Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts talks unusual WNBA offseason
After the WNBA CBA was signed in March, it launched a sprint for the Phoenix Mercury before training camp begins on April 19.
Nate Tibbetts might be one of the assistant coaches for Team USA’s three-day training camp at Mountain America Performance Center, but in a few weeks, he’ll be meeting a revamped Mercury team. With the new WNBA collective bargaining agreement signed in March, the league’s 30 th season will start on schedule on May 8. But teams will have a condensed schedule and an expansion draft before training camp begins on April 19.
“It’s going to be a quick turnaround for all of us,” Tibbetts said. “We’re not in a special situation. Every team is going through what we’re going through.
I’m excited, we got a CBA signed. I think the owners are happy, and I hope our players are happy. I know the support staff is excited the season is going to start on time.
” The expansion draft will be held on Friday, April 3, followed by the free agency window on April 7-8, and the WNBA draft on April 13. While the gap between the Women’s Final Four and the WNBA draft is the same as in years past, the free agency period has significantly changed, shrinking from three weeks to five days. And with over 100 free agents, the general managers around the league and the players’ agents will be busy during that short window.