|
“I’m going to just set the record straight here," she said. "I
will be staying in New York. I’m not planning on taking any free
agency meetings, even though I am an unrestricted free agent. My
family is set up here. We’re solid here... I’m going to be back
in New York, and that’s all there is to it.”
Ionescu later said at USA Basketball camp that she, too, is not
going anywhere.
“I'm where I'm supposed to be. I never thought anything
different,” Ionescu said Wednesday. “Excited to get all this (CBA
negotiations), you know, behind us and to be able to start our
season and get going in New York.”
Stewart and Ionescu could potentially be million-dollar players
for the Liberty as the new CBA has major salary bumps and a
supermax salary of nearly $1.4 million.
Both players helped lead the franchise to its first championship
in 2024. The team lost to Phoenix in the quarterfinals of the
playoffs this past season.
While Stewart and Ionescu are staying put, the Liberty face
uncertainty about the rest of their team. More than 80% of the
league are free agents this year, as many players have expiring
contracts or opted out of the previous collective bargaining
agreement.
"I think it’s going to be difficult because you’re kind of, you
know, forcing players and teams to make decisions really
quickly," Ionescu said. “They kind of had to prepare for a quick
flip and a short amount of time with decisions being made in
free agency being such a short window, but I do think we're
going to see a lot of change.”
The league has not yet announced when free agency will start.
The regular season begins on May 8.
___
AP Sports Writer Maura Carey contributed to this report.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
