Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty have reached an agreement on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal worth below the max, according to the Athletic’s Shams Charania. Stewart and the Liberty are coming off a runner-up finish losing to the Las Vegas Aces. By re-signing, the Liberty now have one of the best rosters in the WNBA once again.
Breanna Stewart Re-Signs with Liberty on a Below-Max Deal
WNBA Free Agency news: MVP Breanna Stewart has agreed to terms on a one-year, non-guaranteed below-maximum deal to return to the New York Liberty, per sources. Stewart’s willingness to take less than max allows Liberty to keep intact the starting lineup that reached 2023 Finals. pic.twitter.com/bgUmZXq6fK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 26, 2024
This deal gives the Liberty financial flexibility. This at the very least, allows them the ability to improve the roster in multiple ways.
Below Max Deal for Team Flexibility
The reigning MVP was given a core designation in January. Under the core designation, ‘Stew-York’ was only allowed to negotiate a new contract with the Liberty. She had the option to receive the full supermax salary with a one-year core tender but opted for a payout less than the maximum in the team’s best interests.
Taking the below-maximum deal allows the Liberty to keep their starting lineup intact. They finished the season with a 32-8 record and reached the 2023 WNBA Final.
With Stewart’s re-signing, the Liberty not only keeps a two-time MVP on their roster but also creates room under the salary cap to bring in more talent. They also have Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones under contract.
Breanna Stewart signed with the Liberty during the WNBA free agency period last offseason. She spent the first six seasons of her career with the Seattle Storm.
In her first season with the Liberty, she posted a career-best average of 23 points per game, along with 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.5 steals, with shooting splits of 46.5% from the field, 35.5% from behind the 3point line and 85.1% from the charity stripe.
