Sato Sabally Joins New York Liberty on Discount Contract

Sato Sabally has made a significant choice by joining the New York Liberty, with the aim of landing a WNBA Championship. However, this journey entails sacrifices—one of which is a notably reduced salary as he signs with the team.

The Liberty has confirmed a two-year contract with Sabally that guarantees him $815,000 in 2026 and $855,750 in 2027. It’s a substantial drop considering he was eligible to earn up to $1.19 million this year and was regarded as a $1 million caliber player within the new salary cap realities.

Interestingly, Sabally’s cap hit percentage is now at 11.64%, lower than the 14.27% he had with a $215,000 salary in 2025. It seems like the Liberty’s four All-Star players might also need to accept pay reductions, and with Sabally’s below-market contract, the team gains more flexibility with its salary cap.

A press conference is set for Friday, during which the Liberty will formally introduce Sabally. General manager Jonathan Kolb still has almost $5 million available to re-sign key players like Brianna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.

The Liberty also announced the re-signing of Laney Hamilton, although details of that contract remain undisclosed.

At 27, Sabally, known for her exceptional skills and versatility, joins a team that could potentially create one of the tallest lineups in WNBA history this season. Her unique combination of guard-like abilities housed in a forward’s 6-foot-4 frame has earned her the nickname “The Unicorn.”

Kolb praised her, stating, “Her size, versatility, and basketball IQ will give us incredible selectivity and energy. Sato chose New York because she wants to be part of a winning franchise and recognizes the championship culture here. This speaks to her selfless mindset and belief in our vision.” He looks forward to seeing her flourish as a key player in their pursuit of excellence and titles.

Sabally was the No. 2 pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, right after her teammate Ionescu. While she faced several injuries during her five-season stint with the Dallas Wings, she made a notable impact last year, appearing in a career-high 39 games and averaging 16.3 points, along with 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Earlier this year, she had to sit out a game due to lingering concussion symptoms from the Finals, but she has since resumed training.

This season also marks a reunion for her and Ionescu, who together elevated Oregon State during their time at the university. Sabally expressed her enthusiasm for joining the Liberty, highlighting the strong winning culture and her eagerness to make meaningful contributions from the start. In her words, “I can’t wait to get to work and do everything we can to bring another WNBA title to this city.”