Breanna Stewart continues to be a dominant presence for the New York Liberty as the WNBA trade deadline approaches, but questions remain about whether the team’s current roster composition can support a championship run. While Stewart ranks among the league’s top players and is emerging as a potential contender for Defensive Player of the Year, the Liberty have struggled to consistently perform at the level expected of a title contender.
New York entered the trade deadline window with a 16-12 record, sitting 6½ games behind the league leaders. Despite recent improvements, including a 29-point, seven-assist performance by Stewart and a 27-point outing from Sabrina Ionescu in a 113-109 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on Tuesday, the team has yet to establish itself as a dominant force. This win marked the Liberty’s third consecutive victory following the All-Star break, but general manager Jonathan Kolb faces ongoing pressure to make roster adjustments.
The Liberty’s defense has been a key concern, ranking 14th out of 15 teams in July and surrendering nearly 96 points per game during the month. Injuries have significantly impacted New York’s depth and defensive capabilities, particularly the extended absences of Leonie Fiebich and Satou Sabally. Fiebich’s prolonged absence has left a notable void on the wing and in the frontcourt. Meanwhile, Sabally, the team’s most significant offseason acquisition, remains sidelined in concussion protocol after five weeks, with no concrete timeline for her return. Coach Chris DeMarco has indicated she has begun reconditioning, but the unpredictable nature of concussion recovery, especially following her second head injury in less than a year, leaves her availability and effectiveness uncertain.
With the current roster facing these challenges, the Liberty are weighing potential moves ahead of the Sunday trade deadline. Kolb has access to several trade assets, including future draft picks and players such as Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, who has been a healthy scratch for four straight games and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next year. Other players like Rebecca Allen, Rebekah Gardner, Marine Johannès, and possibly even Sabally could be considered in trades if the return strengthens the team’s title prospects. Raquel Carrera is viewed as a promising player for the future, but questions remain about her readiness to impact the playoffs this season.
Chris DeMarco, in his first year as head coach, has said that anything short of a championship would be a disappointment for the Liberty. With Stewart performing at an elite level and the team’s championship window open, New York faces a critical period to bolster its roster and address its on-court deficiencies before the postseason begins.