Sabrina Ionescu Named Core Player by Liberty
This Tuesday, the Liberty elevated star guard Sabrina Ionescu to a core player status.
This designation means that New York effectively removes one of its top free agents from the pool, securing exclusive rights to negotiate with Ionescu. She’s eligible for a $1.4 million supermax deal, although there’s room to discuss lower terms if both parties agree.
Additionally, the Liberty extended qualifying offers to guards Marin Johannes and Rebecca Gardner, signaling their expected return to Brooklyn for the new season.
Ionescu has been pretty clear about her intentions since the end of last season—she aims to re-sign with New York by 2026.
Last week, while at a USA Basketball training camp in Phoenix, she reinforced her commitment, expressing, “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
“Honestly, I never thought about going anywhere else,” Ionescu said, adding her excitement about the upcoming signing and saying it would happen soon.
Drafted first overall in 2020 out of Oregon, Ionescu has spent her entire WNBA career with the Liberty. She’s been an All-Star for the last four seasons and played an integral role in helping New York reach the WNBA Finals twice in three years, claiming the championship in 2024.
The Liberty is planning to revamp its roster with key players like Ionescu, Brianna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Leonie Fibich, and Betoniyah Rainey-Hamilton. This lineup notably resembles the one that won the franchise’s first championship and ended a 50-year drought without a pro basketball title since 1973.
Last season, Ionescu was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 18.2 points with a shooting percentage of 40.1, though her three-point shooting dipped to a career-low of 22.2.
In terms of the Liberty’s administrative moves—these qualifying offers to Gardner and Johannes weren’t unexpected. Securing these rights is crucial for the start of negotiations with free agents beginning Wednesday.
Johannes has the potential to be pivotal coming off the bench, especially as the Liberty may shift their offensive strategy under new head coach Chris DeMarco.
Notably, Johannes has become a fan favorite since her WNBA debut in 2019, known for her dynamic playmaking and timely shooting, earning her the nickname “The Wizard.”
Meanwhile, Gardner’s focus this offseason has shifted from rehabbing injuries to stepping back into the game. She had a strong run with Athletes Unlimited, averaging 12.8 points on 56.6 percent shooting.
Gardner indicated her plans for this season and expressed hope to secure a more consistent role, despite turning 36 this summer. She remains a valuable defender and an athletic slasher.
While the official negotiation window starts Wednesday, teams cannot finalize player signings until Saturday.
