Seattle Storm Bolster Roster with Key Free Agent Signings

Cooke, Holmes, and Hiedeman return to provide depth and versatility for the 2026 season.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:40am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes that abstractly represent the motion and energy of a basketball game or match.The Storm's strategic free agent signings aim to build a versatile, well-rounded roster capable of weathering the departure of star players.Seattle Today

The Seattle Storm has made some strategic moves in free agency, securing the services of Zia Cooke, Mackenzie Holmes, and Natasha Hiedeman. These signings aim to bolster the team's depth and versatility as they navigate the departure of two star players, Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins.

Why it matters

The Storm's off-season moves demonstrate a focus on building a well-rounded team with depth and adaptability, rather than simply replacing stars with stars. This approach could pay dividends in a league where bench strength is increasingly important, as the Storm looks to maintain its competitive edge in the post-Ogwumike era.

The details

Zia Cooke, a seasoned guard, brings her sharpshooting abilities to the Storm, having shot a career-high 39.5% from beyond the arc last season. Mackenzie Holmes, a young forward, is looking to make her mark after recovering from knee surgery, with the potential to contribute on both ends of the court. Natasha Hiedeman, a proven performer from the Minnesota Lynx, will add versatility and scoring prowess to the Storm's lineup, especially with the departure of Ogwumike.

  • The Storm is preparing for its season opener against the Golden State Valkyries.

The players

Zia Cooke

A seasoned guard who has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in her three-point shooting, with a career-high 39.5% from beyond the arc last season.

Mackenzie Holmes

A young forward with untapped potential, looking to make her mark in the league after recovering from knee surgery, with the ability to contribute on both ends of the court.

Natasha Hiedeman

A proven performer from the Minnesota Lynx, who will add versatility and scoring prowess to the Storm's lineup, especially with the departure of Nneka Ogwumike.

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The takeaway

The Storm's off-season moves demonstrate a commitment to building a well-rounded team with depth and versatility, rather than simply replacing stars with stars. This strategy could pay dividends in a league where bench strength is increasingly important, as the team looks to maintain its competitive edge in the post-Ogwumike era.