Napheesa Collier Signs One-Year Supermax Contract with Minnesota Lynx
Napheesa Collier has agreed to a one-year, $1.4 million supermax deal to remain with the Minnesota Lynx, according to sources. The team announced the signing without disclosing terms. Collier, who finished second in MVP voting in 2025, is expected to miss time at the start of the 2026 season due to ankle surgeries.
espn.com4 million to return to the Minnesota Lynx, sources told ESPN. The Lynx announced the signing on Thursday but did not release the financial details.
Contract
Details Collier was designated as a core player by the Lynx last week, similar to the NFL's franchise tag.
This provided a fully guaranteed one-year supermax offer, with negotiation possible until Friday. Even if the offer expired, the Lynx would retain exclusive negotiation rights. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, Collier will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 and cannot be cored again.
Performance and Injuries Collier, 29, averaged 22.
3 rebounds per game in 2025, finishing second in MVP voting for the second consecutive year. 6% from the free throw line while averaging over 20 points. Collier missed seven games in August 2025 due to a right ankle injury and suffered a left ankle injury in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals, ending her season.
In January 2026, Unrivaled announced Collier would be sidelined for four to six months following surgeries on both ankles.
Team
Context The Lynx achieved their best regular-season record in 2025 but lost in the semifinals to the Phoenix Mercury in five games.
The team lost several players, including Bridget Carleton to the Portland Fire in the expansion draft, and Natisha Hiedeman, Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith, and DiJonai Carrington in free agency. The Lynx re-signed Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride and selected Olivia Miles with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft.
League
Comparisons Collier is the third WNBA player to sign a supermax deal, following Kelsey Mitchell's one-year contract with the Indiana Fever and A'ja Wilson's three-year agreement with the Las Vegas Aces.
Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx's coach and president of basketball operations, stated that Collier has been integral to the team since her 2019 draft. Reeve added that Collier aims to position the Lynx for a championship in 2026.
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-04-16
Napheesa Collier signed a one-year supermax contract with the Minnesota Lynx.
1 sourceESPN - Last week
The Lynx designated Collier as a core player.
1 sourceESPN - January 2026
Unrivaled announced Collier would miss four to six months after ankle surgeries.
1 sourceESPN - 2025 season
Collier finished second in MVP voting and achieved a 50-40-90 shooting split.
1 sourceESPN - 2019
Collier was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx.
1 sourceESPN
Potential Impact
- 01
The Lynx retain their top player, potentially improving their 2026 championship chances despite early-season absence.
- 02
Collier's unrestricted status in 2027 could lead to competitive bidding from multiple teams.
- 03
Collier's return could stabilize the team after losing several key contributors in free agency and expansion draft.
- 04
The Lynx's draft pick and re-signings may enhance roster depth around Collier upon her return.
- 05
Other WNBA teams may adjust free agency strategies following this supermax signing trend.
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