Report: Breanna Stewart returns to Liberty on 1-year deal

Reigning WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart is returning to the New York Liberty for the 2024 season on a one-year deal for less than the maximum, The Athletic reported Monday.

Stewart, 29, took less money in order to keep intact the starting lineup that advanced to the WNBA finals last year, per the report. The Liberty lost 3-1 to the Las Vegas Aces, who enter the 2024 campaign as two-time defending champs.

Stewart averaged a career-high 23.0 points per game in 2023 but was held to 18.4 during the postseason.

Stewart is a two-time MVP and five-time All-Star to go with the two WNBA titles she won with Seattle (2018, 2020).

Stewart led the Liberty last season in points, rebounds (9.3), steals (1.5) and blocks (1.6). She's back alongside the Liberty core of Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney, Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot.

Stewart averages 20.8 points and 8.7 rebounds in 223 career games (all starts) since the Storm selected her No. 1 overall out of UConn in 2016.