The WNBA’s 2024 training camps are underway and the New York Liberty has begun their training camp battle for a trio of roster spots. Returning from last season are 2023 WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Courtney Vandersloot, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Jonquel Jones, Kayla Thornton, and Nyara Sabally. Additionally, Kennedy Burke, Ivana Dojkić, and Leonie Fiebich (via a trade) were acquired during free agency. 2024 draftees include Marquesha Davis (11th pick), Esmery Martinez (17th pick), and Jessika Carter (23rd pick).
The Liberty’s third-round pick, Kaitlyn Davis, will not participate in training camp this year due to overseas commitments. Additional participants are the Liberty’s 2023 third-round pick, Okako Adika, plus Brianna Fraser, Rita Igbokwe, Stephanie Mawuli, and Jaylyn Sherrod.
Not returning this season are Han Xu, Stefanie Dolson (now with Washington), Epiphanny Prince (retired), Jocelyn Willoughby (now with Connecticut), and [possibly] Marine Johannès. The Liberty’s training camp roster sits at 18 players with Fiebich, Sabally, Dojkić, and Mawuli arriving late due to overseas obligations.
Salary Cap Limits for the New York Liberty
Once again, the Liberty head into the second straight season with a crunch on their salary cap. Team general manager Jonathan Kolb said about carrying 11 players but can add a 12th around “early July”.
Let’s break down the locks on the roster courtesy of HerHoopsStats.com salary cap sheet. Guaranteed [protected] contracts for the Liberty are Vandersloot, Jones, Laney-Hamilton, Thornton, and Burke. Though unprotected, Stewart and Ionescu are to be considered locks to make the roster. That’s seven spots locked up.
Sabally should be a lock heading into her sophomore season. While overseas in the Czech Republic, she averaged 13.4 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, and shot 67.7 percent from the field. With Dolson and Han out of the picture, Sabally should be the Liberty’s first post off of the bench this season.
The New York Liberty’s first-round pick, Marquesha Davis, is already making an impression at training camp. Both Kolb and head coach Sandy Brondello were high on Davis heading into the draft. A versatile guard/wing combo that plays strong defense, can attack the basket, and occasionally hits a three-pointer.
Final Two [or Three] Spots
Due to salary cap limits, the New York Liberty would now have only two roster spots available. Germany’s Leonie Fiebich should secure that tenth spot for New York. Fiebich is a star in Europe, currently playing for Zaragoza in Spain. She’s a versatile 6’4″ wing who’s also a strong defensive presence and can score from anywhere on the court. Locking in Fiebich should be a near guarantee as long as she’s seen as a solid rotation player for Kolb and Brondello.
We’re down to one spot remaining. At the moment, the Liberty need a point guard off the bench but could also use some insurance in the post. Both Ionescu and Laney-Hamilton are capable point guards as could be Burke. In 2023, both Jones and Sabally missed time due to injuries and any injuries on an 11-player roster will stretch any team thin.
Dojkić was solid for the Seattle Storm midseason in 2023 before being released due to overseas commitments. However, the Liberty could secure a long-term project to develop Jaylyn Sherrod. She averaged 12.8 ppg, 5.1 assists per game, 2.1 steals per game, and shot 44.5 percent from the field in her senior season at Colorado.
A fifth post seems unlikely but could be secured down the road as the team’s 12th player. Both Esmery Martinez and Jessika Carter are making strong efforts in training camp. There’s also the possibility of Johannès returning to the Liberty after the Olympics. However, her need to join the team on a roster stocked with guards may be unnecessary. Furthermore, adding back one of Martinez or Carter would secure them for the 2025 season and allow them to develop their game while with the Liberty.
Final Prediction
- PG: Vandersloot/Dojkić
- SG: Ionescu/Burke/Davis
- SF: Laney-Hamilton/Fiebich
- PF: Stewart/Thornton
- C: Jones/Sabally
- 12th addition mid-July: Carter
The New York Liberty kick off their 2024 season on Tuesday, May 14 against the Washington Mystics. The Liberty’s home opener is Saturday, May 18 against Indiana at 1 pm and will be televised on ABC.
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