Liberty common supervisor Jonathan Kolb expects guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton to make a “full return” from a left meniscus damage.
However a return seemingly received’t come throughout the 2025 season, main the final supervisor to imagine “it’s fair to assume we will be suspending that contract.”
“First off, heart breaks for Betnijah,” Kolb mentioned about Laney-Hamilton, who averaged 9.5 factors, 3.3 rebounds and a couple of.2 assists whereas typically masking the opposing staff’s greatest perimeter participant in 2024. “I think everyone in this room knows how much she means to this organization, what she means to our fan base, and how she’s been a major part of our success.”
Laney-Hamilton suffered the damage whereas taking part in Unmatched — the brand new 3-on-3 professional league — as a reduction participant throughout the winter. The staff introduced on March 31 that the 31-year-old would return to basketball actions in 5-6 months. On the time, that timeline would’ve projected a attainable postseason return for the two-way star.
Now, it’s virtually sure she received’t swimsuit up in any respect for this season’s title protection.
The transaction isn’t official, however suspending Laney-Hamilton’s contract would open up an additional roster spot going into the season. It additionally erases Laney-Hamilton’s 2025 wage ($185,400) off the books, which provides the Liberty extra flexibility to signal gamers all through the season.
The transaction would additionally basically flip Laney-Hamilton, who was initially anticipated to be an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the 2025 season, right into a reserve participant.
“It takes that money off of our cap. We’re able to carry 12 players, and then we also maintain negotiating rights next year,” Kolb mentioned earlier than Saturday’s coaching camp observe at Barclays Heart. “So as we take all that into account. You know, I think it’s more likely than not, that by the start of the season, that will be the thing.”
Shedding Laney-Hamilton — months after the Liberty misplaced key bench participant Kayla Thornton within the growth draft — is a tricky impediment to beat for Sandy Brondello’s roster.
The Liberty, although, may see a clearer pathway to retain a few of their cheaper gamers after coaching camp. Kennedy Burke’s probabilities had been already excessive to remain in hopes to meet the void left from Thornton‘s departure.
Rebekah Gardner, a guard introduced into the staff for protection, additionally will get a greater probability to remain on the staff with freed up cap area. The identical goes for brand new Liberty signee Isabelle Harrison. If the Liberty intend to go away coaching camp with a full energetic roster — 12 gamers — younger guards Jaylyn Sherrod and Marquesha Davis may discover themselves on the staff to start out the season.
The entrance workplace may go one other route and signal gamers that had been launched elsewhere and have them on the squad.
The added flexibility will come in useful when three key gamers — Marine Johannes (France), Nyara Sabally (German) and Leonie Fiebich (Germany) — go away the Liberty in June to symbolize their respective nations within the EuroBasket match. Kolb confirmed Saturday that the trio are anticipated to take part within the match.
“It can’t be overstated. National teams mean everything to these players,” Kolb mentioned.
