Absurd Trade Offers for Untouchable WNBA Stars

The WNBA playoffs tip off this weekend. By Halloween, a champion will be crowned.

But it's never too early to look ahead to the offseason as teams learn to adjust to the 2026 collective bargaining agreement. The WNBA is a hard-capped league, and with core players, maxes, supermaxes and a growing list of stars, it has become increasingly unpredictable.

In April, the Chicago Sky stunned by trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream for two first-round picks. Chicago's season is over early, while the Dream won 30 games and look to do damage this postseason.

What other stars could be moved in 2027? Instead of taking the conservative approach, bear with us as we go for the absurd and ask, What if?

We're not expecting any of this to happen, but in a world where the NBA's Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Dončić, let's have some fun speculating together!

Dallas Wings Get: Caitlin Clark Indiana Fever Get: Paige Bueckers

From rivals to Team USA teammates to traded for each other? No other players, no picks, just two of the league's elite young guards swapping cities and uniforms.

The Wings may love Bueckers, but Clark is the WNBA's biggest draw—perhaps in the sport itself, on par with any NBA superstar. Dallas gives Clark a max deal before the 2028 season, building the roster around one of the league's most exciting scorers and playmakers.

For Indiana—assuming the franchise doesn't win the title this year—concerns will renew about Clark's postseason viability. Getting out of the first round will be a tall order, with the Fever having drawn the Aces. While Clark has grown as a defender, she isn't as strong on that side of the ball as Bueckers.

Instead of maxing Clark, the Fever get through 2028 with Bueckers on her rookie-scale contract. The combination of Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell—assuming she re-signs as a free agent—and Bueckers would be lethal.

It's difficult to imagine either team parting with their franchise players—the only arguable option would be flipping them for each other.

New York Liberty Get: A'ja Wilson Las Vegas Aces Get: Breanna Stewart

Just as Clark-Bueckers features a simple swap of two star guards, this concept has the elite veteran power players shifting conferences. Assuming that neither the Liberty nor the Aces win the sixth title in a row between the two franchises this October, this is the only trade that makes sense.

Unlike the NBA, where teams can send out a boatload of draft picks like four first-rounders plus swaps, the WNBA is limited to two future drafts. Two first-rounders won't be enough for either Wilson or Stewart, but if it were time for a change, perhaps New York and Las Vegas could talk themselves into a deal.

Wilson, 30, is widely considered the league's best player. She's on a supermax deal through 2028. Stewart, 32, remains a powerhouse on a slightly cheaper standard maximum contract for the next two seasons.

Right to Draft JuJu Watkins, More, for Olivia Miles

Houston Comets Get: Olivia Miles Minnesota Lynx receive: 2027 first-round pick, 2027 second-rounder, 2028 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick

While the first two suggested trades are star-for-star, this is an example of a team, the Houston Comets—the Connecticut Sun before rebranding and relocation—giving up nearly everything it has in draft compensation for one of the most exhilarating players to join the WNBA in years.

The Comets would still have cap room to flesh out their bench or even add a starter, with a projected starting lineup of Leila Lacan, Charlisse Leger-Walker, Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Aaliyah Edwards and Miles. The blockbuster acquisition would mark a bold WNBA return to Houston.

Miles has been a sensation this year, not only the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but also a legitimate MVP contender. Why would the Lynx let her go? In this absurd timeline, perhaps Miles fell in love with Texas during her time at TCU, wants to return, and Minnesota jumps at the opportunity to draft JuJu Watkins out of USC with lottery luck and the No. 1 overall pick, with the Comets slotted at No. 2 in the lottery.

Watkins, a 6'2" guard, projects to be the next sensation entering the league. Other possibilities if the pick doesn't hit No. 1 include Madison Booker (Texas), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), S'Mya Nichols (Kansas), and Mikaylah Williams (LSU). The Lynx also add several Houston firsts.

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Toronto Tempo Get: Dominique Malonga Seattle Storm Get: 2027 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick

The lottery will impact decisions this offseason. The Tempo ended the year slotted at No. 1 in the draft, and the chance at Watkins would scuttle this concept. A trade wouldn't happen until after the lottery; if Toronto gets the No. 2 selection, that may be enough compensation (along with 2028) to land one of the league's best centers.

Malonga was a force, but the Storm finished the season with a league-worst eight wins. Projected to draft No. 4, Seattle could land one of Booker, Hidalgo, Nichols, and Williams, and possibly Zhang Ziyu, the 7'4" Chinese center, to replace Malonga.

For Toronto, the top of the draft is guard- and wing-heavy, but the franchise needs real size to partner with Marina Mabrey, Kiki Rice and Brittney Sykes. While the Tempo aren't in a rush as an expansion team, they already have enough talent to push for a stronger 2028 campaign.

Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus .