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Sabrina Ionescu holds the key to Liberty offseason after playoff disappointment

The New York Liberty’s playoff run ended abruptly last week when they fell to the Atlanta Dream in three straight games, capping off another season of frustration after their 2024 championship. With a roster laden with expensive veterans—including Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, both nearing 33 by the 2027 season—and a first-year coach under pressure, the team faces a critical offseason.

Sabrina Ionescu, the franchise’s cornerstone since being selected first overall in 2020, has struggled with consistency, shooting under 30% from three for two straight seasons, including a dismal playoff performance where she averaged just 7.3 points over two games. The Liberty’s failed experiment with Satou Sabally, plagued by concussions, further complicates their cap situation, making a trade for Ionescu—despite her historic role in the 2024 title—a plausible but risky move.

Portland’s financial flexibility and the potential to sign top free agent Napheesa Collier could make a swap advantageous, though the Liberty’s deep attachment to their core trio of Ionescu, Stewart, and Jones may deter action. General manager Jonathan Kolb’s boldness in past moves, however, suggests the team won’t shy away from drastic solutions if playoff success remains elusive.

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