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The WNBA's first tipoff always sneaks up on fans due to the little time between the Women's NCAA Tournament and the league's draft. This year, the league's first tipoff falls on May 8, with the Connecticut Sun and New York Liberty scheduled to kick things off.
No other sport moves this quickly from the draft to its regular season, and teams are forced to make quick decisions about their roster. The WNBA also added two expansion teams this year in the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. With another couple of teams in the mix, the league could see a sizeable amount of roster movement as players are waived and relocated prior to the 2026 season beginning.
Which WNBA players failed to make the cut in 2026? The Sporting News details the rookies on opening day rosters, as well as the players who fell just short before the season tips off on May 8.
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What does it mean to be waived?
Every WNBA team is required to cut down the size of its roster by the start of the regular season on May 8. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, teams are allowed an increased minimum roster size of 12 players, compared to the traditional 11 players, plus two more roster spots for developmental players, and salary cap exceptions for injured or pregnant players.
In order to follow these requirements, teams must cut players from their rosters, which means sending players to the league's waiver system.
Once a player is waived, the team removes her from the roster and places her on the waiver wire. In the ensuing 48 hours, other teams can claim a player's contract. If multiple teams submit a claim, then the league will award the contract to the team with the highest waiver priority. This is similar to what the NFL does.
If one of the 15 WNBA teams does not claim a player off waivers, she gains the "cleared" status and moves on to become an unrestricted free agent. After that, she can negotiate with a new team and sign a new contract there.
WNBA roster cut updates
Monday, May 4
12:28 p.m. - Despite beginning to improve during her career, the Chicago Sky has announced the team is waiving Hailey Van Lith. According to Kendra Andrews, Chicago's decision was based on the team's “style of play preference.” Van Lith is in active conversation with several different teams.
Sunday, May 3
6:07 p.m. - The Golden State Valkyries announced their rounds of waives, one of those being No. 16 overall pick Marta Suarez. The team originally drafted Flau’jae Johnson with the No. 8 pick, but traded her on draft night to move down and select Suarez. The former 2025 NCAA champion should receive some attention from other teams.
WNBA players waived before 2026 season, by team
Here's a full list of the players waived ahead of the 2026 regular season.
This section will be updated.
Atlanta Dream
- Bella Fontleroy
- Laila Phelia
- Sacha Washington
- Paige Robinson
Chicago Sky
- Hailey Van Lith
- Latasha Lattimore
- Tonie Morgan
- Jordan Hobbs
- Megan Nestor
- Sidney Cooks
Connecticut Sun
- Harmoni Turner
- Kyla Oldacre
- Mamignan Toure
Dallas Wings
- Kyla Oldacre
- Lazaria Spearman
- Grace Sullivan
- Shyanne Sellers
Golden State Valkyries
- Miela Sowah
- Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda
- Cate Reese
- Marta Suarez
- Mariella Fasoula
- Ashlon Jackson
- Caroline Ducharme
- Bailey Maupin
Indiana Fever
This will be updated with cuts as they are made.
Las Vegas Aces
This will be updated with cuts as they are made.
Los Angeles Sparks
- Amelia Hassett
Minnesota Lynx
- Aubrey Griffin
- Lani White
- Jade Masogayo
- Reigan Richardson
- Amaya Battle
- Sakima Walker
- Ra Shaya Kyle
New York Liberty
- Ny'Ceara Pryor
- Ashley Owusu
Phoenix Mercury
- Jaime Nared
- Aisha Sheppard
- Maggie Doogan
- Yarden Garzon
- Kalani Brown
Portland Fire
- Peyton Williams
Seattle Storm
- Taina Mair
- Elle Ladine
- Jalyn Brown
- Beatrice Mompremier
Toronto Tempo
- Elizabeth Balogun
- Dara Mabrey
- Maddison Rocci
- Kristy Wallace
Washington Mystics
- Kamaria McDaniel
- Mya Hollingshed
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