Congratulations to anyone who decoded Breanna Stewart’s emoji tweets and knew she’d be headed to the New York Liberty. The All-Star announced Wednesday she’s headed to the Big Apple in a landmark deal that has shaken up the WNBA.
What to know about this move and WNBA free agency:
Stewart’s Liberty move can reshape the W
Stewart’s future has been a main topic of discussion among WNBA fans since last season. An All-Star, MVP, WNBA champion and Olympic gold medalist, she’s arguably the world’s best player and possibly the most markable. So speculation ran wild — and WNBA teams took their shots at landing her.
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Watch out, Aces. With Breanna Stewart on board, the Liberty are a new WNBA contender
Stewart contemplated leaving Seattle last year but stayed to try to win Sue Bird a title in her longtime teammate’s final season before retirement, signing a one-year supermax contract with the Storm. New York was chasing her then, and the East Coast seemed like a likely destination for the Syracuse native and UConn alum. And not only for personal reasons.
With Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney, the Liberty have had a strong foundation, and with Joe Tsai, there’s ownership that is trying to progress the WNBA. Something that clearly appeals to Stewart, who like Tsai is vocal about improving the league’s travel accommodations as well as other issues.
I would love to be part of a deal that helps subsidize charter travel for the entire WNBA.
I would contribute my NIL, posts + production hrs to ensure we all travel in a way that prioritizes player health + safety, which ultimately results in a better product.
Who’s with me?
— Breanna Stewart (@breannastewart) January 22, 2023
With Jonquel Jones’ addition to the Liberty already this offseason, Stewart’s decision could reshape New York and the WNBA.
A four-time All-Star, two-time WNBA champion and finals MVP, the 6-foot-4 wing averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game last season during the Storm’s semifinals run.
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Big-name free-agency moves
This has been an especially active free agency with talented players relocating. Let’s run through it:
Jan. 15: Jonquel Jones was part of a three-team deal that sent the 2021 WNBA MVP to the New York Liberty. Jones, who played for the Sun since her 2016 debut, had requested the trade. It was the start of a massive home run derby for the Liberty.
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Sun trade Jonquel Jones to Liberty
Jan. 16: The Sun sent point guard Jasmine Thomas and a first-round pick to the Los Angeles Sparks for Jasmine Walker, Kianna Smith and Olivia Nelson-Ododa.
Jan. 21: The Sparks acquired Dearica Hamby, who had been a strong contributor for the Aces — the franchise she’s spent her career with first in San Antonio (the Stars) and after its relocation to Las Vegas. The on-court ramifications took a backseat after Hamby alleged mistreatment by the Aces because of her pregnancy.
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Hamby alleges discrimination by Aces over pregnancy
Allisha Gray also was traded from the Wings to the Dream for two first-round picks.
Jan. 28: Candace Parker’s decision to play for the Aces made WNBA fans wonder just how dominant Las Vegas will be as Parker joins a cast of league stars who just won the championship. The veteran played two seasons in Chicago, near her hometown, and won a title there in 2021.
Free-agent WNBA star Candace Parker is signing with the Las Vegas Aces, she announced Saturday.
Parker is returning for her 16th season following retirement speculation.
More from @chanteljennings: https://t.co/Aki0tFBoUC pic.twitter.com/cKq98UlqV2
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 28, 2023
Jan. 31: Another departure hit hard for the Sky. Courtney Vandersloot, who has played her entire career in Chicago, announced she’d be leaving the team. The point guard did not declare which team she’d be joining.
Feb. 1: On the first day of free agency signings, Breanna Stewart made the biggest splash in her historic move from Seattle to New York. When KD and the Empire State Building weigh in, you know it’s big.
Kevin Durant approves of Breanna Stewart joining the New York Liberty ✔️@KDTrey5 🤝 @breannastewart pic.twitter.com/ar3Ecl0T9I
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 1, 2023
In other moves, Alysha Clark agreed to a deal with the Aces, and the Mystics signed Brittney Sykes from the Sparks.
What’s the active free agency period say about the league?
That it’s come a long way. Players used to be essentially trapped in their contracts for years after their rookie seasons. With four-year rookie contracts, two-year restricted free agency and core provisions that could keep a player with a team for additional years, there were few offseason waves. Free agency would come and go with little — if any — buzz.
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That’s not the case anymore.
Since the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2020, players have gained new freedom to determine their futures and have more control over their financial security. Stewart is one of the most exciting free-agency moves in history, sparking interest in the league that is common in NBA summers. It’s been a long-debated issue about the formation of super-teams in the NBA, and now we’re starting to see it in the W.
Parker leaving the Sparks to join the Sky, and then winning a championship, in 2021 was a landmark case for what was possible for star players like her. Chelsea Gray’s move to the Aces – and her winning the championship last season – was another example. And now we have headline after headline of major players — like Jones, Stewart and Vandersloot — making moves and generating excitement about the league.
Other key WNBA dates
April 10: WNBA Draft
April 30: WNBA training camp begins
May 18: Final roster cuts
May 19: Regular season starts
• Liberty at Mystics, with Stewart and Jones making their debut for New York
May 20: Aces at Storm, Parker makes debut for defending champs
May 21: Sky at Mercury, first home game for Brittney Griner
• Liberty home opener against Indiana Fever
May 27: Sparks at Aces, Las Vegas home opener