Roster spots are hard to come by in the WNBA, which makes securing a place in the 12-team league one of the most competitive feats in sports. Even first-round draft picks have difficulty sticking it out, with top talent often slipping through the cracks.
There is a maximum of 144 roster spots league-wide (12 per team), offering limited opportunity for players to find a home. WNBA expansion, a move that has the vocal support of many players and coaches, has been offered as a solution to these heartbreaking cuts, adding more spots to a cutthroat league. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, however, has not provided a concrete timeline for adding teams but has assured that the league is in the process of doing so in the coming years, narrowing the search to 10 potential markets.
With expansion kicked down the road, front offices across the WNBA must make tough decisions in the here and now. The 2023 preseason, much like recent years, saw plenty of skilled athletes cut. Considering the level of talent left on the cutting room floor, here is Sports Illustrated’s superteam of waived players.
