Sources: Collier back to Lynx on supermax deal

Napheesa Collier has signed a one-year, $1.4 million supermax contract to return to the Minnesota Lynx, securing the star forward’s presence for the upcoming WNBA season. The Lynx announced the deal without disclosing terms, but sources confirmed the details. Collier, who has been a cornerstone of the franchise since being drafted in 2019, recently completed a historic 50/40/90 shooting season and helped lead the Lynx to their best regular-season record in franchise history. Despite an injury-shortened playoff run, the team remains optimistic about their championship prospects with Collier back in the fold. Collier’s contract makes her the third WNBA player to sign a supermax deal, joining Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. The Lynx designated Collier as a “core” player, a mechanism similar to the NFL’s franchise tag, which allowed them to retain exclusive negotiation rights until the deadline. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, Collier will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 and will no longer be eligible for the core designation. At 29, Collier has established herself as one of the league’s premier talents, finishing second in MVP voting for two consecutive years and becoming the first player to average over 20 points while shooting 50% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line. Collier’s 2025 campaign was hampered by ankle injuries that caused her to miss several games late in the season and ultimately ended her playoff run. She underwent surgery on both ankles in January, with an expected recovery time of four to six months. Despite this setback, the Lynx have retained their best player amid significant roster changes, including the departures of Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith, and DiJonai Carrington. The team has re-signed key contributors Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, and added promising rookie Olivia Miles with the No. 2 overall pick in the recent draft, positioning themselves for a strong push in the 2026 season.