Napheesa Collier signs $1.4M supermax deal to stay with Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier has officially committed her future to the Minnesota Lynx, signing a one-year, $1.4 million supermax contract that keeps the franchise cornerstone in Minneapolis. The deal was announced Thursday night, cementing Collier’s status as one of the WNBA‘s elite players following a remarkable 2025 campaign.

The 29-year-old forward becomes just the third player in WNBA history to secure a supermax deal, joining Kelsey Mitchell of the Indiana Fever and A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. Collier had been « cored » by the Lynx last week, a designation similar to the NFL’s franchise tag, giving the team exclusive negotiation rights until Friday’s deadline.

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A historic season despite injury setbacks

Collier’s 2025 season was nothing short of spectacular, as she averaged 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting an incredible 53.1% from the floor, 40.3% from 3-point range, and 90.6% from the free throw line. This remarkable shooting performance made her only the second player in league history to achieve the coveted 50/40/90 club, joining Elena Delle Donne.

« Phee has been such an integral part of the Lynx since she was drafted in 2019, » said Cheryl Reeve, Minnesota’s coach and president of basketball operations. « Coming off a historic 50/40/90 season and guiding the Lynx to the most wins in franchise history, Phee is hungry to position the Lynx for a championship run in 2026. »

Despite her outstanding regular season performance, Collier finished second in MVP voting for the second consecutive year, losing out to Wilson. Her campaign was hampered by ankle injuries that cost her seven games in August, and a left ankle injury in Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals ultimately ended her season as the Lynx fell to the Phoenix Mercury in five games.

The timing of Collier’s return remains uncertain, as she underwent surgery on both ankles in January and is expected to miss four to six months according to Unrivaled. However, her commitment ensures the Lynx retain their best player amid significant roster turnover, having lost Bridget Carleton to the expansion draft and several key contributors in free agency, while adding Olivia Miles with the No. 2 draft pick.