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Collier Faces Major Decision as WNBA Free Agency Approaches
Napheesa Collier is a star basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx.
She missed much of the season while recovering from surgery on both ankles.
She played 16 regular-season games and returned shortly before the All-Star break.
The Lynx then lost both games of their first playoff series against the New York Liberty.
Collier’s contract is ending, so she can decide whether to stay or play somewhere else.
She says she loves her team and the organization, but she has not decided what to do.
Her coach and teammate hope she stays, but say the choice is hers.
Collier also believes the Lynx can still compete for a championship.
Napheesa Collier is expected to enter free agency before the 2027 WNBA season after signing a one-year contract with Minnesota.
Ankle surgeries delayed her 2026 debut until just before the All-Star break, and she played 16 regular-season games.
The Lynx were swept by the New York Liberty in the first round after finishing the season as the No. 1 seed.
Collier said she loves Minnesota but has not yet had time to consider her next move.
Coach Cheryl Reeve and teammate Kayla McBride said they hope Collier returns while supporting her decision.
- Who
- Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx.
- What
- Collier faces a decision about whether to return to Minnesota as she enters WNBA free agency.
- Where
- Minnesota; the Lynx were eliminated by the New York Liberty.
- When
- Before the 2027 WNBA season; she discussed the decision after the Lynx's playoff exit.
- Why
- Collier signed a one-year contract and is now eligible to consider her next move.
Reasons to return
Reasons to consider other options
Collier's next chapter
Reasons to return
Reeve and McBride said they hope Collier chooses to stay with Minnesota.
Reasons to consider other options
Reeve and McBride also said Collier should make the decision that is best for her; Collier has not yet decided.
Minnesota's title prospects
Reasons to return
Collier expressed confidence that the Lynx's current core can win a title.
Reasons to consider other options
The Lynx had a second straight early playoff exit as the No. 1 seed, and their next attempt could come without Collier.
Key facts
- Player
- Napheesa Collier, a five-time All-Star and 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.
- Team
- Minnesota Lynx
- Contract
- One-year contract following the new collective bargaining agreement.
- 2026 regular season
- Collier played 16 games after ankle surgeries delayed her debut until just before the All-Star break.
- Playoffs
- The Lynx, a No. 1 seed, were swept in two games by the New York Liberty in the first round.
- Collier's comments
- She said she loves the organization and team but had not yet considered her decision.
Quotes
Napheesa Collier
Minnesota Lynx forward considering her free-agency decision
“Of course I don’t want that to be my last game with ‘Phee,’ and she knows that, but I also want her to figure out what this next chapter looks like for her and make the best decision for her. I want that to be here of course, but I just want her to choose her.”
livemint.com
“I can tell you that I love it here. I love the organization. I love my team and everything like that, but I just haven’t had the time to give that any thought.”
livemint.com
Sources
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