The Liberty are coming off the two best seasons in their history — a run that was punctuated with the franchise’s first WNBA Finals title in October.
Running it back should be the plan for New York, especially considering the league is due for a reset in 2026.
The Liberty have six players under contract for 2025 and have up to six spots to fill.
Most if not all free agents during this year’s cycle will be signing one-year deals in preparation for the 2026 bonanza, with the new collective bargaining agreement expected to bring increased salaries.
The Liberty, according to HerHoopsStats.com, have $698,293 worth of cap space for general manager Jonathan Kolb to re-sign Breanna Stewart and flesh out the championship nucleus’ supporting cast.
Teams can make qualifying offers and “core” player designations (the WNBA’s equivalent to the NFL’s franchise tag), beginning Saturday.
Teams may begin talking with free agents Jan. 21, though deals can’t be officially signed until Feb. 1.
With those dates coming up, here’s a look at Liberty’s situation heading into free agency:
Under contract
Sabrina Ionescu
The three-time All-Star will be entering the final year of her contract.
Ionescu is slated to return for her fifth season in New York and is poised to be the team’s primary point guard after averaging 18.2 points, 6.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds last season.
Jonquel Jones
The Liberty are expected to welcome back the reigning WNBA Finals MVP for the final season of the two-year deal she signed last offseason.
Jones, an eight-year veteran and 2021 league MVP, led New York in rebounding last season.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton
Dealt with a nagging knee injury last season, but came up huge in the Liberty’s Game 2 win against the Minnesota Lynx in the Finals with a brilliant 20-point performance.
She has one year left on her deal.
Nyara Sabally
Has two years left on her rookie contract, with a team option for 2026. Sabally cemented herself into the Liberty’s future with an epic performance in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.
Leonie Fiebich
Finished second in voting for WNBA’s Sixth Player of the Year and didn’t skip a beat when she took over Courtney Vandersloot’s starting role in the playoffs.
With three years left on a rookie deal, including a team option in 2027, Fiebich’s future in New York appears bright.
win over the Minnesota Lynx at Barclays Center. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
Marquesha Davis
Has three years left on her rookie deal, including a team option in 2027.
With a veteran-stacked roster, Davis played sparingly her rookie season.
Reserved free agents
(The Liberty have exclusive negotiating rights with each of the following players as long as they extend a qualifying offer.)
Marine Johannes
Was the Liberty’s sixth player in 2023, but sat out last season because of the Olympics. It’s not immediately known whether she’ll play in 2025.
the Las Vegas Aces. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
But if she plans to return to the WNBA, then the Liberty should try to keep her in New York.
Ivana Dojkic
Was a free agent pickup last offseason but played limited minutes and was out of the rotation for most of the playoffs.
Given that, it seems like her time in New York could be over.
Rebekah Gardner
Missed all of last season as she rehabbed from a torn right Achilles while playing overseas last February.
When the Liberty traded for Gardner last March, Kolb was quoted as saying that the team targeted 2025 for Gardner’s return.
Jaylyn Sherrod
Appeared in 10 games for the Liberty last season.
Unfortunately, it’s hard for teams to develop talent while contending for titles.
Unrestricted free agents
Breanna Stewart
All signs point to Stewart returning to New York for next season.
The Liberty will likely use their core designation on the three-time WNBA champ to ensure that happens.
Courtney Vandersloot
After Vandersloot was benched in the playoffs, it appears her time in New York is coming to an end.
Speaking Tuesday, Vandersloot said she’s looking for a team that would value her and allow her to have the ball in her hands and create the way she does.
A pass-first point guard doesn’t fit what the Liberty need at this point.
Kennedy Burke
Her versatile skill set and length was why she was a great signing for the Liberty. But Burke fell out of the rotation in the playoffs, while Sabally ascended.
Kayla Thornton’s departure may pave the way for Burke to return for another year.
Biggest question
Who will replace Kayla Thornton?
Kolb’s first tough decision this offseason was which player, outside the starting five, was he going to protect for last month’s expansion draft.
The Golden State Valkyries ultimately picked Thornton.
Kolb already has a potential in-house solution to Thornton’s departure in Fiebich.
Bringing Burke back for additional wing depth is another possibility.
The Liberty could also look to sign a veteran from outside.
Alysha Clark, Myisha Hines-Allen and Gabby Williams are some unrestricted free agents who could make sense, though the cash-strapped Liberty might be outbid.
Another need
Solution for backup point guard
With Vandersloot expected to be on her way out, the Liberty will need to find another backup guard.
The Liberty’s options are limited given their cash restraints.
It’ll be easier to see the full picture once New York knows what it’ll take to bring Stewart back.
Las Vegas Aces. Michelle Farsi/New York Post
That said, one of the sneakier transactions Kolb has made was trading for Gardner’s rights last offseason.
Gardner went undrafted out of UCLA in 2012 and played a decade overseas before the Sky signed her for the 2022 season. She made the All-Rookie Team at 32 years old that year averaging 8.4 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while mostly coming off the bench.
Gardner missed most of the 2023 season and all of 2024 with separate injuries. If healthy, though, she could play a key reserve role for the Liberty next season.
Dream scenario
Liberty trade for Satou Sabally
The Dallas Wings should core Satou Sabally. But if she were to want out and/or the Wings are open to moving Sabally, then Kolb should have Curt Miller on speed dial.
Sabally makes sense for a lot of reasons.
Her arrival would immediately elevate the Liberty’s chance at winning back-to-back titles.
She already has personal connections to the Liberty because of her sister, Nyara, and former college teammate, Ionescu.
Sabally comes with injury risk. But with the Liberty’s future beyond the 2025 season uncertain, Sabally is well worth the gamble.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
