Liberty re-sign Stewart to reported 1-year, below-max deal
The New York Liberty are re-signing two-time WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart, the team announced Monday.
Stewart's deal will reportedly be a one-year, non-guaranteed, below-maximum contract, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Stewart's discounted deal allows the Liberty to keep their star-studded starting lineup intact, adds Charania.
The 29-year-old is the reigning MVP. She received the honor after averaging a career-high 23 points last year to go along with 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game. It was her first time capturing the award with the Liberty, as she spent her first six campaigns with the Seattle Storm.
New York's starting five of Stewart, point guard Courtney Vandersloot, sharpshooter Sabrina Ionescu, defensive stopper Betnijah Laney, and 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones each boast at least one All-Star appearance.
While the Liberty ran through the Eastern Conference with a 32-8 record, they came up short in the WNBA Finals, falling in four games to the equally dominant Las Vegas Aces.
Stewart has WNBA titles under her belt from her time with the Storm, but the Liberty have never won a championship since joining the league in 1997.