leadership and defensive prowess will complement the Aces’ offensive firepower, creating a well-rounded team that can compete on both ends of the floor. With the backing of owner Mark Davis and head coach Becky Hammon, Las Vegas looks poised to continue their dynasty.

 New York Liberty

The New York Liberty have also made a splash in free agency, landing crucial signings that should help them build a championship-contending roster. Their move to bring in veteran guard Courtney Vandersloot to play alongside Sabrina Ionescu, along with the addition of a solid frontcourt piece like Stefanie Dolson, has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the WNBA.

Vandersloot’s playmaking ability and leadership will give the Liberty the depth they need to contend for a title, and with their strong core of Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Dolson, they are set to make a deep run in 2024. New York’s ability to attract top talent signals the team’s serious intent to become a powerhouse.

Phoenix Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury made a major statement in free agency by adding some much-needed depth to their roster. The addition of Diamond DeShields, a versatile wing player, provides the Mercury with a player who can create offense and contribute both offensively and defensively. Paired with the likes of Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brittney Griner, DeShields gives Phoenix a strong and balanced roster.

The Mercury also secured a few solid role players that will help take the pressure off their stars. This should allow Phoenix to be competitive once again, after a tough 2023 season. The Mercury’s free agency signings are exactly what they needed to maintain relevancy in the competitive West.

Losers:

 Chicago Sky

The Chicago Sky had a tough free agency period, losing several key players to other teams. Most notably, the departure of Courtney Vandersloot to the New York Liberty has left a major void in the Sky’s backcourt. Vandersloot was a key piece in Chicago’s success, and her departure to a rival leaves a significant hole in their championship hopes.

While the Sky made some moves to replace her, including re-signing All-Star forward Kahleah Copper, their ability to replace Vandersloot’s elite playmaking and leadership remains in question. Chicago’s failure to secure significant free-agent signings means they are now facing an uphill battle in the loaded Eastern Conference.

 Los Angeles Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks have had an underwhelming free agency period, and it’s hard to call their moves a success. While they managed to retain some of their core players, such as Nneka Ogwumike, the Sparks were unable to make any significant additions that could push them into true championship contention. The lack of a superstar addition leaves them in a position where they are at risk of stagnating in a tough Western Conference.

The Sparks had the opportunity to bring in big names but failed to make any major moves, meaning their roster remains a work in progress. While the team is still competitive, they may not have the firepower needed to make a deep postseason run.

Washington Mystics

The Washington Mystics are another team that didn’t capitalize on the free agency period. While they re-signed some key players, like Elena Delle Donne, they failed to add significant pieces to help elevate the roster. The Mystics were already struggling with depth in recent seasons, and they did not address that issue in free agency.

Washington’s inability to secure a big-name free agent or bolster their roster further leaves them stuck in mediocrity. They have a solid foundation with Delle Donne and Tina Charles, but without further improvements, they risk being outpaced by teams that made more proactive moves in free agency.

Indiana Fever: Ranked

The Indiana Fever’s free agency moves have placed them somewhere in the middle of the pack. While the team didn’t make a splash by landing a top-tier free agent, their moves were solid, with a focus on building around their young core.

The Fever secured the services of veteran guard Kelsey Mitchell, who is known for her scoring and leadership. They also added a couple of experienced players to support their youth movement. The team is focused on developing its younger players, including recent draft picks, and seems committed to building a competitive roster in the future.

However, despite these moves, the Fever’s free agency period leaves them ranked lower compared to other teams that made more significant additions. While the franchise is clearly in a rebuilding phase, they have not done enough in free agency to warrant being considered a top contender. Their ranking falls in the middle of the WNBA as a team that is improving, but still far from a championship-caliber roster.

The Fever’s strategy moving forward will be to focus on developing their young players and adding more talent over the next few seasons. While they may not be immediate contenders, the long-term outlook for the franchise remains promising if they continue to make smart moves in the upcoming seasons.

Conclusion:

As the 2024 WNBA season approaches, free agency has reshaped the league’s landscape. Teams like the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty have taken significant steps toward title contention, while others like the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks face challenges after a lackluster free agency period. The Indiana Fever have made some key moves to build for the future, but they still have a lot of work to do before they can compete at the highest level.

The WNBA is undoubtedly on the rise, with increasing attention on the talent and star power in the league. As teams continue to build their rosters, it will be exciting to see which teams emerge as true contenders for the 2024 championship, and which will need to regroup and rebuild.