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Other players receiving the franchise player
designation include Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas), Satou Sabally
(Dallas) and Gabby Williams (Seattle).
Teams have until next Monday — the day before players and teams
can begin negotiating — to offer core designations to eligible
players. By coring a player, the team gives them a one-year
qualifying offer at the WNBA's maximum salary of $249,244. It
prevents the player from signing with another team as a free
agent.
Stewart helped bring the Liberty their first WNBA championship
last fall and the franchise tag was not a surprise. She planned
on returning to the team.
Sabally said last week that she didn't plan on playing in Dallas
any longer, and by coring her the Wings can potentially trade
her instead of just losing their star while getting nothing in
return.
Plum and Williams haven't said yet whether they want to return
to play for their franchises.
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires
after next season, players can be given the franchise tag a
maximum of twice. This is the second straight season that
Stewart has been cored by New York. Teams are allowed to give
one player the franchise tag.
Teams can begin negotiating with free agents on Jan. 21, but
can't officially sign them until Feb. 1.
Top unrestricted free agents include Nneka Ogwumike, Alyssa
Thomas, Brionna Jones, DeWanna Bonner and Kelsey Mitchell.
Brittney Griner is an unrestricted free agent as well, but has
indicated in the past she only wanted to play for Phoenix.
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