Last updated: April 5, 2026
Quick Answer
Major League Pickleball announced keeper selections for all 20 teams in 2026, with organizations retaining between 0 to 5 players each from their 2025 rosters. The league retained 54 total players (26 female, 28 male), while 32 players were dropped outright and another 24 became free agents due to waiver claims or contract expirations. Notable surprises include 2025 MVP Jorja Johnson entering the draft pool and several teams completely rebuilding their rosters.
Key Takeaways
- 54 total keepers across 20 teams: Teams retained 26 female and 28 male players, showing near-perfect gender parity in keeper selections[3]
- Keeper range varied dramatically: Organizations kept anywhere from 0 to 5 players, revealing vastly different strategic approaches to roster construction
- MVP became free agent: Jorja Johnson, the 2025 league MVP, was cut loose and entered the draft as the highest-profile available player[5]
- Chicago Slice rebuilt almost entirely: Retained only 2 male players with no female keepers, requiring extensive roster reconstruction through trades[4]
- Las Vegas Night Owls dominated: The Challenger championship team filled their entire six-player roster through keepers and pre-draft trades[4]
- Bay Area Breakers started from scratch: Completely jettisoned their 2025 roster, attempting a full rebuild with limited resources[2]
- Season launched May 22: The 2026 MLP season began in Dallas, with all 20 teams fielding complete six-player rosters[3]
What Are MLP Player Keepers and How Do They Work?
MLP player keepers are roster retention decisions made by team owners before the annual draft. Each team can keep up to five players from their previous season’s roster, protecting them from entering the draft pool.
The keeper system allows teams to maintain continuity and build around core talent. Organizations evaluate player performance, chemistry, contract status, and strategic fit when deciding who to retain. Players not kept become free agents eligible for the draft, creating opportunities for roster movement across the league.
Key keeper deadline rules:
- Teams must declare keepers by the February deadline
- Maximum five players per team (no gender restrictions)
- Waiver claim players from 2025 cannot be kept
- Expired contracts automatically enter free agency
- Teams can keep zero players if pursuing complete rebuilds
The 2026 keeper announcements revealed significant strategic diversity. Carolina Hogs retained four players (Ava Ignatowich, Angie Walker, James Delgado, DJ Young), balancing two female and two male keepers for roster stability[3]. Meanwhile, Chicago Slice kept only Hunter Johnson and Zane Navratil, signaling a major roster overhaul[4].
Common mistake: Teams sometimes overvalue 2025 performance without considering chemistry fit or long-term roster construction needs, leading to keeper decisions that limit draft flexibility.
Which Teams Made the Most Surprising Keeper Decisions?
The most shocking keeper decision was Jorja Johnson becoming a free agent despite winning the 2025 MVP award. Her availability as the draft’s highest-profile player stunned the pickleball community and created unprecedented draft intrigue[5].
Bay Area Breakers executed the most dramatic rebuild, cutting their entire 2025 roster and starting from scratch with Pablo Tellez and Mya Bui. This complete teardown reflected the Breakers’ non-promoted Challenger status and limited competitive resources[2].
Hard Eights shifted from high investment to “frisky spoiler” mode, scaling back competitive aspirations due to spending requirements. Despite acquiring waiver pickups Cailyn Campbell and Jalina Ingram in 2025, the team couldn’t retain them under new financial constraints[2].
Other notable keeper surprises:
- Chicago Slice retaining zero female players, requiring multiple trades
- Las Vegas Night Owls keeping their entire championship roster intact
- Palm Beach Royals (expansion team) starting with only three keepers
- Multiple competitive teams dropping established veterans for draft flexibility
Choose this strategy if: Your team underperformed in 2025 and needs fresh talent infusion rather than incremental improvement through continuity.
For more insights on how championship teams build rosters, check out Tarantino’s secret sauce to championship pedigree.
How Did Gender Distribution Impact Keeper Selections?
The 2026 keeper selections achieved near-perfect gender parity, with 26 female and 28 male players retained across all teams. This balanced distribution demonstrates MLP’s commitment to equitable roster construction and competitive opportunities[3].
Teams approached gender balance differently based on strategic needs. Carolina Hogs maintained perfect 2-2 gender split among keepers, while Chicago Slice’s male-only keepers created immediate draft pressure to acquire female talent through trades[4].
Gender distribution breakdown:
- 26 female keepers (48% of total retentions)
- 28 male keepers (52% of total retentions)
- Average per team: 1.3 female, 1.4 male keepers
- Perfect balance teams: Carolina Hogs, several others maintained 2-2 splits
The near-parity reflects MLP’s co-ed format requiring three female and three male players per six-person roster. Teams prioritizing keeper balance entered the draft with more flexibility, while those with gender-skewed retentions faced immediate roster construction pressure.
Edge case: Expansion teams like Palm Beach Royals needed to balance keeper decisions with draft capital allocation, keeping Tina Pisnik and Sofia Sewing (female) plus Dekel Bar (male) while preserving picks for remaining roster spots[1].
What Strategic Approaches Did Teams Take With Keepers?
Teams adopted three primary strategic approaches: continuity-focused (4-5 keepers), balanced rebuilding (2-3 keepers), or complete teardown (0-1 keepers). Each strategy reflected ownership philosophy, 2025 performance, and competitive timeline.
Continuity-focused teams like Carolina Hogs and Las Vegas Night Owls maximized keeper selections to maintain championship-caliber chemistry. The Night Owls, coming off their Challenger championship, filled their entire roster through keepers and pre-draft trades (Chao Yi Wang, Brooke Buckner, Samantha Parker, Pablo Tellez, Roscoe Bellamy, James Delgado)[4].
Balanced rebuilders retained core talent while preserving draft flexibility. These teams identified 2-3 essential players worth building around, then used draft capital to address specific roster gaps.
Complete teardown teams like Bay Area Breakers started fresh, believing available draft talent exceeded their existing roster quality. This high-risk approach requires excellent draft execution but offers maximum flexibility[2].
Strategic considerations:
- Championship contenders prioritized continuity over draft picks
- Mid-tier teams balanced retention with talent acquisition needs
- Struggling teams pursued aggressive rebuilds through draft capital
- Expansion teams started with minimal keepers to maximize flexibility
Decision rule: Keep 4-5 players if your team finished top-5 in 2025; keep 2-3 if you finished mid-pack; consider 0-1 if you finished bottom-5 and need transformational change.
Athletes looking to optimize performance might benefit from insights on how NBA stars improve sleep quality, relevant for professional pickleball players managing tournament schedules.
How Did the Keeper Deadline Impact the 2026 Draft?
The February keeper deadline released 56 players into the draft pool (32 dropped players plus 24 waiver/contract expirations), creating unprecedented talent availability. This deep player pool gave teams with draft capital significant roster-building opportunities[5].
Teams that kept fewer players entered the draft with more picks and flexibility to target specific talent. Chicago Slice’s minimal keeper approach required aggressive draft-day trading to fill roster gaps, particularly for female players[4].
The keeper deadline also triggered pre-draft trading activity. Teams knowing their keeper decisions could negotiate trades before draft day, with Las Vegas Night Owls completing their roster entirely through keepers and early trades[4].
Draft implications:
- Deeper talent pool than typical seasons
- High-profile players (including MVP) available
- Teams with fewer keepers had more draft capital
- Pre-draft trades increased due to known roster gaps
- All 20 teams completed six-player rosters by draft conclusion[6]
Common mistake: Teams sometimes rush keeper decisions without evaluating full draft pool quality, potentially keeping marginal players when better options become available.
What Are the Roster Implications for the 2026 Season?
The 2026 keeper decisions set the foundation for the season that launched May 22-25 in Dallas. Teams with continuity-focused keeper strategies entered with established chemistry, while rebuilding teams faced integration challenges[3].
Championship contenders like Las Vegas Night Owls leveraged keeper continuity to maintain competitive advantage. Their complete roster retention preserved the chemistry that won the 2025 Challenger championship, positioning them as immediate Premier Level threats[4].
Rebuilding teams face steeper learning curves. Bay Area Breakers’ complete roster overhaul requires developing chemistry from scratch, potentially limiting early-season competitiveness despite draft talent acquisition[2].
Season outlook by keeper strategy:
- High-keeper teams (4-5): Immediate championship contention, established chemistry
- Balanced teams (2-3): Competitive with integration period needed
- Low-keeper teams (0-1): Development year with long-term upside potential
The season continues through St. Louis and concludes at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, with tickets available through Ticketmaster for remaining events[3].
Edge case: Expansion team Palm Beach Royals faces unique challenges integrating three keepers with three drafted players, requiring accelerated chemistry development compared to established franchises[1].
For more on how teams build winning culture, explore Collingwood’s Centennial Cup success story.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can MLP teams keep from previous seasons?
Teams can keep up to five players from their previous season’s roster, with no gender restrictions. The 2026 keeper selections ranged from 0 to 5 players per team[3].
Why was MVP Jorja Johnson not kept by her team?
Specific reasons weren’t publicly disclosed, but her release created the draft’s most significant storyline as the highest-profile available player entered free agency[5].
Can expansion teams keep players?
Yes, expansion teams can keep players acquired through expansion draft or other means. Palm Beach Royals kept three players (Tina Pisnik, Sofia Sewing, Dekel Bar) entering 2026[1].
What happens to players not kept?
Players not kept enter the draft pool as free agents, becoming available for any team to select during the annual MLP draft.
How does the keeper system affect team strategy?
Keepers allow teams to maintain continuity and chemistry while balancing draft flexibility. Teams must weigh player value against draft capital opportunity costs.
When do teams announce keeper decisions?
Teams must declare keepers by the February deadline, with league-wide announcements following shortly after for transparency.
Can teams trade kept players?
Yes, teams can trade kept players before or during the draft, though keepers typically represent core roster pieces teams intend to build around.
How many total players were available in the 2026 draft?
56 players entered the draft pool: 32 dropped by teams plus 24 from waiver claims or contract expirations[5].
What’s the gender requirement for MLP rosters?
Each six-player roster requires three female and three male players, creating strategic considerations for keeper gender balance.
Did all teams complete rosters by the draft?
Yes, all 20 teams completed six-player rosters by the conclusion of the 2026 draft, marking a record-setting start to the season[6].
How do keeper decisions impact draft pick value?
Teams with fewer keepers have more draft picks, increasing their ability to target specific talent or execute draft-day trades for roster needs.
Can waiver claim players from 2025 be kept?
No, players acquired through 2025 waivers automatically entered free agency and could not be kept for 2026[5].
Conclusion
The MLP 2026 player keepers revealed dramatic strategic diversity across all 20 teams, with keeper selections ranging from complete roster teardowns to full continuity approaches. The near-perfect gender parity (26 female, 28 male keepers) demonstrates the league’s commitment to balanced competition, while surprising decisions like releasing MVP Jorja Johnson created unprecedented draft intrigue[3][5].
Teams now face the consequences of their keeper strategies as the season progresses. Continuity-focused organizations like Las Vegas Night Owls and Carolina Hogs enter with established chemistry and immediate championship potential, while rebuilding teams like Bay Area Breakers and Chicago Slice bet on draft talent and long-term development[2][4].
Next steps for MLP fans:
- Follow remaining season events in St. Louis and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Monitor how keeper decisions translate to on-court performance
- Track roster chemistry development for rebuilding teams
- Evaluate which strategic approach proves most successful by season’s end
The 2026 keeper decisions set the foundation for what promises to be the most competitive MLP season yet, with all 20 teams fielding complete rosters and pursuing championship aspirations through vastly different roster construction philosophies.
References
[1] Major League Pickleball 2026 Keeper Selections – https://thekitchenpickle.com/blogs/news/major-league-pickleball-2026-keeper-selections
[2] Mlp 2026 Pre Draft The 20 Team Mega Breakdown Part 2 – https://www.nmlpickleball.com/opinion/mlp-2026-pre-draft-the-20-team-mega-breakdown-part-2/
[3] Major League Pickleball Announces 2026 Player Keepers – https://majorleaguepickleball.co/news/major-league-pickleball-announces-2026-player-keepers/
[4] 2026 Major League Pickleball Trades And Analysis – https://pickleball.com/news/2026-major-league-pickleball-trades-and-analysis
[5] mexc – https://www.mexc.com/news/808134
[6] The 2026 Mlp Draft A Record Setting Start To The New Season – https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/the-2026-mlp-draft-a-record-setting-start-to-the-new-season/
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