Napheesa Collier's first comments after the shock playoff exit to New York were to double down on her love for the Lynx. Her "I love it here" may have been a massive indicator, but head coach Cheryl Reeve's exit interview comments have led to choice
becoming a key factor in Phee's free agency decision.
"Sometimes you stay, and sometimes you go because maybe there's something I don't want to say better, but maybe better for her, and that's something that I respect… Whatever she decides, we're both going to be okay," said Reeve.
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Following those comments, WNBA analyst and writer Sabreena Merchant has added to that take, arguing that Collier may seriously consider parting ways with the Lynx.
"She never chose to play there, right? She was drafted to the Minnesota Lynx. She had to sign a rookie extension because you don't get to move before, you know, at the end of your rookie contract, and she was cored. It's not like she's ever been an unrestricted free agent and been able to choose exactly where she wants to play… It's obviously a great place to play, but it was never explicitly her choice," said Merchant.
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Collier signed her first multi-year contract extension with the Lynx in 2022, and while the team didn't release the specifics of that deal, despite Merchant's take, the former Rookie of the Year expressed her excitement about representing the Lynx.
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"I'm excited to extend my career in Minnesota and to continue working toward a championship. I look forward to joining my teammates and coaching staff for years to come."
Reeve said she would respect Collier's decision whether she wants to stay or not. However, Merchant argued that while Collier won the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year and other accolades with Minnesota, the First Vice President of the WNBPA has also worked hard to ensure players get the option to become free agents earlier in their careers.
This time around, the rise of Olivia Miles may play a key role in Collier's decision. The Lynx forward, though, does have a good reason to remain with the team that she has helped shape into frequent WNBA Championship contenders, especially under Cheryl Reeve's guidance.
On the flip side, she also highlighted how Reeve has "rehabilitated" Alanna Smith's career before she joined the Dallas Wings this season, and helped Kayla McBride grow as a player even more than in her first three seasons with the Las Vegas Aces.
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On the same lines, Napheesa Collier hasn't hinted that she's ready to leave the Lynx as soon as her free agency kicks in. During her exit interview, Collier revealed that she hadn't given it much thought.
Collier may take time to make her decision, as during her exit interview Collier told reporters that she was still processing her side getting swept by the New York Liberty in a shocking turn of events. After all, despite finishing the 2026 season at the top of the standings with a 33-11 record, they lost back-to-back clashes in their three-game first-round series.
The Liberty beat the Lynx 91-75 and 87-71, becoming the first eighth seed team in WNBA history to eliminate the first seed in the first round of the playoffs.
"I haven't even thought about that. We lost less than 48 hours ago, and I don't think, we didn't expect to be here. So I really haven't had any time to decompress or anything like that."
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"I can tell you, I love it here. I love the organization. I love it here. I love the organization,"
With that context, it's not surprising to see why Reeve said she would respect Collier's decision. In fact, the forward's teammates also seem to be supporting the five-time All-Star no matter which direction she takes.
"I just want her to choose her. That's the biggest thing for me now: As a friend, as a sister, I just want her to be good," McBride told reporters last Thursday.
Just before the season, the Minnesota Lynx had dealt with a mass free agency exodus with Alanna Smith, Jessica Shepard, Natisha Hiedeman, DiJonai Carrington and others opting for free agency instead of re-signing with the team.
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So, Napheesa Collier signing a one-year $1.4 million supermax contract in April 2026 may also be fueling speculation of her leaving the organization right now. Yet, the former DPOY gave another hint that she may not be gearing up to leave the organization just yet.
When asked about whether she believes Minnesota needs to improve next year, she was confident that Coach Reeve has everything they need to figure out exactly where they've gone wrong with playoff exits despite league-leading seasons.
"I have every confidence that Cheryl's the best coach. She's going to figure that part out… We're all just going to try to get better, build our game, making sure that we're coming back in the best headspace physically, mentally, skill-wise, all those things to make sure that the outcome is different"
However, whether Napheesa Collier will be part of the Lynx when we get back to the drawing board remains to be seen.
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The post "Never Explicitly Her Choice": WNBA Analyst Adds to Napheesa Collier Speculation After Cheryl Reeve's Remarks Raise Questions About Her Future With Lynx
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