The primary main occasion of the WNBA offseason is about to happen.
On Friday, the Golden State Valkyries will begin the method of constructing their 2025 roster with the league’s first growth draft since 2008.
The Liberty, together with the opposite 11 WNBA groups, needed to submit their record of the six protected gamers final week to the Valkyries.
Whereas these lists aren’t speculated to be launched, New York normal supervisor Jonathan Kolb has a reasonably apparent record of no less than 5 gamers to guard. In any case, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton and Leonie Fiebich had been the beginning lineup who led the Liberty to the franchise’s first WNBA title in October.
It’s the ultimate protecting spot that is still a query mark.
Ought to the Liberty save Nyara Sabally, who grew to become the unlikely heroine within the winner-takes-all championship finale? Or will New York see the worth in saving both veteran backups, Kayla Thornton or Courtney Vandersloot, with its final spot? What about French guard Marine Johannès or 2024 first-round decide Marquesha Davis?
Right here’s a have a look at the case for every:
Nyara Sabally
The case for safeguarding Sabally is fairly simple. The third-year ahead, whom the Liberty drafted No. 5 total in 2022, got here up enormous for New York when the crew wanted her essentially the most, recording 13 factors and 7 rebounds in 17 minutes in Sport 5 of the WNBA Finals. With out her, the Liberty don’t win a title. Sabally is younger and has loads of room to develop. Investing in that potential appears worthwhile for the Liberty, particularly in the event that they need to capitalize on their open championship window earlier than the free company monsoon that awaits the 2026 offseason.
The case in opposition to defending Sabally would primarily be her harm historical past. At 24, Sabally has already had surgical procedure twice on her proper knee after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in 2022. Sabally additionally missed the primary a part of final season with a again subject.
From the Valkyries’ perspective, Sabally could be a premier pickup for his or her inaugural roster. She’s a younger, versatile middle who nonetheless hasn’t reached her full potential. One other added bonus is that Sabally is beneath a team-friendly (rookie scale) contract via the 2026 season.
Kayla Thornton
The case for safeguarding Thornton could be that, even at 31 years previous, she was considered one of solely two Liberty gamers who performed all 40 regular-season video games. She additionally registered the crew’s sixth-most minutes final season. Availability is essential in any sport. Additionally, Thornton has offered a set off the bench for the final two seasons for New York — one thing that may’t be neglected.
The case in opposition to defending Thornton is that she isn’t the participant she was once and is on the again finish of her taking part in profession. Her alternative could possibly be present in free company or the draft.
From the Valkyries’ perspective, Thornton is a nine-year veteran who could possibly be a frontrunner on what’s going to doubtless be one of many league’s youngest groups.
Courtney Vandersloot
The case for safeguarding Vandersloot is difficult. Sure, she’s a dependable playmaker and a stable rebounder for her measurement. However Vandersloot is about to turn into an unrestricted free agent so defending a participant who might depart when the market opens appears foolish.
The case in opposition to defending Vandersloot has already been talked about. She had a decreased function within the playoffs and is about to be an unrestricted free agent, that means she might discover choices elsewhere.
From the Valkyries’ perspective, Vandersloot could be a participant to get in free company — not the growth draft. She’s a two-time WNBA champion, has led the league in assists a number of occasions and is a confirmed chief.
Marine Johannès
The case for safeguarding Johannès could be rooted within the truth she was the Liberty’s sixth participant in 2023 and averaged the second-most factors for the French nationwide crew that received silver within the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The case in opposition to defending Johannès is that the Liberty would possibly worth one other participant over her, contemplating they received a title with out her. Johannès sat out the 2024 WNBA season to concentrate on the Olympics. Whether or not she’ll play in 2025 has but to be seen.
From the Valkyries’ perspective, selecting Johannès is perhaps a danger contemplating her standing for this season isn’t clear and there’s no assure she’ll play.
