“Well there goes my healed journey… they got my bookie and my rook. They kept me together man wow s— hurts.” Shakira Austin wrote after the Washington Mystics traded two familiar faces in All-Star guard Brittney Sykes and second-year forward Aaliyah Edwards. That left the Ole Miss alumna as one of the few returning names on the youngest team in the league.
Leading the team in steals and blocks, Austin is holding down the defense in Washington while also averaging a second-best 12.5 in points. So how much is the forward earning as one of the leaders of the side?
What are the terms of Shakira Austin’s current contract with the Washington Mystics?
After being selected third overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft, Shakira Austin inked a 3-year deal with the Washington Mystics worth $226,668, averaging $75,556 per season. The contract ran from 2022 to 2024, but in May last year, the team exercised the fourth-year option, extending her stay through 2025.
This now leaves the young forward as a restricted free agent, just in time for the new CBA terms to set in.
How much will Shakira Austin earn in 2025, and how does it affect the team’s salary cap?
In 2025, Shakira Austin is set to rake in a cool $91,981, her base salary, cap hit, and dead cap value all locked at that number. Like things go with rookie contracts, her last year is the highest annual salary of her rookie deal. Her 2025 salary makes her the third-highest earner on the Mystics squad, which is rebuilding with youngsters.
May 19, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin (0) shoots the ball as New York Liberty center Han Xu (21) defends in the fourth quarter at Entertainment & Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Given her role on the team, the Mystics can lock in Shakira Austin with a qualifying offer before free agency kicks off in January 2026, giving themselves the right of first refusal.
If she inks a deal with another WNBA team, Washington can swoop in and match the terms, keeping Austin in their lineup. She’s not going anywhere unless the Mystics let her walk. And if the Mystics use the core player tag on Austin, she’s completely off-limits to other teams, unless Washington decides to trade her rights or let her go. In short, the ball is firmly in the Mystics’ court when it comes to keeping Austin on their squad. They will likely retain her for probably a lot more, depending on the CBA.
What are Shakira Austin’s career earnings so far?
Austin has been with the Mystics since she was picked as the no.3 overall in the 2022 draft, and here are her entire career earnings ever since:
Year
Age
Team
Salary
2022
21
Washington Mystics
$72,141
2023
22
Washington Mystics
$73,584
2024
24
Washington Mystics
$80,943
Total
$226,668
2025
25
Washington Mystics
$91,981
Total
$318,649
Austin remains a vital part of this Mystics squad that could even do something impressive this season. They are 14-17 so far and are looking to build on their youth after trading Brittney Sykes. While Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen settle in, Austin is out making room. With the franchise aiming for long-term goals, building on their young core, Austin is much likely to return.
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