Major League Pickleball offseason trade roundup: Several teams making moves ahead of free-agency draft

Alex Lantz

Director of Content

Last Edited

Feb 02 2026

Feb. 1

- Atlanta Bouncers receive Kaitlyn Christian.
- Texas Ranchers receive Victoria DiMuzio and cash.

UPDATED ROSTERS

Atlanta Bouncers: Jaume Martinez Vich, Jay Devilliers, Kaitlyn Christian, Rachel Rettger.

Texas Ranchers: Christian Alshon, Eric Oncins, Tina Pisnik, Victoria DiMuzio, Felicity Di Laura, Wyatt Stone.

Atlanta has been the most active team in the offseason so far, after two of their players -- Vivienne David and Todd Fought -- recently retired. They now have a solid men's team and one starting-caliber women's player in Christian. That means they will likely be targeting a women's player as their first pick in the free-agency draft (but so will a lot of other teams).

Texas also seems to be moving some pieces around to make room for a new women's starter, but there's also the outstanding question of what they will do with Alshon. It's no secret that Alshon wasn't exactly vibing with team management toward the end of 2025, so it will be interesting to see if the Ranchers stick with him as their top player moving forward.

Jan. 31

- Chicago Slice receive Zane Navratil.
- New Jersey 5s receive cash.

UPDATED ROSTERS

Chicago Slice: Hunter Johnson, Zane Navratil, Callie Smith, Carlos Di Laura, Pierina Imparato.

New Jersey 5s: Anna Leigh Waters, Will Howells, Meghan Dizon, Noe Khlif, Mari Humberg.

The Slice had a lot of work to do after two of their starters -- James Ignatowich and Vivian Glozman -- had their contacts terminated by the UPA last month. Their plan seems to be taking shape, as they now have two decent men's players who could start in 2026. They likely will still be looking to add a strong women's player, though.

For the 5s, this move makes a lot of sense. They probably were going to drop Navratil anyway, so this way they at least get some cash for him.

Jan. 31

- Atlanta Bouncers receive Jay Devilliers.
- Miami Pickleball Club receives Eric Roddy and cash.

UPDATED ROSTERS

Atlanta Bouncers: Jaume Martinez Vich, Jay Devilliers, Victoria DiMuzio, Rachel Rettger

Miami Pickleball Club: Eric Roddy, Tammy Emmrich, Yuta Funemizu, Mya Bui, Juan Benitez, Tatiana Ruhl.

Miami traded away several of their top players for cash at the trade deadline last year (and still made the playoffs). This is another move where they shipped off their best player essentially for cash. So the natural question is: Will they be big spenders in this year's free-agency draft, or are they saving for 2027, when several top players will likely be available?

Jan. 30

- Los Angeles Mad Drops receive Max Freeman.
- Chicago Slice receive Hunter Johnson and cash.

UPDATED ROSTERS

Los Angeles Mad Drops: Ben Johns, Max Freeman, Wes Burrows, Catherine Parenteau, Jade Kawamoto, Mehvish Safdar.

Chicago Slice: Hunter Johnson, Carlos Di Laura, Callie Smith, Pierina Imparato.

Chicago is eligible to keep Johnson, as they did not have two players from the 2024 Draft eligible to be kept.

For Los Angeles, the trade means Ben Johns and Max Freeman will team up for the first time. The two were supposed to play at least one PPA Tour event together in 2025, but because Freeman's contract discussions took longer than anticipated, Johns ended up going with Gabe Tardio for most of his events in 2025 (that worked out OK).

Even with the downgrade in singles, the Mad Drops will likely be one of the favorites heading into the 2026 season, as they made the semifinals in 2025 after trading for Ben Johns at the trade deadline. The Slice did not make the playoffs in 2025.

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