The WNBA could very well be considered the most turbulent among North America's major professional sports leagues.
With just 12 teams and 12 roster spots each, there are precious few spots — 144, to be exact — up for grabs. Such roster constraints can squeeze out veteran players and rookies alike.
Relief is coming in the form of expansion — two franchises, Golden State and Toronto, are poised to join the WNBA in the next two seasons. But that doesn't help players fighting for roster spots ahead of the 2024 season, including the 36 draft picks selected in April.
Which WNBA players failed to make the cut in 2024? The Sporting News details the rookies on opening day rosters, as well as the players who fell just short before the season tips off on May 14.
MORE: Explaining the WNBA roster squeeze — and what it means for 2024
What does it mean to be waived?
All WNBA teams must finalize their rosters by May 13, with a maximum of 12 players and a minimum of 11 players. The regular season tips off on May 14.
To do so, teams must cut players from their rosters — and that means putting players through the waiver process.
When a player is waived, the team removes her from the roster and is placed on the waiver wire. In the ensuing 48 hours, other teams are able to claim a player's contract. If multiple teams submit a claim, then the league will award the contract to the team with the highest waiver priority.
If no team claims the player, then she is considered to have cleared and becomes an unrestricted free agent. She will then be able to negotiate and sign a new contract with any team.
MORE: Breaking down the details, timeline for WNBA expansion
Which 2024 WNBA Draft picks appear on opening day rosters?
Just 13 of the 36 picks from the 2024 WNBA Draft appear on rosters as of May 12, per the official transactions page.
Not all the players left off the opening day rosters were waived by their teams. First-round picks Carla Leite and Leila Lacan, both from France, were draft-and-stash picks by the Wings and Sun, respectively, while Aces second-round pick Liz Kitley is out for the season as she recovers from a torn ACL.
First round
- 1. Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
- 2. Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks
- 3. Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
- 4. Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
- 5. Jacy Sheldon, Dallas Wings
- 6. Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
- 7. Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
- 8. Alissa Pili, Minnesota Lynx
- 11. Marquesha Davis, New York Liberty
Second round
- 14. Nika Muhl, Seattle Storm
- 15. Celeste Taylor, Indiana Fever
- 16. Dyaisha Fair, Las Vegas Aces
- 18. Kate Martin, Las Vegas Aces
In 2023, 15 of 36 draft picks appeared on opening day rosters — with Alexis Morris, a member of LSU's national championship team, among the prominent cuts. Ahead of the 2024 season, 14 players from the 2023 draft appear on rosters.
MORE: Will Iowa's Kate Martin make Las Vegas Aces roster?
WNBA players waived before 2024 season, by team
The 2024 WNBA preseason began on May 3. Teams' final opening day rosters are due into the league office by 5 p.m. ET Monday, May 13.
The regular season will tip off Tuesday, May 14, with four games: Liberty vs. Mystics, Fever vs. Sun, Mercury vs. Aces and Lynx vs. Storm.
Here's a full list of the players waived since May 1. Players in bold were selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft:
Atlanta Dream
- Elizabeth Balogun
- Khadijiah Cave
- Taj Cole
- Destanni Henderson
- Khaalia Hillsman
Chicago Sky
- Taya Reimer
- Brynna Maxwell
Connecticut Sun
- Leigha Brown
- Rennia Davis
- Taiyanna Jackson
- Shey Peddy
- Helena Pueyo
- Kianna Smith
- Sydney Wiese
- Jocelyn Willoughby
Dallas Wings
- Veronica Burton
- Emma Cannon
- Ashley Owusu
- Katrina Pardee
Indiana Fever
- Maya Caldwell
- Leilani Correa
Las Vegas Aces
- Brea Beal
- Bria Hartley
- Angel Jackson
- Morgan Jones
- Kamaria McDaniel
Los Angeles Sparks
- Nia Clouden
- Blake Dietrick
- McKenzie Forbes
- Taylor Mikesell
- Monique Billings
Minnesota Lynx
- Mimi Collins
- Ruthy Hebard
- Kiki Jefferson
- Jaime Nared
- Quinesha Lockett
- Camryn Taylor
- Kayana Traylor
New York Liberty
- Okako Adika
- Jessika Carter
- Brianna Fraser
- Rita Igbokwe
- Stephanie Mawuli
- Esmery Martinez
- Jaylyn Sherrod
Phoenix Mercury
- Amy Atwell
- Ariel Hearn
- Mya Hollingshed
- Bella Murekatete
- Charisma Osborne
- Jaz Shelley
- Christyn Williams
Seattle Storm
- Alaina Coates
- Kaela Davis
- Quay Miller
- Joyner Holmes
Washington Mystics
- Jakia Brown-Turner
- Elissa Cunane
- Honesty Scott-Grayson
- Kaylynne Truong