When Sabrina Ionescu and Sato Sabally were in college, the Oregon State teammates often talked about what it was like to play together at the professional level.
Up until this point, those conversations were mostly wishful thinking, as both sides were locked in with the teams that selected them first and second overall in the 2020 draft.
But that dream of teaming up professionally will soon become a reality, at least in one professional setting, and perhaps in another.
Ionescu and Sabally are reunited as Phantom teammates and are scheduled to debut next week at Unrivaled in Miami.
“It's great,” Sabally said Thursday of playing with Ionescu again. “She's a great person. It's that work ethic that we've always admired in each other, and I know she'll bring that in.”
But will this be the beginning of a year-long reunion between the two former Oregon State stars?
It's not out of the realm of possibility, as Sabally made a bombshell during an Unrivaled media appearance on Thursday.
Sabally, an unrestricted free agent, said he will be joining the Dallas Wings after five seasons.
“I have already expressed my gratitude to Dallas for making this my home all these years, and I am working with them to find my next home,” Sabally said. said. “I already played my last game in Dallas.”
Let's start the Sabally sweepstakes.
Given this situation, the Wings are likely to use a core pick on Sabally, as that would give Dallas some sort of return for the 6-foot-4 forward who has been dubbed the “Unicorn” since Sabally's acquisition. It would be possible to orchestrate a sign-and-trade. University days.
There will be a lot of competition for Sabally. And defending champion Liberty should be one of the teams targeting the star player.
Sabally would make any team better considering her length and versatile skill set. But spending a premium on a player with a long injury history like Sabally comes with some risk.
Since Sabally was drafted, he has played in more than 20 games in a season only once in five years. Last season, he only appeared in 15 games due to a shoulder injury, but was able to represent Germany at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
But for the Liberty, Sabally would be worth a gamble. When available, Sabally is one of the elite players in the league.
Last season, she averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5 assists. She shot 42.6 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from deep, averaging 5.6 3-pointers per game.
What could give New York an advantage in negotiations for Sabally is the fact that, in addition to her connection to Ionescu, she already has some ties to the Liberty.
She was born in New York City, and her younger sister Nyala has been playing for the Liberty since they drafted her fifth overall in the 2022 draft.
Last month, Nyala spoke about a possible reunion for the Sabally sisters, saying it would be a dream come true for her mother.
“Of course I want her to come and hang out with me,” said the younger Sabally. “But that's for her to decide for herself.”
Sato Sabally said Thursday he is open to the possibility of playing alongside his sister in New York.
“Yes, of course. I would be happy about that in the future,” Sabally said.
Hours before Sabally declared his tenure in Dallas over, Wings general manager Curt Miller spoke about the future of the franchise during the team's new head coach, Kris Coquelanes, inauguration press conference.
“We're trying to build something foundational and sustainable right away,” Miller said.
To make the deal happen, Brianna Stewart would likely have to re-sign at a discounted rate like she did last season. The Liberty also need to package a deal with at least one player and a draft pick.
If Sabally wins the award, Liberty could consider moving Leonie Fievic or Marin Johannes. Coach Miller is expected to focus on these two players, with the Wings' No. 1 overall pick this year being Connecticut star Paige Bueckers.
In return, Sabally would increase the Liberty's chances of winning back-to-back titles before the WNBA undergoes a league reset during the 2026 free agency period.
Sabally is “excited” about the possibilities that await him in free agency. Perhaps Unrivaled is the perfect place for her to take the next stage of her career.
“I haven't played for another team yet, so I get to talk to a lot of players outside of the Wings. I'm excited to get to know them more on a personal level,” she said. “I love having basketball conversations and high-level IQ conversations about the game to see where I fit best in the future.”
