WNBA trade rumors: Fever target Satou Sabally accepts $249,244 move ahead of imminent Wings departure

Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally is set to become a highly coveted free agent after she received and accepted the team's core designation. On Monday, ESPN's Alexa Philippou claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the Wings would officially core her today.

The core designation would enable the Wings to trade Sabally and receive compensation rather than lose her without return. Satou Sabally is reportedly gaining interest from the Indiana Fever and is expected to receive a supermax contract, reportedly around $249,244, the maximum salary allowed under the league's collective bargaining agreement.

"Expect the Dallas Wings to officially core Satou Sabally today," Philippou said on X. "Sabally has already announced she has played her final game for Dallas, and that she and the Wings are looking to find her a new home. She joins Vegas' Kelsey Plum as stars who've been cored by their teams so far."

Sabally announced her decision to move on from the Wings during a media availability for the Unrivaled 3x3 league. She disclosed on Thursday that she had played her "last game in Dallas" and had communicated her wishes to the franchise.

The Wings drafted the forward with the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft and this will be her first real free agency. She was a restricted free agent and signed a one-year extension worth $195,000 with Dallas in January 2024.

Last season with the Wings, Sabally averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 15 games.

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What's next for Satou Sabally as the WNBA trade season arrives?

Satou Sabally will be among the top players on most franchises's lists to add to their roster. Rumors are flying around that she could be headed to the Indiana Fever in exchange for NaLyssa Smith.

IndyStar's Chloe Peterson detailed her potential move to join Catlin Clark on the Fever. For the deal to work, the Fever will have to part ways with Smith, who signed a three-year $226,668 contract with the Fever in 2022.

Forward Satou Sabally #0 of the Dallas Wings takes a shot against Caitlin Clark #22 and NaLyssa Smith #1 of the Indiana Fever during a WNBA game. (Credits: Getty)

Aside from the Fever, the New York Liberty is also seen as another potential destination. If that works, she will team up with former Oregon teammate Sabrina Ionescu, who also happens to be her teammate on the Phantom Basketball Club of the Unrivaled.