Unrestricted free agent Satou Sabally says she wants to move on from the Dallas Wings

Unrestricted free agent Satou Sabally has announced her departure from the Dallas Wings, where she has spent the initial five years of her professional career. Speaking to reporters in Miami on Thursday, the 26-year-old is recognized as one of the premier players as WNBA free agency approaches later this month. 

"I have expressed my gratitude to Dallas for making this place my home over the years, and I am collaborating with them to find my next opportunity," Sabally stated during a media session for the Unrivaled 3x3 league. "I have already played my final game in Dallas." This announcement follows the Wings' introduction of their new head coach, Chris Koclanes, a veteran WNBA assistant who succeeds Latricia Trammel after her two-year tenure. Additionally, Dallas has made significant changes to its front office this offseason by appointing former Los Angeles Sparks and Connecticut Sun coach Curt Miller as general manager.

The Wings will likely core Sabally -- who they selected No. 2 overall in the 2020 draft -- and trade her to her new destination. "Obviously at first, they were still trying [to keep me]," Sabally said of the Wings' reaction to the news. "But I think what is most effective is working with the player and listening to their wishes and hearing out how we can find a best solution for each other. So there was always great communication, more so on the agent-front now because I need to focus on Unrivaled, and I will, so I'm trusting the people that I have on my staff and the front office to solve that further."

The 6-foot-4 forward and so-called "unicorn" will be hitting true free agency for the first time in her career. She was a restricted free agent last year, coming off a 2023 campaign where she earned Most Improved Player and her first all-WNBA first team selection, when she re-signed with the franchise on a one-year deal.

"I'm excited for free agency," Sabally said. "I'm able to talk to a lot of players across the league because I have not played on a different team yet, and I'm excited to get to know them more on a personal level, but also knowing how they approach the game. And I just love having basketball conversations and high-level IQ conversations about the game to know where I will fit best in the future."

The two-time All-Star was asked whether she'd like to play with her younger sister, Nyara, who just won a championship with the New York Liberty. "Yeah, of course, in the future, I would love that," Sabally said.

Earlier Thursday, the Wings were asked about the prospect of bringing back Sabally but did not speak on specifics regarding her relationship with the team.

"You have to compliment Satou's career to this point," Miller said. "She, when healthy, is an elite player and is a difference-maker. ... We absolutely recognize the talent and what she means to and can impact this league."

This past summer Sabally was limited to 15 games for Dallas, who finished second-to-last in the standings, due to a shoulder injury that sidelined her until after the Olympic break. She was able to compete in Paris, though, helping Germany reach the quarterfinals in its first Olympic appearance.

Sabally boasts career averages of 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game but in her best season with the Wings averaged 18.6 points (shooting 36.1% from 3), 8.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game.