The Liberty’s first offseason question was answered on Tuesday when the team announced that it was parting ways with Sandy Brondello.
Now for the next question: will the Liberty change its core prior to the 2026 WNBA season?
The age of the Liberty’s current core and an upcoming free agency frenzy are among the factors impacting the state of the Liberty’s roster. Plus, the league and its players have a new collective bargaining agreement to negotiate.
With that in mind, the Daily News takes a look at the issues that will may influence more changes from Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb.
AGE
Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu made this clear after their disappointing first-round exit: They want to run it back.
“Well, I’m coming back,” said Stewart, who then locked eyes with Ionescu seated near her at the postgame podium.
Ionescu nodded in agreement.
“Yeah. I mean, I think we all know… the team never looks the same every single year, and I think that’s what’s really special about what you have in your locker room, like, you can never really replicate that year in and year out. But I think we understand our core — our core players, the players who are committed to wanting to be here through the good and the bad….”
The homegrown star later added she’s “excited for next year. I think we’re gonna use this to continue to motivate us.”
A public statement of commitment from two of the Liberty’s stars is good news for those hoping to keep a championship window open. The bad news, though, is the clock is ticking for the majority of a core that’s on the later end of their primes.
Stewart will be turning 32 while playing in her 10th WNBA season in ’26. Ionescu will be 28 and in her seventh season. Jonquel Jones turns 32 in her 10th. Natasha Cloud will be 34 in her 11th. Leonie Fiebich — youngest impact Liberty performer — will be 26.
That’s three key starters on the other side of 30 and one more quickly approaching that benchmark. And that doesn’t include the reserves on the other side of 30 — Isabelle Harrison, Rebekah Gardner and Emma Meesseman.
The subject raises this issue: even if Kolb — and the players — decide to run it back, how long will this championship window stay open? And is keeping the current core a sustainable option for the future of Liberty basketball?
HEALTH
The Liberty had a ton on injuries in 2025.
In the WNBA’s longest season (44 games), Stewart was limited to 31 games. And she played hurt in Games 2 and 3 of the first-round series against the Phoenix Mercury due to a sprained MCL. Jones (ankle) also played in 31 games. Nyara Sabally (knee) appeared in just 17 games.
The Liberty’s Sixth Woman Kennedy Burke played in 36 games.
Throughout her Liberty tenure, Brondello spoke about the importance of managing starter’s minutes to ensure they aren’t beat up by the end of the year. However, the minutes still stockpiled because in tense moments, the best players are always needed.
Now, a new Liberty coach could have a different approach with how minutes are distributed.
EXPANSION DRAFTS
The WNBA is set to expand to 15 teams with the addition of two more franchises in 2026: the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.
The teams will have expansion drafts to build out their rosters, putting the Liberty at risk of having at least one key player poached.
Last season, Kayla Thornton got picked from the Liberty roster and landed in Golden State.
Each WNBA team protected up to six players on their roster for that December draft. Players not protected were up for grabs.
The rules of expansion drafts for the Tempo and Fire will be finalized upon agreement of a new CBA.
Still, the Liberty could again be in position to re-tool after losing a key contributor.
Thornton’s absence proved costly as Brondello lacked her do-it-all defender down the stretch in key matchups. Her presence was also missed as Thornton frequently kept the Liberty afloat when teammates were unavailable due to injuries — a theme in 2025.
FREE AGENCY FRENZY
Assuming the league and the players association come to terms on a new CBA this fall, the WNBA will finally experience its highly-anticipated free agency. Nearly every player will enter this winter as an unrestricted free agent with teams expected to be loaded with more cash than ever to be distributed thanks to escalating national television deals.
The player movement will be historic, which means potential changes for Liberty unrestricted free agents: Stewart, Ionescu, Cloud, Jones, Cloud, Burke, Harrison, Meesseman and Stephanie Talbot.
The Liberty players made their intentions clear of wanting to run it back, but what if Kolb has different plans?
If there was a chance to get younger, this winter is the time to do it. And if the GM had doubts about one of the best head coaches in WNBA history, it’s possible he could have doubts about players — even the stars — and how they fit on the current roster.
For example, Jones — the 6-6 engine of the team and 2024 playoff hero — will be five years removed from her MVP season at the end of 2026 campaign. She’s no doubt still in All-Star form and in the upper echelon of WNBA players, but a potential long-term deal ages her in Liberty seafoam as the rest of the league gets better, faster and loaded with collegiate and international prospects.
It’s a decision Kolb has to make: run it back for a short championship window or re-tool and prepare for a more sustainable future.
