The New York Liberty are once again in the headlines, and this time it’s not about their stars on the court but about a looming roster shake-up that could send shockwaves through the franchise.
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Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb has hinted in recent remarks that the team may not be planning to re-sign veteran guard Natasha Cloud next season—a revelation that has left fans and analysts both stunned and divided.
Cloud, who joined the Liberty as a high-profile free agent, has been a vocal leader and defensive anchor throughout her career. Known as one of the league’s fiercest perimeter defenders and most outspoken voices on and off the court, she brought a gritty edge to a Liberty squad loaded with offensive talent.
Her presence added balance to a team headlined by Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones, making New York a legitimate championship contender.
But according to Kolb, the Liberty’s priorities moving forward might not align with keeping Cloud in the fold. In a recent interview, he spoke vaguely about the team’s future roster construction, saying they are looking for “versatility, long-term chemistry, and alignment with the system we’re building.”
When pressed about Cloud’s future specifically, Kolb dodged the question, offering only: “We’re evaluating everything. Nothing is guaranteed.”
That line alone set off alarm bells. For insiders, it read as a quiet admission that the Liberty may be preparing to move on. Some believe it’s a matter of salary cap space—the Liberty have invested heavily in Stewart, Ionescu, and Jones, which leaves little financial flexibility for veterans like Cloud.
Others point to Cloud’s sometimes polarizing presence, both in the locker room and in media narratives, as a reason Kolb might be ready to go in a different direction.
Fans, however, aren’t taking the news lightly. Many credit Cloud for giving the Liberty the kind of defensive toughness they had lacked in previous seasons. Social media quickly filled with posts defending her importance to the team, with one viral comment reading: “If you let Cloud walk, you lose the heart and grit that made us champions.”
Others, though, argue that Cloud’s shooting inconsistency and age could make her expendable, especially if the Liberty can find a younger, cheaper option at guard.
The timing of Kolb’s hint also adds fuel to the fire. Coming on the heels of the shocking firing of head coach Sandy Brondello, it paints a picture of a franchise willing to make ruthless changes in pursuit of its “vision.”
Critics worry this approach could backfire, disrupting chemistry and alienating fans who have grown attached to the players who helped bring the Liberty their long-awaited success.
Meanwhile, speculation is already swirling about where Cloud could land if New York indeed decides not to re-sign her. Teams like the Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury, and Atlanta Dream—squads in need of veteran leadership and defensive toughness—are already being floated as potential destinations. Given her resume, Cloud would have no shortage of suitors in free agency.
For now, the Liberty haven’t officially closed the door on Cloud’s return, but Kolb’s comments make it hard to imagine a reunion. If this truly is the end of Cloud’s time in New York, it will mark another seismic shift for a franchise that seems determined to prioritize its long-term vision over loyalty to proven veterans.
Whether that gamble pays off or comes back to haunt them remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Natasha Cloud’s future is now one of the biggest storylines to watch heading into the offseason, and the Liberty may soon learn just how costly it can be to let go of a player whose impact goes far beyond the box score.
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