WNBA roster cuts 2026: Tracking the most notable releases by team, from Hailey Van Lith to Marta Suarez

WNBA roster cuts 2026: Tracking the most notable releases by team, from Hailey Van Lith to Marta Suarez originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The WNBA's first tipoff always sneaks up on fans due to the little time between the Women's NCAA Tournament and the league's draft.

This year, the league's first tipoff falls on May 8, with the Connecticut Sun and New York Liberty scheduled to kick things off. No other sport moves this quickly from the draft to its regular season, and teams are forced to make quick decisions about their roster. The WNBA also added two expansion teams this year in the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.

With another couple of teams in the mix, the league could see a sizeable amount of roster movement as players are waived and relocated prior to the 2026 season beginning. Which WNBA players failed to make the cut in 2026? 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 8.

SN's WNBA HQ: Live WNBA scores | Updated WNBA standings | Full WNBA schedule What does it mean to be waived? Every WNBA team is required to cut down the size of its roster by the start of the regular season on May 8. Under the new collective bargaining agreement , teams are allowed an increased minimum roster size of 12 players, compared to the traditional 11 players, plus two more roster spots for developmental players, and salary cap exceptions for injured or pregnant players.