New WNBA Rule Prevents Lynx From Using Core Tag on Napheesa Collier Again

Minnesota cored Napheesa Collier in April. Under the new rules, it was the last time the Lynx could.

The collective bargaining agreement the WNBA and its players’ union struck in March ends core eligibility at seven years of service, starting in 2027, the league said when it announced the deal. Collier now has eight seasons in, The Associated Press reported.

The same change applies to Jackie Young. She has played eight seasons for Las Vegas and will reach free agency without a core tag available to the Aces, as Her Hoop Stats’ Richard Cohen noted.

Surgery on both ankles kept Collier out until just before the All-Star break, and she got into 16 games. Her line was 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 50% shooting, 44.4% from 3, per CBS Sports. New York swept the Lynx out of the first round.

Collier said at her exit interview that she had not even thought about free agency yet.

“So I really haven’t had any time to decompress or anything like that,” Collier said. “I can tell you that I love it here.”

Lynx coach and president Cheryl Reeve said she was proud of the work the franchise poured into Collier.

Young averaged a career-high 18.9 points with 4.4 rebounds and a career-high 6.8 assists for the Aces. She made the All-WNBA Second Team for the second straight season. She also left Klutch Sports for WME Sports, CBS Sports reported.

Mitchell scored 24.7 points per game for the Indiana Fever and set the single-season record with 1,086 points. She has played her entire career in Indiana.

“I have to be selfish,” Mitchell said at her exit interview. “I think that’s where I am in my career … what I probably need and what’s probably best for me. So I have to be selfish in that room.”

“But I think, ultimately, being on the Fever and being a part of an organization that does come with a lot of ups and downs, what factors in and what is important for me is, obviously, having a good chemistry on and off the floor,” Mitchell continued. “I’ve only been with one team my entire career, so it’s all kind of like figuring this out. It’s hard, man.”

Indiana president Kelly Krauskopf has stepped down, and the Fever fired general manager Amber Cox.

Plum also signed a one-year deal before the Sparks traded her to Phoenix at the deadline. ESPN reported in August that she intends to go through a full free agency process. Brittney Griner is also an unrestricted free agent.

The negotiating period opens Feb. 4, with contracts allowed from Feb. 16. Reeve’s exit-interview answer made clear that the decision was Collier’s to make.

“Whatever she decides, we’re both going to be OK,” Reeve said. “What Phee has given this franchise, we’re super proud of. And we’re super proud of the work we’ve poured into her. If she lands on being here, great. And if there’s something better for her, that’s life.”