Napheesa Collier’s return to the Minnesota Lynx wasn’t meant to be a surprise, but when it actually happened, it did turn some heads. With her stellar contributions for the franchise, it was quite certain that the Lynx would retain their 5-time All-Star. The franchise roped her for a $1.4M supermax salary, quite deserving for a player of her stature. But the caveat lies in the contract’s tenure: just a one-year contract, making her an unrestricted free agent next season and blurring her long-term future prospects with the franchise. Now, ahead of the season tip-off, Collier has shared her two cents in this regard.
Speaking in a recent interview with NPR, Collier shed light on this. Although she didn’t clearly establish what her future can seemingly look like in the franchise next season. But it’s quite understandable that she is keeping those thoughts in the backseat as she recovers from the two ankle surgeries she went through in the offseason after she tore three ligaments in her ankle.
“I am so focused on the now. Like I just came off two surgeries,” Collier said. “I’m trying to get back on the court, and this was such a whirlwind we had with the CBA going on, and like all these things, everything was happening so fast. I just wanted to be able to focus on getting on the court with my team this year and win a Championship.”
Being the franchise cornerstone of the Minnesota Lynx, it was expected that the Lynx would hold her off to a long-term deal to ensure their future. We saw that the Las Vegas Aces did it with A’ja Wilson, and the NY Liberty does it with Breanna Stewart, both signing three-year contracts with these teams. But in the case of Phee, it was different, and that immediately raises a question: Is Collier looking for any other opportunity outside Minnesota next season?
For Collier, she isn’t thinking of it for now. “I mean, of course, there’s new opportunities every year and every time you get off your contract, there’s opportunities,” Collier added further. “But that’s again like so far in the future for me. We haven’t even started game one of this year, and that’s not even something I’m thinking about.”
For a seven-year veteran like Napheesa Collier, jumping onto a new team won’t even be a problem. Her performances, boasting 20+ ppg seasons in the last three seasons, speak for themselves. Furthermore, her acumen as a firm defensive presence near the paint is why many franchises are willing to break the bank to get Collier on their roster.
The financial side of it doesn’t hinder Collier in Minnesota as well. She’s getting a supermax salary in this team as well. But whether she wants to make a shift and chase her dreams with any other team, it’s a decision that she will have to make next season, when her one-year supermax contract with the team expires.
But it’s a discussion that Collier isn’t even thinking of now as she’s just looking to chase her goals with the team, which is to get back on the court as soon as possible and help the team win silverware. This is a stance Collier has maintained since she put pen to paper on her Minnesota contract. Speaking at the first press conference of the season. Collier didn’t explicitly mention her future with Lynx, remarking that she’s focusing on the intangibles.
“I’m so focused on right now with my injury this year and winning a Championship,” she said. “This is what I’m doing. So, getting back with our amazing staff, playing with our amazing players, and just focus on this year and winning.”
Despite her short-term contract, getting back Napheesa Collier for this season enhances the Minnesota Lynx’s ceiling for now. With a lot of young players on the roster, such as Olivia Miles, Collier can serve as a mentor, grooming them to meet the standards required to play in a historic program like the Minnesota Lynx.
The on-court side of it is, of course, a positive that will bring balance and a sense of leadership to the team. But on an individual aspect as well, Collier has some unfinished business with this team.
Napheesa Collier Clearly Denies Any Pressure Associated With Her Immediate Goals With Minnesota Lynx
In the interview with NPR, the Minnesota veteran clearly stated her reasons to win the coveted WNBA title with the Lynx. “I mean for me my biggest goal is to win a Championship,” Collier said. “Like that is something I haven’t achieved yet. That is the reason you play, it’s to win.” On paper, this might be a full-circle moment for Napheesa Collier. After all, winning a Championship for the franchise where she started her WNBA career will, of course, be a special moment. But this heartworming success story won’t come easy.
Historically, the Minnesota Lynx is one of the most successful franchises in the league with 4 WNBA titles. But their last silverware came way back in 2017, two years before Collier entered the scene. Now, playing for such a successful franchise does lead to consistent expectations of winning the title, which Collier and team haven’t been able to crack in this dominant era of the Las Vegas Aces.
Although the Lynx came agonizingly close in 2024, losing out to the NY Liberty in the finals (2-3), the final leap is still missing. In a follow-up question in the interview, Collier was also asked if she feels the burden of always striving for a Championship in such a historically successful program. But for Collier, this pressure doesn’t matter, as she feels there are many individuals with Championship-winning experience in the team.
“I mean, not the weight so much as just I want it for me and my teammates as well,” she added in this regard. “You are surrounded by people who not only know what’s possible, but know the path to get there. So, I feel really lucky in that. And my coach and our assistant coaches they’ve all won. So, they know the formula.”
With her one-year contract, Napheesa Collier’s future with the Minnesota Lynx isn’t certain next season. Thus, the 2026 one can possibly be a make-or-break for her Championship aspirations. It’s just a matter of time till we see Collier dominating the frontcourt for the Lynx, with her estimated return next season. In her absence, the Lynx tips off their season on May 9 against the Atlanta Dream.
