Alexa Philippou
Multiple Authors
Two-time WNBA All-Star Courtney Williams is returning to the Minnesota Lynx on a two-year max deal, her agent, Marcus Crenshaw of The FAM Sports Agency, informed ESPN on Sunday.
Five-time All-Star Kayla McBride is also returning to the Lynx, agreeing to a two-year, decrease max wage, her agent, Ticha Penicheiro of Priority Sports, informed ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
Also Sunday, the Lynx agreed to signal two-time All-Star Natasha Howard to a two-year, $1.4 million deal, sources informed Shelburne.
Williams, some of the environment friendly midrange shooters within the WNBA, averaged 13.6 factors, 6.2 assists and 4.9 rebounds per sport with the Lynx final season.
The 5-foot-8 level guard has been an important contributor to the Lynx’s latest success. Williams, 31, helped Minnesota attain the WNBA Finals in 2024 and performed a key function within the Lynx securing the No. 1 seed within the playoffs final yr. She is acknowledged as a member of the dynamic “StudBudz” duo with Natisha Hiedeman after their livestreams went viral final season.
McBride, a 12-year veteran, averaged 14.2 factors per sport and shot 39.5% from 3-point vary final season. She completed the season ranked second within the league in 3-pointers made (103).
She had a historic capturing efficiency throughout the Lynx’s 53-point victory over the New York Liberty in August. McBride tied a WNBA document by making eight 3-pointers within the first half with out lacking a shot.
In the postseason, McBride delivered a standout efficiency in a Game 4 semifinal loss to the Phoenix Mercury. She scored a playoff-career-high 31 factors, highlighted by her six 3-pointers within the second half that matched a postseason document.
Howard, 34, is returning to Minnesota, the place she gained a title in 2017, after beginning all 44 video games for the Indiana Fever final season. She averaged 11.4 factors on 55.2% capturing, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals and was the MVP of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Williams, after being chosen eighth general in 2016 out of South Florida by the Mercury, went on to play for the Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky. Following a standout season with Chicago in 2023, she initially signed a two-year take care of Minnesota in 2024.
McBride, 33, was taken third general by San Antonio/Las Vegas within the 2014 draft and earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team in her debut season.
After seven seasons with San Antonio/Las Vegas, she signed a multiyear contract with Minnesota as a free agent in 2021.
She has 722 profession 3-pointers, which ranks seventh all time within the WNBA.
The returns of Williams and McBride mark the primary recognized strikes the Lynx have made in free company. They have misplaced a slew of gamers from their 2025 staff to date, together with Bridget Carleton (growth draft), Alanna Smith, Hiedeman and Jessica Shepard.
The well being standing of MVP candidate Napheesa Collier is up within the air after she underwent surgical procedure on each ankles this offseason. It was introduced in January that she was anticipated to miss 4 to six months.
