New York Liberty secure Stewart, Ionescu and Jones on multi-year deals
The New York Liberty have secured the long-term futures of their championship-winning core after agreeing multi-year contracts with Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones on Friday.
Stewart confirmed she has signed a three-year standard maximum contract worth $1.19m for the upcoming season, equating to 17% of the franchise’s salary cap.
Playmaker Ionescu has reportedly agreed to an identical deal, while standout centre Jones accepted a slightly reduced salary to ensure the team could retain all three cornerstone stars.
Championship core opts for stability
Many WNBA free agents have opted for one-year deals this off-season due to impending collective bargaining agreement negotiations next March.
However, the reigning champions’ elite trio deliberately chose long-term stability to build a basketball dynasty in Brooklyn.
“We need to make sure we’re able to really keep all the best players on the team,” Stewart explained on her podcast.
“That’s why you’ll see a few of us in the millions, and everybody else trying to get as much as they can while also having a great team.”
A historically dominant trio
Since the formation of this formidable partnership ahead of the 2023 campaign, the Eastern Conference heavyweights have set new standards across the league.
The franchise boasts a staggering 70-16 record when the three stars share the court, recording an exceptional +16.8 net rating across more than 1,700 regular-season minutes.
Two-time Finals MVP Stewart averaged 18.3 points last season, closely followed by the sharp-shooting Ionescu with 18.2 points and 5.7 assists per game.
The 2021 league MVP Jones contributed heavily in the paint, averaging 13.6 points and 8.1 rebounds during their title-winning run.
‘Historic moment’ for New York
“This is an incredibly historic moment for the New York Liberty franchise.”
Jonathan Kolb, General Manager
Kolb added that retaining the trio reflects the trust, sacrifice and shared purpose required to redefine the standard of excellence across basketball.
The former Seattle Storm forward arrived via free agency in 2023, the same year the former Connecticut Sun centre was acquired in a blockbuster trade.
Meanwhile, the former first overall pick has spent her entire professional career in New York after being drafted in 2020.
“It was always about staying here in New York, because this is home,” Jones stated.
