Hailey Van Lith Returns to Connecticut Sun on Developmental Contract

The Connecticut Sun have moved quickly to retain guard Hailey Van Lith, signing her to a developmental contract just two days after the team waived the former first-round draft pick. The move, confirmed on Saturday, allows the organization to keep the 24-year-old in their training pipeline while clearing a standard roster spot for French guard Leïla Lacan.

Strategic Roster Management

The decision to waive Van Lith on Thursday was primarily driven by the team’s need to accommodate Lacan, who recently finished her professional commitments in France. By shifting Van Lith to a developmental contract, Connecticut utilizes a roster mechanism introduced in the latest collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to carry two additional players outside of the standard salary cap.

According to reports from ESPN’s Alexa Philippou and Kendra Andrews, Van Lith received interest from other organizations as a free agent but ultimately chose to return to Connecticut. Her decision was reportedly motivated by a desire to remain in the Sun’s system to focus on her long-term professional development.

Understanding the Developmental Contract

Under the current WNBA structure, developmental contracts are available to players with fewer than four years of service, or those with fewer than six years of service who played a limited number of minutes in the previous regular season. Key features of these contracts include:

• Limited Activation: Players on these deals can be activated for a maximum of 12 games per season.
• Transition Requirements: Once a player reaches the 12-game limit, the team must either convert them to a standard contract or release them.
• Benefits: Players receive full league benefits and a stipend, along with game-appearance bonuses.

Notably, the nine games Van Lith appeared in earlier this season under a standard contract do not count toward her 12-game developmental limit, as league rules specify that the cap applies only to games played while on a developmental contract.

Van Lith’s Professional Trajectory

Selected No. 11 overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Van Lith has navigated a challenging start to her professional career. Her rookie campaign with the Chicago Sky was hampered by an ankle injury, limiting her to 29 appearances. Following her departure from Chicago, she joined the Sun, where she showcased efficiency across her nine appearances, averaging 8.1 points and 2.2 assists per game while shooting 49.2 percent from the floor.

The Sun, currently working to improve their 1-8 start to the season, view the developmental contract as an ideal way to balance immediate roster needs with the long-term growth of a young talent. As Van Lith continues her transition to the professional game, the arrangement provides a stable environment for her to refine her skills within the Sun’s coaching framework.

Key Takeaways

• Hailey Van Lith has re-signed with the Connecticut Sun on a developmental contract.
• The move allows the Sun to add Leïla Lacan to the standard roster while retaining Van Lith’s development rights.
• Developmental contracts allow for up to 12 active games and exist outside of the team’s salary cap.
• Van Lith opted to stay in Connecticut despite other available opportunities, citing her commitment to her long-term development goals.