On Monday, The New York Liberty announced the team had re-signed star forward Breanna Stewart, while the terms of the deal are yet to be fully disclosed.
WNBA Free Agency news: MVP Breanna Stewart has agreed to terms on a one-year, non-guaranteed below-maximum deal to return to the New York Liberty, per sources. Stewart's willingness to take less than max allows Liberty to keep intact the starting lineup that reached 2023 Finals. pic.twitter.com/bgUmZXq6fK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 26, 2024
As revealed by a league source, New York and Stewart agreed on a one-year deal below the maximum salary of $208,219 in 2024, below the supermax of $241,984.
Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb releases a statement.
“It’s a monumental day in New York as we are thrilled to welcome back the MVP, Breanna Stewart. Stewie’s return marks our unwavering commitment to excellence and our collective drive to bring a championship to New York.”
Apparently, Stewart’s salary which is less than the max allowed the Liberty to retain unrestricted free agent Jonquel Jones at a similar number.
Stewart, Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, Courtney Vandersloot, and Betnijah Laney are all back, along with key reserve Kayla Thornton. The starting lineup that advanced to the 2023 WNBA Finals is also retained.
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium had also reported that Stewart had signed a one-year deal. The Liberty had used the core designation to the two-time MVP in January, which granted exclusive negotiating rights and secured her return to the Big Apple.
As per Charania’s reports, Stewart could have earned the full supermax salary on a one-year core tender but settled for a “below-maximum” payout. The reason is to provide additional flexibility by taking a non-guaranteed salary.
Highlights, the 2023 WNBA MVP returns to the Liberty on a contract that’s team-friendly enough to permit them to keep the same starting lineup that went to the WNBA Finals last season.
