The Seattle Storm have designated Gabby Williams as their core player, meaning she will not become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Teams have until Jan. 20 -- the day before players and teams can begin negotiating -- to extend core designations to eligible players.

Oct 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of game three of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Gabby Williams will reportedly not become an unrestricted free agent, and the Storm will use their core designation on the sixth-year forward.

New York's Breanna Stewart was one of a handful of players given the franchise tag by their WNBA teams, meaning they can't sign a contract directly with anyone else. Other players receiving the franchise player designation include Kelsey Plum (Las Vegas),

The Seattle Storm have officially designated Gabby Williams as their core player ... Williams with other notable WNBA players like Kelsey Plum, Satou Sabally, and Breanna Stewart, who have ...

Williams, widely considered one of the sport’s elite defenders, signed with the Storm mid-season after spending the first half of the season with the French national team, which culminated in an Olympic silver medal. In 12 games with the Storm, she averaged a career-high 10.3 points, as well as 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Likely dictated by the decisions of Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams, the Storm's free-agency moves will likely have a long-term impact on the franchise.

The Seattle Storm designated forward Gabby Williams as a core player on Tuesday, ensuring she will not become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

The mastermind behind much of Las Vegas' sensational back-to-back titles run (general manager Natalie Williams) is out. With her departure, many key pieces, including Kelsey Plum, might not stay.

With her departure, many key pieces, including Kelsey Plum, might not stay ... Background: Here's a move we didn't see coming: Gabby Williams is (potentially) staying in the W with Seattle.

It’s been nearly a week since the Aces extended a core qualifying offer to Kelsey Plum ... offer to international star forward Gabby Williams. If she takes the supermax deal, the team wouldn ...

The WNBA's Connecticut Sun put a core designation on free agent star Alyssa Thomas, but the veteran cold still demand a trade.