The WNBA free agency market is heating up, and a major development has emerged out of Seattle. The Storm have designated star forward Gabby Williams as their core player for the upcoming season. This move carries significant weight, as it essentially binds Williams to the team for the time being and sets the stage for contract negotiations under a new set of parameters.
Examining the Core Player Designation
So what exactly does this “core player” designation entail? In essence, it’s a mechanism within the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement that allows each team to select one player who would otherwise be an unrestricted free agent and tie them to the franchise for an additional year.
For the chosen player, in this case Gabby Williams, it means she is now classified as a restricted free agent rather than an unrestricted one. The Storm can now offer her a one-year contract at the league’s maximum salary, which for the 2025 season stands at $249,244. While Williams is free to negotiate with other teams, Seattle holds the right to match any offer sheet she may sign.
Impact on Williams’ Free Agency
This development adds a fascinating wrinkle to Williams’ free agency outlook. Just last summer, reports circulated that she had communicated to teams that a commitment to not use the core designation on her would play a key role in her decision on where to sign after leading France to an Olympic silver medal.
However, sources tell ESPN that Williams and her representatives are not caught off guard by Seattle’s decision. In fact, they have been working closely with the Storm organization to map out her next steps and future with the franchise.
Williams’ Unique Circumstances
It’s important to note the unique circumstances surrounding Williams’ tenure in Seattle thus far. After a late arrival last season due to overseas commitments, she suited up for just 12 regular season games with the Storm. Contrast that with the full campaigns logged by other star players who received the core designation this year, such as Kelsey Plum, Satou Sabally, and Breanna Stewart.
Williams’ international basketball obligations have also prevented her from going through the typical unrestricted free agency process in previous years. She last re-signed with Seattle in July 2023 as a restricted free agent while recovering from a concussion suffered during her professional stint in France.
Betting on Williams’ Potential
Despite the limited sample size, the 12 games Williams played for the Storm in 2024 offered a tantalizing glimpse of her potential. She posted career highs nearly across the board, with averages of:
- 10.3 points per game
- 4.0 rebounds per game
- 3.7 assists per game
- 1.7 steals per game
Her defensive prowess also stood out, building on her selection to the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2022 when she last played a full season.
On the international stage, Williams further cemented her status as a premier player. She earned a spot on the Olympic All-Star Five after averaging 15.5 points and 2.8 steals per game while leading host nation France to the gold medal game, where they ultimately fell to Team USA by a single point.
“Although the Storm’s season ended in a sweep by the Aces in the opening round of the playoffs, Williams said afterwards she thought re-signing with Seattle was the correct move.”
– Gabby Williams in 2024
By designating Williams as their core player, the Storm are banking on her ability to build off that sensational Olympic run and her flashes of brilliance in a Storm uniform. They clearly view her as a foundational piece for the franchise moving forward.
The Core Designation’s Future
It’s worth noting that the current collective bargaining agreement, which codifies the core player designation, is set to expire after this season. As the league and the players’ union gear up for a new round of negotiations, it will be interesting to monitor whether this mechanism stays in place, gets modified, or is scrapped altogether.
For now, the core designation remains a powerful tool for teams to retain top talent in an increasingly competitive free agent market. Gabby Williams is the latest example of a franchise making full use of this provision to shape their roster for the upcoming campaign and beyond.
As the WNBA offseason kicks into high gear, all eyes will be on how Williams and the Storm navigate this new dynamic. Will she sign the one-year qualifying offer? Will rival teams force Seattle’s hand with lucrative contract proposals? Or might a sign-and-trade scenario materialize?
One thing is for certain: Gabby Williams has firmly established herself as one of the game’s brightest young stars. Where she ultimately ends up is one of the most captivating storylines in a fascinating WNBA free agency period. The basketball world eagerly awaits her decision.
