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…
