Folks, it’s been an absolute gauntlet of a couple of weeks in #WNBA land.
I have no idea how I’m alive, but alas. I wanted to share my latest about Satou Sabally’s arrival in NY and why her decision stood against convention.
My latest for @theixsports.bsky.social :
Jonquel Jones and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton guarding each other? @classicjpow.bsky.social saw it with her own two eyes at New York Liberty training camp today:
www.youtube.com/shorts/KQI_H...
First professional pictures of Lady Gaga at the ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ premiere in NYC.
Lady Gaga with Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Stanley Tucci on the red carpet at the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" in NYC.
Asked whether she ever considered leaving New York in free agency this offseason, Jonquel Jones said, “There was never a point. There was never a point.”
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton talking with the group
"Secretary Kennedy’s unlawful declaration harmed children,” the Judge wrote.
“This case highlights a leader’s unserious regard for the rule of law...
“Unserious leaders are unsafe."
www.advocate.com/politics/nat...
Over the 🌖 for ya my friend!!! Mazel tov!!
Chris DeMarco might be a first-time WNBA head coach, but he's not running away from the Liberty's championship expectations.
More on my convo with him after yesterday on how he prepared for training camp and his first season:
nypost.com/2026/04/19/s...
Stephanie White asked by myself and James Boyd about the planning for Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell after injuries last year:
That leaves a little bit of room beyond filling the roster out with minimum salaries. Could give Johannes something in the 460k range, or something in the 370k range if she was splitting their remaining space with someone else. #WNBA
Can confirm via source that Jonquel Jones re-signed with New York Liberty for three-years, protected, $1,190,000/$1,249,500/$1,309,000.
Regular max, 5% raises, not the floating version Stewart/Ionescu signed. @madkenney.bsky.social first on deal, @alexaphilippou.bsky.social first w/ details. #WNBA
To close the loop here: Jonquel Jones' three-year deal with the New York Liberty comes in at the regular max with 5% raises, so $1,190,000 in 2026, $1,249,500 in 2027 and $1,309,000 in 2028, per sources
Among the additional information I've gotten recently that's somewhat relevant here: You're not *required* to fill those two development spots. Entirely optional. #WNBA
Both were involved in free agency and the Sparks draft process.
Sparks GM Raegan Pebley officially announced the team's hiring of two assistant GMs: Zach Knowlton from the Sacramento Kings and Nate Nielsen from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Day One of Lynx Training Camp No. 4 for me is underway!
Some first day practice thoughts from @tempobasketball.bsky.social Basketball head coach Sandy Brondello.
Can also confirm via source that Aliyah Boston signed her 'EPIC' renegotiation and extension with the Indiana Fever for three extra years, protected, $1,000,000/[supermax]/[supermax]/[supermax].
That's the floating supermax, 20% of team cap, in 2027/8/9. ESPN (Shams/Kendra/Alexa) first. #WNBA
Just to circle back to this, if GSV keep their most expensive possible group from the current roster, they'd have over $436,000 left for the final roster spot. It wasn't a move they *needed* to make for any real cap reasons. #WNBA
Source confirms to me and @herhoopstats.com that unrestricted free agent Tiffany Hayes re-signed with the Golden State Valkyries for one year, protected, $600,000. #WNBA
Fauthoux is good, by the way. We're talking about someone who's 25, with real pro experience, and been to two Olympics. Not your typical 'development player'.
Also, it's Foe-tooks. You actually pronounce the 'x'. I got that wrong for years. #WNBA
Screencap from the WNBA Transactions page showing a "New York Liberty" entry as "None"
FWIW today's "None" is tagged to Marine Fauthoux, and the pattern so far has been that these "None"s are typically development player signings.
Would align with reporting today from @mylesehrlich.bsky.social (or, given it's the WNBA website, could be just about anything)
New BIAD interview🔥
@lindsaygibbs.bsky.social and @classicjpow.bsky.social w dive into the WNBA’s game changing offseason, from CBA talks to the 2026 draft and the era of million dollar deals.
Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=98ap...
Blue graphic with an image of a absentee ballot in the background reading "Millions of people depend on voting by mail, including: People with disabilities People juggling multiple jobs Seniors People without access to transportation Service members and their families People in rural areas And more President Trump shouldn’t be making it harder for us to vote."
President Trump’s new executive order attempts to restrict mail-in voting, which would make it more difficult for millions of people to cast a vote.
We’re taking him to court to protect our right to participate in our democracy.
Small clarification for those who asked: I believe it is "each game they are made active for". So once the dev player is made active for the game it doesn't matter whether they're DNP-CD or play all 40 minutes, it counts as one of their 12 games. #WNBA
Liberty beat reporter @classicjpow.bsky.social takes you inside Satou Sabally’s New York welcome event, where she explained why now was the time to join the Liberty.
And finally for tonight, source confirms to me and @herhoopstats.com that Kalani Brown's mutual termination (i.e. buyout) with the Phoenix Mercury is for $100,000.
So Brown gets that and becomes a UFA unless claimed off waivers, in which case existing $277,500 contract goes to new team. #WNBA
Source confirms to me and @herhoopstats.com that unrestricted free agent Myisha Hines-Allen signed with the Indiana Fever for one year, protected, $315,000. #WNBA
Can also confirm via source that cored unrestricted free agent Napheesa Collier re-signed with the Minnesota Lynx for one year, protected, $1,400,000.
Full supermax for Collier, who can't be cored again under new rules, so will be a true UFA next year. @kendra-andrews.bsky.social first. #WNBA
