As the WNBA reaches the midpoint of its 2026 season, teams face a critical decision with the trade deadline set for 3 p.m. ET on August 2. With the All-Star Game concluded, franchises must determine whether to strengthen their rosters for a playoff push or begin restructuring for future campaigns.
While large-scale trades are uncommon in the WNBA at this stage, notable exceptions in recent years have shifted team trajectories. For example, the Connecticut Sun acquired Marina Mabrey from the Chicago Sky at the 2024 deadline, which helped propel them to the semifinals. Similarly, in 2015, the Minnesota Lynx’s acquisition of Sylvia Fowles from Chicago played a key role in securing one of their four championships during that decade.
Currently, the Minnesota Lynx hold the top position with a 22-6 record. To bolster guard depth and improve three-point shooting, the team has targeted Sydney Taylor from the Chicago Sky. Taylor, a guard from Louisville, is averaging 14.2 points and shooting 34% from beyond the arc, ranking fifth in the league for three-pointers made per 40 minutes.
The Golden State Valkyries, ranked second at 19-8, are eyeing Connecticut’s Aneesah Morrow to enhance their rebounding, a noted area of weakness. Morrow leads the league in rebounds per 40 minutes and rebounding percentage, averaging 10.5 points and 9.3 rebounds this season.
At third place, the Dallas Wings (18-9) have expressed interest in Olivia Nelson-Ododa, a forward also from the Sun, to strengthen their rebounding and rim protection. Nelson-Ododa is posting career-best averages with 5.7 rebounds per game and boasts a league top-10 shooting percentage.
The Las Vegas Aces (18-8), currently fourth, may seek additional playmaking options with guard Kaitlyn Chen from Golden State, who boasts high efficiency figures despite limited minutes. Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever (17-10) might pursue center Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks to add frontcourt depth and facilitate pick-and-roll plays alongside stars Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.
Other teams looking to tweak their lineups include the Atlanta Dream, which is interested in the versatile Emily Engstler from the Portland Fire, and the New York Liberty, who could seek guard Aziaha James from the Dallas Wings to improve defensive pressure and playmaking.
The Washington Mystics have targeted veteran Betnijah Laney-Hamilton from New York to provide a reliable free-throw shooter and positional flexibility, while the Portland Fire may look to add the multi-talented Dearica Hamby from the Sparks, who fits their playing style and has cap space to absorb her contract.
Further down the standings, the Phoenix Mercury and Toronto Tempo may pursue frontcourt reinforcements in Ezi Magbegor of the Seattle Storm and Natasha Mack of the Mercury, respectively, to address defensive and rebounding issues. The Los Angeles Sparks could attempt to bring back Skylar Diggins from Chicago, potentially reuniting her with former teammate Nneka Ogwumike.
The Chicago Sky, struggling with a 9-18 record, may try to reinvigorate their fan base by acquiring local favorite Kate Martin from Los Angeles. The Connecticut Sun might bolster their guard rotation with Zia Cooke from Seattle, while the Storm themselves have expressed interest in Saniya Rivers of Connecticut as a developmental project.
With only days remaining until the deadline, WNBA teams continue to explore options to refine their rosters in hopes of altering their fortunes during the second half of the season.