Lynx's Napheesa Collier trade update could dictate WNBA deadline

Before a Sunday afternoon showdown with the surging Indiana Fever, the Minnesota Lynx clarified their trade deadline stance amid rumors that star player Napheesa Collier could be traded by the 3 p.m. ET deadline.

The Lynx, winners of nine in a row, have the WNBA's best record at 24-6. But Collier -- a pending free agent -- has been on the periphery this season, as she missed the first 27 games while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.

Collier's absence provided a platform for rookie Olivia Miles to shine and emerge as a possible MVP candidate, and The Athletic's Annie Costabile reported this week that the Lynx could explore a shock Collier trade if the five-time All-Star signals an unwillingness to sign a new contract.

MORE: Lynx get shocking Napheesa Collier trade update ahead of WNBA deadline

However, it appears that head coach and top executive Cheryl Reeve is willing to take the risk.

Reeve on Sunday told reporters that the Lynx roster is "complete," and Minnesota would not make any trades prior to the deadline.

“Our roster is complete… we will not be making any trades.” — Cheryl Reeve, re: playing a game that will end around the trade deadline today

A Collier trade would have been the biggest blockbuster in the WNBA this season -- bigger than the Phoenix Mercury's swoop for Kelsey Plum on Saturday night.

While it would have made a certain degree of long-term sense given Collier's interest in exploring free agency, a midseason Collier deal might have been a difficult sell to the rest of the Lynx's roster, let alone Minnesota's passionate fans.

Extracting fair value in a Collier trade would have been a challenge as well. Though she has been out for most of 2026, a healthy Collier is one of the WNBA's finest players. She is a former Defensive Player of the Year winner, and she finished second in MVP voting in 2024 and 2025.

The Miles-Collier duo has shown some promise as the two stars learn to play together, and they will get at least the rest of 2026 to continue gelling as the Lynx pursue a first WNBA championship in nine years.

More WNBA news:

• Caitlin Clark and Fever face ultimate test in showdown with WNBA-leading Lynx

• Kelsey Plum trade grades: Mercury make bold playoff gamble as Sparks begin another rebuild

• Lynx's Olivia Miles experienced an unfortunate career first despite blowout win

• Sophie Cunningham fires back at Portland crowd, corrects viral claim about her response