The New York Liberty were already terrifying. But with a single roster move—one that blindsided fans, analysts, and even opposing players—the defending WNBA champions just escalated from “title favorites” to “how is this even allowed?” territory. And at the center of it all is a name that once changed the course of a Finals: Emma Meesseman.
During a seemingly ordinary broadcast, the announcers dropped a bombshell that detonated across the WNBA:
Emma Meesseman, 2019 WNBA Finals MVP, is signing with the New York Liberty.
At first, even diehard fans thought they misheard. Analyst Jessica Benson put it best:
“Hold on, am I tripping? Is there another Emma? Because that Emma won Finals MVP.”
No, there is no other Emma.
It’s that Emma—one of the most complete international talents of her generation, a player many consider the best non-WNBA player on the planet, and the star who helped lead the Washington Mystics to their 2019 championship.
And now she’s headed to the Liberty.
A MOVE SO WILD IT FEELS UNFAIR—BUT PERFECTLY LEGAL
The Liberty are already loaded with generational talent—Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and reigning Finals MVP Jonquel Jones. But adding Meesseman takes them into outright superteam territory. It’s the kind of move that makes rival GMs stare at the sky and wonder what they did in a past life to deserve this.
New York somehow had the cap flexibility to sign her.
She somehow chose them over multiple suitors.
And the league somehow allowed this to happen.
It doesn’t just feel unfair—it feels criminal.
But the paperwork checks out.
The only thing standing between Meesseman and her Liberty debut is her visa processing, with early August circled as the expected clearance window.
Once she lands, the Liberty will have three different Finals MVPs on the same roster:
- Emma Meesseman (2019)
- Breanna Stewart (2018, 2020)
- Jonquel Jones (2024)
That’s not depth.
That’s an arsenal.
WHY MEESSEMAN MATTERS MORE THAN PEOPLE REALIZE
Even at 32, Meesseman is nowhere near slowing down. She was recently crowned EuroBasket MVP, once again proving she’s the engine of Belgium’s golden generation. She’s been a star for Belgium since age 16 and just last year lit up the Olympics, reportedly leading the women’s field in scoring.
Her game is built on elite fundamentals, absurd IQ, effortless passing, and the ability to score without ever disrupting offensive rhythm. She never needs to dominate the ball—but she always impacts winning.
For the Liberty, she’s the perfect weapon.
Better yet? She’s already played with or been coached by several Liberty players.
There’s built-in chemistry. There’s history. There’s trust.
When Meesseman arrives, she won’t be starting from scratch. She’ll be sliding back into a system that already fits her strengths.
COULD THE LIBERTY GO SUPER-JUMBO?
Benson floated a terrifying possibility:
Meesseman + Stewart + Jonquel Jones in the same lineup.
Three elite forwards.
All 6’4 or taller.
All with MVP-caliber talent.
All capable of passing, switching, and scoring inside-out.
It’s the kind of lineup that breaks basketball geometry—and potentially the league.
Even if Meesseman doesn’t start, the Liberty’s depth becomes absurd. Load management becomes easier.
Jonquel Jones—who has battled injuries—can rest without the team falling apart.
Breanna Stewart can preserve her legs for the postseason.
This isn’t just a signing.
It’s postseason insurance.
It’s the ultimate competitive advantage.
NEW YORK’S TRAJECTORY JUST SHIFTED—AGAIN
Earlier this season, the Liberty opened 9–0, only to fall closer to .500 as injuries and fatigue piled up. But every time the team looks vulnerable, another star returns and they surge again.
With Jonquel Jones in the lineup, New York is 8–1, with their lone loss coming in the game she exited early due to injury.
Add Meesseman to that?
The ceiling becomes outrageous.
New York suddenly looks like a team capable of doing the unthinkable: becoming the first franchise in two decades to repeat as champions.
BENEFITING FROM FRIENDSHIPS, CONNECTIONS… AND MAYBE A LITTLE TAMER OUTSIDE THE LINES?
Meesseman has played professionally with multiple Liberty stars. She was once coached by Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello. Chemistry isn’t just possible—it’s already there.
Analysts joked about tampering, but the truth is simpler:
Players recruit players.
Relationships matter.
And when New York calls, players pick up the phone.
Meesseman clearly saw a roster she trusted… and a championship window wide open.
THE REST OF THE LEAGUE IS PANICKING—ESPECIALLY THE LYNX AND MERCURY
The Minnesota Lynx currently sit ahead of New York in the standings, but that cushion is evaporating. With Jonquel Jones fully healthy and Meesseman inbound, New York’s second-half surge feels inevitable.
The Phoenix Mercury, another rising threat, now face a terrifying question:
How do you stop a team with this many elite forwards?
No one has an answer.
THE FEVER SIDE STORY: CATALYN CLARK’S HEALTH HANGS OVER EVERYTHING
While the Liberty celebrate an outrageous midseason upgrade, the Indiana Fever face the opposite problem: survival without Caitlin Clark.
Clark, dealing with recurring lower-body issues, missed the Liberty game and remains day-to-day. The Fever can stay competitive without her, but cannot truly contend. Some analysts even suggest shutting her down temporarily to avoid long-term damage.
The contrast is brutal:
While New York keeps adding stars, Indiana sinks or swims based entirely on Clark’s health.
The Liberty have the luxury of depth.
The Fever have the weight of a franchise on one rookie’s legs.
It’s a league of extremes—and Meesseman’s arrival widens that gap even more.
BOTTOM LINE
The New York Liberty didn’t just make a smart signing.
They made a league-shifting power play.
When Emma Meesseman clears her visa and steps onto the court, the WNBA landscape will tilt.
And every contender—Lynx, Aces, Mercury, Sun—will feel that shift instantly.
Because this isn’t just another roster move.
This is a declaration.
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