Shakira Austin, who has completed her four-year rookie deal with the Washington Mystics, is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
Austin’s tenure in Washington has worn many different faces. Her talent has never come into question, and few would ever claim that she wasn’t worthy of being picked third overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft. However, injuries have stained many of her blossoming years—affecting not only her on-court output but more importantly her confidence and mental health.
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Last season was a breakthrough for Austin. For the first time since her rookie year, she played more than 19 games, appearing in 38 of Washington’s 44 contests. She averaged a career-high 12.7 points per game, rounding out her game beyond the interior defense that she’s been known for. Austin reassured herself that she is still the player she knows she can be—and more.
With all the positive energy radiating from Austin’s recent campaign, it seems counterintuitive to speculate whether or not she will stay with the Mystics. She’s voiced support for the new coaching staff, and they’ve sung her praises in return. She’s finally found a moment of peace with her health. Why let her go?
Austin’s prospective future in Washington, DC is a two-way street.
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If she stays in DC., that’s all for the better. If she explores other horizons, it should not be seen as a toxic rift between her and the organization that drafted her. Both the Mystics and Austin herself will have a voice in whether her career is suited for an extended stay. If Austin herself thinks that a change in scenery is right for her career, Mystics general manager Jamila Wideman would hopefully respect her decision.
Why Austin could choose to sign with another team
Limiting speculation to basketball (as opposed to the possibility that Austin may just want to play in another city, or have other reasons for pursuing a new WNBA home) the main reason for Austin to consider a move is usage. Kiki Iriafen is coming off of an All-Star rookie season, and has cemented herself alongside Sonia Citron as the team’s two franchise players. Austin is viewed by some as a cornerstone of the current Mystics, but the consensus seems to fluctuate more than it does for Citron and Iriafen.
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Austin has not yet reached her peak as a basketball player. In fact, I would go so far as to say that she isn’t even close to the heights that she could reach.
However, the more pressing question is whether or not she will reach those heights while playing behind or alongside Iriafen. I feel like every week I’m mentioning how the redundancies between non-shooting post players can pose challenges for WNBA team building. Austin has more potential to expand her game outwards than Iriafen, but that kind of development is never a given. Austin has a good handle for her size and has shown potential with her jump shot, neither of which are claims that Iriafen can make. Washington just committed to a similar route with Emily Engstler last season, transitioning her from an undersized post to a jumbo wing. Engstler played significantly fewer minutes in a much smaller role than Austin, so the transition was naturally less awkward.
There is no law stating that Austin must evolve into a more wing-dominant role, but there are just so many uncertainties around her and Iriafen splitting post minutes. Washington also has three first-round picks in the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft, and could very well select a post player at some point.
In summary, if Austin views her ceiling as taking the shape of a dominant post player at a high usage, then Washington is likely not the situation where she can meet that mark. The Mystics are too invested in the development of Iriafen to sacrifice her role as the team’s featured big. It would also be difficult to scrape up more usage than Austin saw last season, given that Georgia Amoore and three new rookies will be taking the court in DC for the first time next year.
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Why Austin could choose to re-sign with the Mystics
The reasons for Washington and Austin to renew their vows could effectively be referred to as “everything else.”
As long as Austin doesn’t feel like she needs consistent and repetitive post touches to thrive, then she should absolutely remain a pillar of this young Mystics roster. Austin’s emotional leadership has continued to grow as her tenure in the capital progresses. After Brittany Sykes was traded in the middle of the 2025 season, that leadership took on an even greater volume and value. Fans know that CareFirst Arena’s energy often feeds off of Austin. Her reactions to big plays and her heated moments with opponents are exactly what you want to see when you pay for a ticket.
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Austin’s skillset is still a desirable asset to any team, regardless of any overlap between her and other players. She’s becoming a more willing shooter, and her ability off the dribble was showcased well in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, even if Unrivaled’s 3×3 format doesn’t perfectly translate to WNBA play. She has also expressed a desire to play even more offseason basketball this winter, actively seeking more opportunities to challenge herself and her game. She will be competing for Rose BC in the second season of Unrivaled, and she just helped Team USA win gold at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup. She could also find additional 5×5 competitive opportunities.
Austin’s mental fortitude and mission to get better has always been the foundation of her energy on the Mystics. She’s been knocked down by her health too many times for comfort, but not once has she failed to get back up. Austin deserves to see the fruits of her labor with the Mystics, and she should have a meaningful place on the team if the two sides decide to continue their partnership. Contract uncertainty will assuredly play a role in the pace of the offseason and timing of these decisions, but expect Austin to return as a key Mystic in 2026.