Napheesa Collier, the Minnesota Lynx’s five-time All-Star forward, is set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, and the questions about her future have never been louder. It all stems from a one-year deal she signed last offseason instead of a long-term contract, and now the entire WNBA is watching to see if she’ll stick with the team that drafted her.
Ankle Surgery and A Season Full of “What Ifs” For Collier
This season was a wild ride for Collier. After finishing as runner-up in MVP voting in both 2024 and 2025, she was limited to just 16 games after undergoing offseason surgery on both ankles. That kept her sidelined until late July, a brutal blow for any team. When she finally got back on the court, she put up some seriously strong numbers: 16.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals, with incredible 50/44.4/85.7 shooting splits. The talent is clearly still there, but the source notes she didn’t quite make her “usual impact” in her limited return. The buzz around her future has only cranked up over the past six months, especially after unanimous Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles burst onto the scene in Collier’s absence.
Silence From Collier, A Warning From The Coach: The Lynx Are On Edge
The situation got super tense after the Lynx crashed out of the playoffs in the first round. Collier totally sidestepped questions about her impending free agency at her exit interview. “I haven’t even thought about that. We lost less than 48 hours ago, and I don’t think, we didn’t expect to be here, you know. So I really haven’t had any time to decompress or anything like that,” Collier said. She added, “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.” That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement for staying, is it? Even Lynx coach and president Cheryl Reeve sounded less than convinced Collier would be back. Reeve stated, “Whatever she decides, we’re both going to be OK. 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.” That quote says it all, doesn’t it? It sounds like they’re preparing for the worst.
Collier’s Legacy and The Crossroads For The Lynx
Collier’s been a foundational player for the Lynx ever since they picked her No. 6 overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, immediately snagging Rookie of the Year. Since then, she’s racked up five All-Star selections, four All-WNBA nods, four All-Defensive honors, four top-five MVP finishes, and the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year award. She’s been key in ushering in a new era, with the Lynx becoming the first team to win 30-plus games in three consecutive seasons and earning the No. 1 seed in both the 2025 and 2026 playoffs. But here’s the kicker: despite all that regular season dominance, they only have one Finals appearance to show for it. Now, with Collier’s future hanging in the balance, the team faces a huge decision. Will she stay to push for that championship, or will her desire for “something better” lead her somewhere new this winter? The entire league is waiting to see.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply