WNBA 2025 roster tracker: Valkyries waive Laeticia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen as expansion team makes final cuts

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The 2025 WNBA season will tip off on Friday, which meant teams needed to finalize their rosters by Thursday. As always, this was an arduous process in a league where teams can only carry 12 players, and some break camp with 11 due to salary cap concerns.

Perhaps the most notable cut was Haley Jones, whom the Atlanta Dream waived on Wednesday. Jones was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 draft, but had struggled in her first two seasons.

Other notable players that were waived over the last week include Shyanne Sellers (Valkyries and Dream), Laeticia Amihere (Valkyries), Kaitlyn Chen (Valkyries), Grace Berger (Lynx), Deja Kelly (Aces), Madison Scott (Wings), Diamond DeShields (Sun) and Aari McDonald (Sparks).

Here's a quick glossary on the different types of roster contracts:

Protected veteran: These are veterans with a fully-guaranteed contract. Teams can only have a maximum of six players under such a contract.
Protected rookie: When a team picks up the fourth-year option on a rookie-scale contract, it becomes fully guaranteed. These contracts do not count toward the limit of protected veteran contracts.
Unprotected: These are players without a guaranteed contract. If they are waived, they are only owed the pro-rated salary for the time they were on the team. These contracts become guaranteed at the midpoint of the season.
Draftee: These are players who have just been drafted and signed their rookie scale contract. They do not count against the salary cap until the first day of the season if they remain on the roster.
Training camp: These are players who were invited to training camp on a non-standard contract that does not count against the salary cap until the first day of the season if they remain on the roster. In the event they make the team, the contract converts to a one-year, unprotected, minimum deal.

Atlanta Dream

The Dream didn't have a first-round pick in the 2025 draft, but two rookies have made the final roster: second-round pick Te-Hina Paopao and third-round pick Taylor Thierry.

Notably, the Dream waived former No. 6 overall pick Haley Jones after just two seasons with the club. While she has struggled to make the leap to the professional level, it's always surprising to see a team give up on such a high draft pick so soon.

In addition, the Dream waived Shyanne Sellers, whom they had picked up after she was cut by the Golden State Valkyries. It does not appear as though the former Maryland star will be on a roster on opening night.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Jordin Canada	Guard	7 years	Protected veteran
Nia Coffey	Forward	8 years	Protected veteran
Allisha Gray	Guard	8 years	Protected veteran
Brittney Griner	Center	11 years	Protected veteran
Brionna Jones	Forward	8 years	Protected veteran
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough	Guard	8 years	Protected veteran
Naz Hillmon	Forward	3 years	Protected rookie
Rhyne Howard	Guard	3 years	Protected rookie
Te-Hina Paopao	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Taylor Thierry	Forward	Rookie	Draftee
Maya Caldwell	Guard	3 years	Training camp

Chicago Sky

No. 10 overall pick Ajša Sivka was notably absent from training camp. While there was some initial consideration to her coming over after EuroBasket Women 2025, the Slovenian star will not arrive until 2026.

Two of the Sky's other draft picks, first-round selection Hailey Van Lith and second-round choice Maddy Westbeld, have made the roster, however.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Rebecca Allen	Forward	9 years	Protected veteran
Ariel Atkins	Guard	7 years	Protected veteran
Rachel Banham	Guard	9 years	Protected veteran
Moriah Jefferson	Guard	8 years	Protected veteran
Kamilla Cardoso	Center	1 year	Unprotected
Kia Nurse	Guard	6 years	Unprotected
Michaela Onyenwere	Forward	4 years	Unprotected
Angel Reese	Forward	1 year	Unprotected
Courtney Vandersloot	Guard	14 years	Unprotected
Elizabeth Williams	Center	10 years	Unprotected
Hailey Van Lith	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Maddy Westbeld	Forward	Rookie	Draftee

Connecticut Sun

It's rebuild time in Uncasville, and outside of a few veterans, this is a very young group, highlighted by first-round picks Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers.

Leïla Lacan, a highly-rated French guard who was the team's first-round pick last year, has made the final roster, but her contract has been temporarily suspended. As a result, the Sun will break camp with 13 players.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Tina Charles	Forward	13 years	Protected veteran
Marina Mabrey	Guard	6 years	Protected veteran
Olivia Nelson-Ododa	Center	3 years	Protected rookie
Lindsay Allen	Guard	7 years	Unprotected
Jacy Sheldon	Guard	1 year	Unprotected
Leïla Lacan	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Rayah Marshall	Center	Rookie	Draftee
Aneesah Morrow	Forward	Rookie	Draftee
Saniya Rivers	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Kariata Diaby	Center	Rookie	Training camp
Bria Hartley	Guard	10 years	Training camp
Robyn Parks	Forward	1 year	Training camp
Haley Peters	Forward	3 years	Training camp

Dallas Wings

The new-look Wings entered camp with a host of rookies, led by No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers. While her spot was never been in danger, the same was not true for the rest of the bunch. In the end, Nos. 12 and 27 picks, Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly, made the cut, while No. 14 selection Madison Scott did not.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
DiJonai Carrington	Guard	4 years	Protected veteran
Myisha Hines-Allen	Forward	7 years	Protected veteran
Teaira McCowan	Center	6 years	Protected veteran
Arike Ogunbowale	Guard	6 years	Protected veteran
NaLyssa Smith	Forward	3 years	Protected rookie
Tyasha Harris	Guard	5 years	Unprotected
Maddy Siegrist	Forward	2 years	Unprotected
Paige Bueckers	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Aziaha James	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
JJ Quinerly	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Kaila Charles	Guard	4 years	Training camp
Luisa Geiselsoder	Center	Rookie	Training camp

Golden State Valkyries

No. 5 overall pick Justė Jocytė did not participate in training camp and recently told Basket Europe she will arrive for the 2026 season.

The Valkyries made a number of controversial decisions during training camp, including waiving second-round pick Shyanne Sellers and former first-round pick Laeticia Amihere, who had 20 points in a preseason loss to the Sparks. Former UConn guard Kaitlyn Chen also did not make the team.

It's clear from the final roster that the Valkyries preferred experience over potential.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Monique Billings	Forward	7 years	Protected veteran
Stephanie Talbot	Forward	6 years	Protected veteran
Kayla Thornton	Forward	9 years	Protected veteran
Temi Fagbenle	Forward	4 years	Unprotected
Tiffany Hayes	Guard	12 years	Unprotected
Kate Martin	Guard	1 years	Unprotected
Cecilia Zandalasini	Forward	3 years	Unprotected
Carla Leite	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Veronica Burton	Guard	3 years	Training camp
Kyara Linskens	Center	Rookie	Training camp
Janelle Salaün	Forward	Rookie	Training camp
Julie Vanloo	Guard	1 year	Training camp

Indiana Fever

The Fever only brought 15 players to camp, which indicated they were pretty comfortable with their roster and rotation heading into the season. Second-round pick Makayla Timpson was the lone rookie to make the team, which will only feature 11 players due to salary cap concerns.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Damiris Dantas	Forward	9 years	Protected veteran
Natasha Howard	Forward	11 years	Protected veteran
Kelsey Mitchell	Guard	7 years	Protected veteran
Lexie Hull	Guard	3 years	Protected rookie
DeWanna Bonner	Forward	15 years	Unprotected
Aliyah Boston	Center	2 years	Unprotected
Caitlin Clark	Guard	1 year	Unprotected
Sydney Colson	Guard	10 years	Unprotected
Sophie Cunningham	Guard	6 years	Unprotected
Brianna Turner	Forward	6 years	Unprotected
Makayla Timpson	Center	Rookie	Draftee

Las Vegas Aces

The Aces waived third-round pick Harmoni Turner, as well as undrafted rookie Deja Kelly, much to the dismay of many fans after she had a strong showing during the preseason. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who was signed during free agency, has been listed as out indefinitely due to pregnancy/childbirth, so the Aces will enter the season with 13 players on the books.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Dana Evans	Guard	4 years	Protected veteran
Chelsea Gray	Guard	10 years	Protected veteran
Jewell Loyd	Guard	10 years	Protected veteran
A'ja Wilson	Forward	7 years	Protected veteran
Jackie Young	Guard	6 years	Protected veteran
Kierstan Bell	Forward	3 years	Protected rookie
Megan Gustafson	Center	6 years	Unprotected
Tiffany Mitchell	Guard	9 years	Unprotected
Kiah Stokes	Center	9 years	Unprotected
Elizabeth Kitley	Center	Rookie	Draftee
Aaliyah Nye	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Crystal Bradford	Forward	2 years	Training camp
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus	Forward	10 years	Training camp

Los Angeles Sparks

All-Star guard Kelsey Plum's arrival was the major talking point in Sparks training camp. They'll hope that she can help end the longest playoff drought in franchise history, which stretches back to 2020.

They have now set their final roster, which includes No. 9 overall pick Sarah Ashlee Barker and second-round selection Sania Feagin.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Dearica Hamby	Forward	10 years	Protected veteran
Kelsey Plum	Guard	7 years	Protected veteran
Azura Stevens	Forward	7 years	Protected veteran
Julie Allemand	Guard	2 years	Unprotected
Rae Burrell	Guard	3 years	Unprotected
Cameron Brink	Center	1 year	Unprotected
Rickea Jackson	Forward	1 year	Unprotected
Mercedes Russell	Center	7 years	Unprotected
Odyssey Sims	Guard	11 years	Unprotected
Sarah Ashlee Barker	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Sania Feagin	Forward	Rookie	Draftee
Emma Cannon	Forward	6 years	Training camp

Minnesota Lynx

No team invited more players to training camp than the Lynx, which was a bit surprising, but it's hard to question Cheryl Reeve's roster-building philosophy. While much of the team's rotation appeared to be set heading into camp, there were some surprises.

Notably, Dorka Juhász chose to sit out of the 2025 season in order to rest after playing year-round for the last two years. In addition, No. 15 overall pick Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, a 20-year-old Russian forward, was expected by many to be a draft-and-stash candidate, but appears to have made the final roster.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Natisha Hiedeman	Guard	6 years	Protected veteran
Kayla McBride	Guard	11 years	Protected veteran
Karlie Samuelson	Guard	6 years	Protected veteran
Alanna Smith	Forward	6 years	Protected veteran
Courtney Williams	Guard	9 years	Protected veteran
Bridget Carleton	Guard	6 years	Unprotected
Napheesa Collier	Forward	6 years	Unprotected
Diamond Miller	Forward	2 years	Unprotected
Alissa Pili	Forward	1 year	Unprotected
Anastasiia Olairi Kosu	Forward	Rookie	Draftee
Marième Badiane	Center	Rookie	Training camp
Jessica Shepard	Forward	4 years	Training camp

New York Liberty

Betnijah Laney-Hamilton was a notable absence from the Liberty's training camp roster. She underwent knee surgery in March and will miss the season. The Liberty's camp was more about building continuity with some of their new supporting cast members than any serious roster battles.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Natasha Cloud	Guard	9 years	Protected veteran
Jonquel Jones	Center	8 years	Protected veteran
Breanna Stewart	Forward	8 years	Protected veteran
Marquesha Davis	Guard	1 year	Unprotected
Leonie Fiebich	Forward	1 year	Unprotected
Sabrina Ionescu	Guard	5 years	Unprotected
Nyara Sabally	Center	2 years	Unprotected
Kennedy Burke	Forward	5 years	Training camp
Rebekah Gardner	Forward	2 years	Training camp
Isabelle Harrison	Forward	7 years	Training camp
Marine Johannès	Guard	3 years	Training camp
Jaylyn Sherrod	Guard	1 year	Training camp

Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury were wheeling and dealing all winter and have built an extremely top-heavy roster that boasts three All-WNBA caliber players. That 13 of the 19 players who began camp were on training camp contracts tells you all you need to know.

A number of players made the Mercury roster who may be unfamiliar to WNBA fans, including Cameroonian guard Monique Akoa Makani and Nigerian forward Murjanatu Musa. The latter is still competing overseas, so her contract has been partially suspended and the Mercury will break camp with 13 players.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Kalani Brown	Center	5 years	Protected veteran
Kahleah Copper	Guard	9 years	Protected veteran
Kitija Laksa	Guard	Rookie	Protected veteran
Satou Sabally	Forward	5 years	Protected veteran
Alyssa Thomas	Forward	11 years	Protected veteran
Sami Whitcomb	Guard	8 years	Unprotected
Monique Akoa Makani	Guard	Rookie	Training camp
Lexi Held	Guard	Rookie	Training camp
Natasha Mack	Center	2 years	Training camp
Murjanatu Musa	Center	Rookie	Training camp
Alexis Prince	Forward	3 years	Training camp
Sevgi Uzun	Guard	1 year	Training camp
Kathryn Westbeld	Forward	Rookie	Training camp

Seattle Storm

The Storm entered training camp without Jordan Horston or Nika Mühl, who tore their ACLs during the offseason. Just a few days into camp, Katie Lou Samuelson, whom they signed during free agency to help their spacing, went down with a torn ACL as well.

As a result of all those injuries, the Storm will break camp with only 11 players, and that includes Samuelson. No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga, who arrived late due to overseas commitments and missed a chunk of training camp, is on the roster.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Lexie Brown	Guard	7 years	Protected veteran
Skylar Diggins	Guard	10 years	Protected veteran
Ezi Magbegor	Forward	5 years	Protected veteran
Nneka Ogwumike	Forward	13 years	Protected veteran
Gabby Williams	Forward	6 years	Protected veteran
Alysha Clark	Forward	12 years	Unprotected
Katie Lou Samuelson	Forward	5 years	Unprotected
Dominique Malonga	Center	Rookie	Draftee
Zia Cooke	Guard	2 years	Training camp
Erica Wheeler	Guard	9 years	Training camp
Li Yueru	Center	2 years	Training camp

Washington Mystics

The Mystics had a difficult training camp. They lost No. 6 overall pick Georgia Amoore for the season due to an ACL injury, while Aaliyah Edwards (back) and Shakira Austin (right leg) were also sidelined, though neither is expected to be out long-term.

Notably, second-round pick Lucy Olsen made the final roster, which will make Iowa Hawkeyes fans happy.

Player	Position	Experience	Contract status
Stefanie Dolson	Center	11 years	Protected veteran
Brittney Sykes	Guard	8 years	Protected veteran
Shakira Austin	Forward	3 years	Protected rookie
Aaliyah Edwards	Forward	1 year	Unprotected
Sika Koné	Forward	2 years	Unprotected
Jade Melbourne	Guard	2 years	Unprotected
Georgia Amoore	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Sonia Citron	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Kiki Iriafen	Forward	Rookie	Draftee
Lucy Olsen	Guard	Rookie	Draftee
Emily Engstler	Forward	3 years	Training camp
Sug Sutton	Guard	3 years	Training camp