“It’s always hard. I mean, this is the worst part of the job,” said Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White after being forced to make tough cuts ahead of the new WNBA season. “We always wish there were more roster spots… so we can have some of those development positions. But we also know it’s part of it, and it s—-.”
Her words hit home for many. After the conclusion of the 2025 WNBA Draft, 38 players took a major step toward their dream. But as always, the reality hit fast-making a final roster is a whole different battle. And for nearly half of those drafted, the uphill climb was real. The competition? Ruthless. The spots? Limited. And just like that, several talented young stars found themselves without a franchise. Something for Cathy Engelbert to ponder.
Even with the Golden State Valkyries joining as the 13th team this year, the WNBA remains one of the smallest pro leagues in the U.S. And that means one thing– the competition is brutal. Rookies aren’t just fighting other rookies. They’re going head-to-head with seasoned veterans, players with years of experience and proven resumes. So, it’s no surprise that many don’t make the cut. The talent is there, but the numbers? Just too tight.
Some big names didn’t make it past the WNBA roster cuts this year. One of the earliest shockers? Shyanne Sellers. The Maryland guard and 17th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft was waived by the Golden State Valkyries on May 3. A short time later, she landed with the Atlanta Dream—an organization reshaping its identity this offseason. But the opportunity didn’t last. Sellers was waived again on May 12.
expand the rosters immediately!!
— iman, the scorpio. (@imantheescorpio) May 12, 2025
Then came Bree Hall. The Indiana Fever let go of the South Carolina product on May 5. Hall, a two-time NCAA champion, had been selected 20th overall. Still, even her pedigree couldn’t guarantee a spot. And on May 7, it was Harmoni Turner’s turn. The Ivy League Player of the Year out of Harvard was waived by the Las Vegas Aces. Turner was selected 35th overall, but with stacked rosters and limited spots, even fan favorites aren’t safe.
But the biggest surprise of them all? The Las Vegas Aces waiving Deja Kelly. Kelly dropped 24 points in just 20 minutes of preseason action. That’s not easy to ignore. Unlike some of the other cuts, this one stung for fans. They didn’t hold back either–social media lit up with confusion and frustration. Let’s take a look at some of those reactions.
Calls mount as fans demand change
Fans aren’t staying quiet. They’ve had enough of the tight roster restrictions–and they’re making it known. “Expand the rosters immediately!!” one fan demanded online. Another joined in with even more heat, “Cathy is so unserious, bruh. 44 games and only 12 roster spots, she’s going to h—.”
There are only 156 total roster spots in the entire WNBA. That’s it. With 13 teams and each allowed a maximum of just 12 players and a minimum of 11 players, the space for a roster spot is always tight. But blaming the commissioner for everything? Not exactly fair. As one fan pointed out, “Yea bc roster size is all her doing lol.”
And honestly, they’ve got a point. Cathy Engelbert has made moves. She added a whole new franchise this year, bumping roster spots from 144 to 156. And that’s not the end–plans are already in place to expand to 16 teams by 2028. That means 48 more roster spots in the next few years.
One fan summed it up perfectly: “Ain’t no way… The WNBA needs more teams because this is getting ridiculous.” Well, they’re about to get their wish. Expansion is officially in motion. The Golden State Valkyries will debut this upcoming season. Then comes the Toronto Tempo and Portland, both set to join the league in 2026. But wait–there’s more. The WNBA also plans to add a 16th franchise by 2028. And the interest? It’s massive. Multiple groups have already placed bids. One of them even includes WNBA legend Candace Parker. So yes, things are changing. Slowly, but surely.
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