Oct 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of game three of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Seattle Storm have designated Gabby Williams as their core player, meaning she will not become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Teams have until Jan. 20 -- the day before players and teams can begin negotiating -- to extend core designations to eligible players.

WNBA free agency has opened. With a new CBA expected to come into effect in 2026, expect to see players sign only one-year deals.

Gabby Williams will reportedly not become an unrestricted free agent, and the Storm will use their core designation on the sixth-year forward.

The WNBA offseason enters its second stage today. After 10 days of extending qualifying offers to retain the rights of their own free agents, teams are now allowed to negotiate with everyone. Contracts cannot officially be finalized until Feb. 1, but deals will be agreed upon before then, if not signed on the dotted line.

New York's Breanna Stewart was one of a handful of players given the franchise tag by their WNBA teams, meaning they can't sign a contract directly with anyone else. Other players receiving the franchise player designation include Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas),

It’s been nearly a week since the Aces extended a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Plum ... offer to international star forward Gabby Williams. If she takes the supermax deal, the team wouldn ...

The Seattle Storm have officially designated Gabby Williams as their core player ... Williams with other notable WNBA players like Kelsey Plum, Satou Sabally, and Breanna Stewart, who have ...

The next few weeks, particularly the decisions of Storm free agents Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams ... former Washington Huskies standout Kelsey Plum, Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, Kelsey ...

Turns out, Gabby Williams will not become an unrestricted ... Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum and Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally who have the designation this year. Wiliams, who was voted ...

Likely dictated by the decisions of Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams, the Storm's free-agency moves will likely have a long-term impact on the franchise.

WNBA executives have flocked to Miami for the start of free agency, hoping to open conversations with players taking part in the new Unrivaled league.