Courtney Vandersloot — 5 times WNBA The All-Star and two-time WNBA champion is one of dozens of free agents who made a big impact this summer.
In his 14th season, the veteran point guard averaged 6.4 points and 4.8 assists in 22.3 minutes per game, helping the New York Liberty win its first franchise championship.
She is currently a free agent and could end up returning to the Liberty or heading elsewhere ahead of the 2025 WNBA season.
Courtney Vandersloot has reduced role in 2024 WNBA Playoffs
Vandersloot, a surefire Hall of Famer, was benched in favor of standout rookie Leonie Fibich in the postseason. As a result, her playing time was reduced to a career-low 14 minutes in the postseason.
Vandersloot was praised for her professionalism during the transfer period, but it remains to be determined whether her bench demotion will be a factor in whether she is interested in re-signing with New York.
She is currently in Miami and is one of 36 WNBA players participating in Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 women's professional basketball league that begins Jan. 17 on TNT.
What the Liberty guard said about WNBA free agency
In an interview with the media during Unrivaled's hiatus, the 35-year-old veteran gave an update on the state of free agency, while being in Miami for a new league could actually give him an advantage in negotiations. He pointed out that there is a gender.
“Free agency is coming up in the quarter and I've been thinking about it for the last few weeks. All that matters is finding balance. It's a great opportunity to have everyone here. There are people in town that I'm sure we'll meet. I think there's a lot of them. I see free agents down the hall. I think this is a great place to be if you're a free agent.”
Free agent negotiations begin on January 21st, just days after gameplay officially begins. Players can officially sign their contracts on February 1st, so Vandersloot will likely remain in Miami while signing with Unrivaled through the 2025 season.
Vandersloot said he intends to fully participate in the free agency process.
“I'm going to go through free agency and see what's the best situation for me and my family, but obviously I feel like I'm a part of the New York Liberty right now,” she said. “But I'm going to go through free agency and figure out what's best for me.”
Vandersloot, who ranks second on the WNBA's all-time assists list, may not be as strong as he was in his prime, but he's still an elite playmaker with veteran acumen, and multiple WNBA teams without a leading playmaker. could be promoted.
When asked what he is looking for in his next contract, Vandersloot said he wants to join a team that competes for a championship and that puts the ball in his hands.
“I want to be recognized and I want to be competitive. That's why I come into this league to compete for championships,” Vandersloot said. “A place that cares about me and wants me to be there and sees what I can bring to the team. That's the most important thing. With the ball in my hands, I want to create what I think I can do and be in a place that is comfortable for me and my family.”
Whether that's the best fit for the New York Liberty remains to be seen.
