Gabby Williams, who averaged a career-high 10.3 points last season, was designated as the Storm's core player and will not become an unrestricted free agent.

With the core designation, New York will officially take the biggest free agent off the market as the Liberty now have exclusive negotiating rights with Stewart.

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

T he Seattle Storm have cored Gabby Williams, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton reported on Tuesday. That means that the versatile wing will be offered a one-year contract at the WNBA’s hig

Under the current collective bargaining agreement, which expires after next season, players can be given the franchise tag a maximum of twice. This is the second straight season that Stewart has been cored by New York. Teams are allowed to give one player the franchise tag.

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

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.