When you’re starting a season as the defending champions, you better believe the target is on your back. Coming off their first chip, the Liberty plan to do something only the Aces have done in the past two decades. Retain their title. While the likes of Aces and Clark’s Indiana Fever have significantly bolstered their squads in the offseason, the New York Liberty have been dealing with injuries. The elite core featuring Stewie, Ionescu, and reigning Finals MVP Jonquel Jones is still intact, and the goal heading into training camp is to find players who can complement their abilities. Liberty must prepare; the league is coming for their heads.

Liberty’s offseason saw key players leave the Big Apple. Versatile forward Kayla Thornton was picked up by the Valkyries as part of the expansion draft while Courtney Vandersloot headed back to Chicago, where she won her first championship in 2021. “I want to be valued, I want to have the ball in my hands and be able to create the way that I can. And just be in a place that is comfortable for me and my family,” she said of her move.

The departure of “The General” left a hole in the squad that achieved back-to-back 30+ win seasons, a feat that had never been achieved before. This hole could only be filled by another star facilitator. Enter Natasha Cloud. Having led the WNBA in assists per game, she displays exceptional passing and court vision. Pair that with the multiple selections to All-Defensive Teams, and there are very few players who give you as much as Tash does.

“I thought it was a great start. And like, I always said, you can’t bring back the same when you win and we have a real good, nice freshness about us,” New York coach Sandy Brondello said. “We’ve got some players that were really going to help us. Obviously, you know, no one greater than Natasha Cloud,” While the coach remains filled with appreciation for Natasha, you’d think fans and teammates would take time warming up to her. Especially given their history.

The 2023 Playoffs series between the Mystics and Liberty saw Natasha Cloud take on the job of a lockdown defender in an attempt to stop Sabrina. While the intense series ended in a mini-sweep, the matchup between Cloud and Ionescu had the Barclays Center buzzing.

“I knew I talked s***, and I know I was in Sabrina’s stuff and I know I took a few hard fouls on her,” Cloud said after the game. “Even though I take that villain role in the game, I have a lot of respect for who Sabrina is, what she is to our league, who she is as a player. Iron sharpens iron, that’s what I said to her … I really do respect her as a player, enough that I had to make her my primary focus in Game 2.” Cloud, who received a standing ovation in New York, said after the game. While teaming up rivals is never a good idea in a GM’s book, the Unrivaled league helped make it possible for Jonathan Kolb.

The two had shared the court for the Phantom Club in Breanna’s own Unrivaled league. During their time in Unrivaled, Cloud acted as a mentor to the young star. “We instantly kind of connected at Unrivaled. When these talks came, I felt very comfortable with playing with her at Unrivaled. I think that I helped Sab a lot.” The great chemistry they developed in the 3-on-3 league was at the forefront as Cloud poured heaps of praise on Sabrina.

Still, Natasha Cloud knows the quality in this side extends beyond just Ionescu. “She’s one of the greatest players in our league. But with that, I have a chance to make a lot of franchise players really great, and that’s the exciting part for me as the point guard, playing alongside all these players,” she said.

With the supposed beef having been squashed and mutual respect shining through between the two stars, the Liberty squad would gladly welcome this gladiator into their ranks. As for their fierce competition in the past, Cloud described it best, knowing well she can be a horror to face.

“I’m your worst enemy on the opposing team every single night, so they probably think I’m an a-shole,” she joked about her teammates. As the Liberty prepare to defend their title, they know they can rely on Natasha to create for their sea of scorers, potentially making for a team that will be strong contenders for the title yet again. With a squad that appears iron-clad, looming health issues could be the only kink in the Liberty armor.

Defending the coveted crown

While any title defense is difficult in its own right, the team’s ability to compete hinges on the performance of their core. Replacing Vandersloot in the squad is Natasha, who is more than adept at filling the role. However, Sandy Bronello must ensure the integration happens quick, and the player’s history with Sabrina is sure to help with that. Although the Liberty appear strong, injury to another key player can be disastrous for their season. Having already taken a hit from Hamilton’s injury, the team has kept moving forward. However, the next one might knock them out.

Forward Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season due to injury. Laney-Hamilton was a critical player for the Liberty in last year’s championship run. Often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s most dangerous perimeter player, she might not lead the scoring at all times, but consistently popped up at crucial moments, providing timely baskets. While the “Core Four” of Stewart, Ionescu, Jones, and Vandersloot often garnered headlines, Laney-Hamilton’s consistent two-way play and leadership were vital to the team’s success. Her absence impacts both ends of the court and reduces the team’s depth, but another potential injury appears far more grave.

The undisputed star, Breanna Stewart, underwent surgery on her meniscus in the offseason after Unrivaled ended. “I just needed to kind of clean up things in there and clean up the meniscus,” she said. “And, it was just a little bit uncomfortable to be dealing with. And I want to when I’m on the floor, I want to be playing and free flowing and not really thinking about other things.” She had been dealing with the discomfort since the finals had ended and waited until after Unrivaled to get it right again. While she feels great and hopes to get integrated into live practice starting next week, she is still only on her way to recovery.

Reaching the summit is tough, but staying there is tougher. Can the Liberty fight off the rest of the WNBA? The cost, if they don’t, will be their WNBA crown.