WNBA: Can the New York Liberty acquire Satou Sabally?

The New York Liberty are gearing up for the upcoming free agency period in the WNBA. With multiple expiring contracts and the potential to acquire top free agents, the 2024 champions are in for a busy offseason.

Before delving into the decisions facing the Liberty, let’s take a look at where the team stands heading into free agency:

Facts and figures*

Players under contract (contract status; 2025 salary)

Marquesha Davis (unprotected; $71,753)
Leonie Fiebich (unprotected; $68,595)
Sabrina Ionescu (unprotected; $208,600)
Jonquel Jones (protected; $195,000)
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (protected veteran; $185,400)
Nyara Sabally (unprotected; $79,999)

Free agent (type; 2024 salary)

Kennedy Burke (unrestricted; $76,535)
Ivana Dojkić (reserved; $64,154)
Rebekah Gardner (reserved; n/a)
Marine Johannès (reserved; n/a)
Jaylyn Sherrod (reserved; $30,488)
Breanna Stewart (unrestricted; $205,000)
Courtney Vandersloot (unrestricted; $194,670)
Han Xu (contract expired)

Total salary of free agents: $570,847

Total team salary: $808,807

Cap space: $698,293

Unsigned draftees (2025 salary)

Marine Fauthoux ($64,438)

2025 WNBA Draft picks (2025 salary)

Round 1, No. 7 ($75,643)
Round 3, No. 38 ($66,079)

NY’s core, qualifying offer decisions

The core designation in the WNBA allows teams to hold exclusive negotiating rights for one player on their roster. The Liberty cored Breanna Stewart last season and plan to do the same this year. This trend of one-year deals is expected to continue due to upcoming CBA negotiations, with Stewart likely signing below the max to help the team attract free agents.

Alongside coring Stewart, the Liberty will extend qualifying offers to several players, including Ivana Dojkić, Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johanès, and Jaylyn Sherrod.

Can the Liberty lure top free agents?

One of the prominent free agency rumors links the Liberty to Satou Sabally of the Dallas Wings. Sabally, who declared she has played her last game for Dallas, was cored by the team for a potential trade. New York is an appealing destination for Sabally due to her sister Nyara already on the team and the opportunity to play alongside familiar faces like Ionescu.

If Sabally joins the Liberty, it could reshape the team’s lineup and elevate their championship aspirations. The potential trade might involve Laney-Hamilton and additional assets to secure Sabally’s services.

Aside from Sabally, New York must also consider re-signing their own free agents like Vandersloot and Burke. If Vandersloot departs, the team will need to address the point guard position with options in the market.

So, what’s going to happen?