With the core designation, New York will officially take the biggest free agent off the market as the Liberty now have exclusive negotiating rights with Stewart.

Gabby Williams, who averaged a career-high 10.3 points last season, was designated as the Storm's core player and will not become an unrestricted free agent.

New York's Breanna Stewart was one of a handful of players given the franchise tag by their WNBA teams, meaning they can't sign a contract directly with anyone else. Other players receiving the franchise player designation include Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas),

Gabby Williams will reportedly not become an unrestricted free agent, and the Storm will use their core designation on the sixth-year forward.

Central New York native Breanna Stewart was one of a handful ... include Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas), Satou Sabally (Dallas) and Gabby Williams (Seattle). Teams have until next Monday — the day ...

New York’s Breanna Stewart was one of a handful of ... include Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas), Satou Sabally (Dallas) and Gabby Williams (Seattle). Teams have until next Monday — the day before ...

The Storm have designated Gabby Williams as their core player, meaning she will not become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN.

The 2025 WNBA free agency negotiating window opens this week with a handful of star names and former MVPs leading the pack. The most movement is expected to come via trades, as the most notable names are likely to stay with their franchises and multiple players are set up for sign-and-trade deals.

The WNBA's Connecticut Sun put a core designation on free agent star Alyssa Thomas, but the veteran cold still demand a trade.

Oct 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of game three of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Between coring stars and sending qualifying offers, WNBA teams are gearing up for February's free agency period with early negotiations.

T he Seattle Storm have cored Gabby Williams, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton reported on Tuesday. That means that the versatile wing will be offered a one-year contract at the WNBA’s hig