WNBA free agency opened on April 7th, with the final deadline for teams to place the Core designation, commonly known as the franchise tag, on eligible players, also on April 7th. Ten of the league’s fifteen franchises exercised that option, and the Seattle Storm made one of the most consequential decisions of the entire league: they tagged center Ezi Magbegor. It was the correct call, and it sets the Storm up for a future that could be far brighter than many fans currently realize.
What the Core Tag Actually Means
The Core tag functions similarly to a franchise tag in other professional leagues. Once applied, it prevents the tagged player from negotiating with any other team. It also guarantees the player the supermax salary of $1.4 million for the upcoming season, unless the player and team mutually agree to a different arrangement, typically a longer-term deal. It is a powerful tool for roster management, and teams may use it only once per contract cycle. If Seattle and Magbegor agree to a new multi-year extension, the Storm cannot use the Core tag again until that contract expires. The franchise learned this lesson firsthand when they tagged Jewell Loyd in 2022 and signed her to a two-year deal, leaving them unable to protect Breanna Stewart the following season, according to the Seattle Times.
Why Magbegor Was the Right Choice
The Storm faced a genuine decision. Gabby Williams and Brittney Sykes were both realistic candidates for the tag. But Magbegor represents something rare in professional basketball: a player who combines elite size, speed, and defensive IQ in a package that the league simply does not produce very often. She has earned a spot on the All-WNBA Defensive Team in four consecutive seasons, appearing on either the first or second team each time. In 2023, she was selected as an All-Star after posting roughly 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. She is 26 years old and has not yet reached her ceiling, according to StormchaserWNBA.
That combination of youth and upside is exactly what general manager Talisa Rhea had to protect. Players who move like Magbegor and defend at her level do not re-enter free agency very often. When they do, they are immediately claimed by the highest bidder. By placing the Core tag on her, Seattle ensures they retain a meaningful say in her future, whether that means locking her into a long-term deal in Seattle or leveraging her value in a sign-and-trade if circumstances change.
A Frontcourt Built for the Future
The most compelling argument for protecting Magbegor is what she could represent alongside Dominique Malonga. Malonga was selected second overall in last year’s draft, and she will play the entire 2026 WNBA season at just 20 years old. The prospect of pairing her with Magbegor gives Seattle a frontcourt that could anchor the franchise for the better part of a decade. Both players have the size and athleticism to be perennial All-Stars. Both are on the right side of 27. And both represent the kind of foundational pieces that championship teams are built around.
This is no small thing in a league where players of Magbegor and Malonga’s physical profile are increasingly scarce. The 2026 draft may produce another player in that mold, Awa Fam is projected by some to go first overall, but finding two of them on the same roster, at the same time, in their mid-to-late twenties, is genuinely uncommon. Letting Magbegor walk would undermine everything the franchise is trying to build alongside Malonga.
Trade Scenarios Remain on the Table
Placing the Core tag on a player does not guarantee that she will stay. The Storm know this better than most; they tagged Natasha Howard in 2021 and then traded her to the New York Liberty, eventually netting the rights that would become Gabby Williams. A similar path remains available with Magbegor. Potential trade partners could include the Toronto Tempo or the expansion Portland Fire, both of whom hold early picks in the upcoming draft. Any package involving Magbegor would need to return significant value, likely a top-six pick or a future first-rounder from a team with lottery potential.
Core-for-core swaps have also been floated, with Arike Ogunbowale of the Dallas Wings and Marina Mabrey of the Toronto Tempo representing two names that have come up in conversations. Neither move would be ideal. Magbegor’s value on both ends of the floor is difficult to replicate. But if she were to push for a trade, having the Core tag in place ensures Seattle does not walk away empty-handed.
The Bigger Picture for Seattle
Even without Skylar Diggins or Nneka Ogwumike, both of whom face uncertain futures with the franchise, the Storm are in a stronger position than their recent results might suggest. If Magbegor stays, they have a dominant defensive big woman who can score. If Gabby Williams re-signs, they have an All-Star caliber wing alongside her. Add Jordan Horston’s continued development, the third overall pick in the upcoming draft, and Malonga’s emerging game, and the core of a contender is taking shape.
General Manager Talisa Rhea made the right call. The Core tag on Ezi Magbegor is not just a procedural move; it is a statement about what kind of team the Storm intend to become. Whether Magbegor ends up in a Storm uniform on opening night or becomes the centerpiece of a franchise-altering trade, Seattle is in the driver’s seat. That is exactly where they need to be.
