New

The Mystics Do Not Core Anyone, Which Is No Surprise

WASHINGTON, D.C. - AUGUST 13: Jacy Sheldon #4 of the Washington Mystics shoots the ball during the game against the Golden State Valkyries on August 13, 2025 at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Currently, WNBA teams, including the Washington Mystics are negotiating with free agents who may be interested in coming to their team. One of the key things that remains in teams’ hands is whether to give the core player designation on one player. According to Alexa Philippou of ESPN, most teams have, but the Mystics appear not to have done that.

Players who have been cored by their teams:

Atlanta: Allisha Gray
Chicago: Ariel Atkins
Dallas: Arike Ogunbowale
Indiana: Kelsey Mitchell
LA: Kelsey Plum
Minnesota: Napheesa Collier
NY: Sabrina Ionescu
Portland: Bridget Carleton
Seattle: Ezi Magbegor
Toronto: Marina Mabrey
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 7, 2026

This is not particularly surprising. According to Sportrac, the 2025 Mystics roster at the end of the season had two players with cap hits above $100,000: Alysha Clark and Stefanie Dolson. However, both Clark and Dolson are longtime veterans and wouldn’t be able to be cored. The remaining players are primarily on rookie scale contracts.

What this means is that the Mystics are in prime position to spend on free agents though they can’t give a supermax salary. They have over $5 million in cap space out of a $7 million salary cap. Remember, the Mystics, EVEN IF THEY CHOOSE TO …. deconstruct like the Wizards … HAVE TO PAY SOME PLAYER a big salary, likely at around $1 million.

Also, out of their cap space, some of these players will be used on their three first round picks (No. 4, No. 9, No. 11) and there’s a good chance that their second round picks (No. 19, No. 30) could ALL make the roster. If that happens, there will still be cap room to sign a free agent or two at a very large salary.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Back to Listing

credit:

The Mystics Do Not Core Anyone, Which Is No Surprise

Popular Products