Liberty’s Expansion Draft Decisions

Sabrina Ionescu from the Liberty had a hard time keeping a straight face while discussing her prospects for the upcoming expansion draft.

“I don’t think I’ll be picked in the expansion draft,” she remarked, her tone playful and laced with laughter. “I guess that’s not exactly what I was expecting.”

Clearly, the Liberty planned to utilize one of their five protected slots in Friday’s WNBA Expansion Draft to retain Ionescu, a key player in their 2026 strategy.

Yet, the question remains: who will fill the final four protection spots?

As previously mentioned, the Liberty might opt not to protect either Brianna Stewart or Jonquel Jones. Both players are unrestricted free agents and lack core eligibility, which complicates any potential agreements with the Portland Fire or Toronto Tempo, as those teams wouldn’t have exclusive negotiating rights.

Currently, the only players signed for 2026 are Leoni Fievic and Nyara Sabally, both of whom seem crucial to protect. Bethonia Rainey-Hamilton, who was unavailable last season but is now back, might also be a natural choice given the team’s vision for the upcoming season.

If the Liberty decide to leave Stewart and Jones unprotected, selecting that final protected player could become quite complicated.

Marine Johannes, Rebecca Gardner, and Raquel Carrera are all in the running for that spot.

Considering the number of draft rights and reserve free agents on their roster, the Liberty face the risk of losing two players come Friday.

Here are five players that could be targeted in the expansion draft:

• Marine Johannes, Guard: A fan favorite, Johannes is nicknamed “The Wizard” for her quick playmaking. While she excels at hitting consecutive shots, she’s also impactful as a bench player. In 2025, she featured in all 44 regular season games, averaging 6.4 points with shooting percentages of 39.7% from the field and 34.4% from beyond the arc. However, she was largely absent from the playoff rotation, contributing just 10 minutes across three games against the Mercury. As a pending free agent, her rights would fall to the drafting team.
• Rebecca Gardner, Guard: After battling injuries, last season marked Gardner’s first full year back. Standing 6-foot-1, she averaged 3.7 points with a notable shooting efficiency of 50/47.6/81.5 in about 12.2 minutes per game. Her cutting ability shines at times, and she brings a high-energy defense. Gardner, who added muscle in the offseason, expressed her desire to play in Brooklyn this year.
• Emma Messeman, Forward: Messeman’s return to the WNBA is uncertain, making her a bit of a wildcard. The 32-year-old Belgian could be an enticing option for any expansion team should the Liberty leave her unprotected. With impressive credentials—including being a two-time WNBA All-Star and a championship winner with the Mystics—she could become a cornerstone for a new franchise.
• Raquel Carrera, Center: Although Carrera, a second-round pick by the Dream in 2021, hasn’t yet made her WNBA debut, sources indicate she plans to join the league this year. The 24-year-old Spanish center has shown promise in the EuroLeague, averaging 10.2 points and 3.9 rebounds alongside Fievic.
• Annika Soltau, Forward: Last year, the Liberty signed Soltau, a 6-foot-4 German shot blocker who went undrafted. Although she didn’t play last season, she could make her WNBA debut this year. Recognized by FIBA as one of Europe’s rising stars, the 21-year-old has been putting up impressive numbers, averaging 20.7 points and 11.1 rebounds this season.

Additionally, the Liberty maintain rights to Han Shu, a 6-foot-10 center from China who last played in the WNBA in 2023 but is reportedly eager to return. Other international prospects under their rights include France’s Sehia Ridard, Marine Fortwo, and Ajah Kane. There are also unrestricted free agents like Natasha Cloud, Kennedy Burke, and Isabelle Harrison to consider.