What is core designation in WNBA? Looking at its benefits & limits for teams & players

On Saturday, the WNBA's free agency began with the qualifying offer period. During this time, teams can assign core player designations and extend qualifying offers. This period runs from Jan. 11 through Jan. 20, and from the sounds of things, the Las Vegas Aces have wasted no time.

According to Underdog WNBA, the Aces have given Kelsey Plum a core player designation, meaning that despite the fact that Plum would have become a free agent, she is now essentially a restricted free agent.

When a WNBA franchise assigns a player core designation, it gives the team exclusive negotiating rights, which opens the door to qualifying offers. Alternatively, franchises can give a player core designation instead of signing a player directly to finalize a sign-and-trade with another team.

"Coring a player" also triggers a fully guaranteed one-year supermax contract, meaning that the Aces can use it to keep Plum for another year before what is expected to be a wild free-agency period.

As the WNBA's site indicates, when players receive a core designation, they can only negotiate a contract with that team. They aren't able to negotiate with other teams.

The concept of "coring a player" is familiar to the NFL. While in the W, players receive core designation, in the NFL, players receive a "franchise tag."

Looking at other players who could receive core designation before the start of the 2025 WNBA season

The Las Vegas Aces have assigned a core designation to Kelsey Plum, and several other teams around the league are expected to do the same for players approaching free agency.

On Thursday, Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally informed the franchise that she had played her last game in a Wings jersey. Although Sabally does not plan to return to Dallas, the team could assign her a core designation. It would give her a one-year guaranteed supermax deal to facilitate a sign-and-trade.

Additionally, Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell is expected to receive a core designation this offseason. Meanwhile, New York Liberty star Breanna Stewart is also likely to be designated as a core player soon, with the franchise having no intentions of trading her.