As the WNBA season approaches, teams are beginning to prepare for the upcoming expansion draft, which is scheduled to take place early this year. The expansion draft will enable the new Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire teams to assemble their initial rosters ahead of their inaugural seasons in the W.
Each existing team in the league will be allowed to protect five players — a decrease from last year’s six in the 2025 expansion draft to establish the Golden State Valkyries.
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The New York Liberty have several players they wants to protect; however, they must also navigate changes in the league as a result of the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA).
While the Liberty are expected to protect their core players, who fill spots one through four, the question on Liberty fans’ minds is, who will their fifth choice be?
What’s Going on with the CBA?
The expansion draft has been delayed due to tense CBA negotiations, which could cause further delays and potential work stoppages if an agreement is not reached by January 9. The current CBA expired on October 31 and was extended through January 9, with hopes that the two sides could reach an agreement.
If the WNBA and the WNBPA can’t reach an agreement, the league would enter a period of “status quo,” in which the current CBA would be upheld, and further negotiations would occur. Without a necessary extension to the negotiations, however, the WNBPA has discussed potential strikes. In a historic vote with 93% participation of eligible players, 98% voted in favor of authorizing a strike “when necessary.”
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In an interview with ESPN, WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike said that the strikes represent a “symbol of our unity and the confidence that we have in each other to be able to give ourselves some level of authority in these negotiations.” She also notes that while the vote authorized a strike, it doesn’t mean that a strike is imminent or desired by players.
Teams, players, and the WNBA alike are eager to see an end to the CBA, with hopes of having a timely 2026 season. Once the CBA is resolved, teams can refocus their attention on the expansion draft and definitively announce their protected players.
Ionescu and Cloud Are Set to Be Protected
According to the current CBA, expansion teams cannot draft unrestricted free agents who have already exhausted their core eligibility, which includes two of the Liberty’s big three, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones. These players have already played their minimum two seasons under core contracts and thus remain ineligible for expansion without the formal protection of their team. This frees up two spots for the Liberty, putting them in a favorable position to protect even more of their roster.
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To round out the big three, the Liberty will protect starting guard Sabrina Ionescu. Drafted as the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, Ionescu has been integral to the Liberty’s success, leading them to their first championship in 2024.
With an absolutely cutthroat three-point shot and offensive skills, Ionescu has improved greatly on the defensive end, earning praise from former Head Coach Sandy Brondello.
The Liberty should also protect Natasha Cloud, a recent but immensely impactful addition to the roster.
Since arriving in New York last season, Cloud has improved her game and has had what appeared to be a seamless transition onto the team. In the absence of Laney-Hamilton, Cloud filled the guard/wing role with a quickness and efficient style of play. Her ability to pressure her opponents, anticipate moves, and switch across positions was vital to the Liberty’s early success this season.
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Laney-Hamilton and Fiebich Should Also Be Safe
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton is also expected to be protected by the Liberty. She sat out the 2025 season due to a knee injury she sustained during the 2025 Unrivaled season, which placed her on the suspended contract list.
By suspending her during a contract year, the Liberty maintained her exclusive negotiation rights for this upcoming season. Her role on the defensive was greatly missed, and the Liberty should be excited to have her back.
Lastly, the Liberty should protect Leonie Fiebich, the team’s forward. Fiebich played a key role last season in the Liberty’s championship win, and she sports a high basketball IQ that makes her a vital asset. At the age of 25 and playing only her second season with the Liberty, she has already made an impact and still has plenty of room to grow on this team.
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Who Options Do Liberty Have at Pick No. 5?
The Liberty’s fifth choice has been a point of contention, as their current roster includes many assets they would be interested in protecting. Among this list are Emma Meesseman, Marine Johannes, and Nyara Sabally.
Meesseman has certainly proved herself as a necessary member of the Liberty, arriving midseason to replace an injured Breanna Stewart. In just 17 games, she held a field goal percentage of 57.2% and an average of 13.4 points and 3.2 assists per game. Her facilitative and offensive skills were key to saving the Liberty from what could have been a disastrous season.
Johannes has played all of her WNBA seasons since 2019 with the Liberty, barring brief hiatuses to play overseas in France and Turkey. This season, Johannes has averaged 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and a 39.7% field goal percentage. Her role on the offensive line has been consistent, taking some offensive pressure off Ionescu.
Drafted in 2022 as New York’s first-round pick, Sabally had a breakout performance during the 2024 playoffs. This season, however, she was held to just 17 games, down from 26 in 2024.
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She did improve in other areas, averaging 5.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. In the final year of her rookie deal, the Liberty may want to continue developing Sabally and facilitate another standout season. With her injury history, however, she may be riskier than other players, which is a factor worth considering.
Who Should the Liberty Pick?
Any of these three players would be a reasonable choice for protection, but I believe the Liberty should save Emma Meesseman.
Despite her choice to play overseas for three seasons before her time with the Liberty, Meesseman has established herself as a force of scoring and rebounding in a time when the Liberty couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Her ability to join a team midseason and facilitate the way she did would make her an asset to both Toronto and Portland, making her a player the Liberty should prioritize protecting.
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Currently, her numbers are better than Johannes’ and Sabally’s, bringing stability to the roster that will be necessary after the Liberty’s early playoff exit and recent staff changes.
Fans can look forward to January 9 as a hopeful conclusion to this tense CBA negotiation as teams gear up for the expansion draft and the 2026 season tip-off in May.
The post Who Will the New York Liberty Protect in WNBA Expansion Draft? appeared first on The Lead.
