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Sabrina Ionescu Update Emerges After Unexpected WNBA News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 11:21 AM ET

WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu is an unrestricted free agent after wrapping up her fourth consecutive All-Star season with the New York Liberty.

Ionescu averaged 18.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 2025, but the defending champions faltered in the playoffs, losing their first round series 2-1 to the Phoenix Mercury.

One year removed from the 2024 WNBA Finals title, New York sent shockwaves around the league by parting ways with head coach Sandy Brondello on Tuesday. The Australian led the Liberty to back-to-back 32-8 seasons in 2023 and 2024, culminating in the franchise's first championship last year.

They went 27-17 this season as Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart battled injuries, but the Liberty brass emphasized the unexpected decision was "in no way punitive, nor was it reactive."

With the Liberty facing significant uncertainty heading into the offseason, general manager Jonathan Kolb issued an update on Ionescu's future at a press conference on Thursday.

"I have the utmost confidence that they want to be back with us," Kolb said of Ionescu, Stewart and Jones.

New York's "Big Three" are all unrestricted free agents heading into 2026. The vast majority of WNBA teams are in the same situation this offseason, as players intentionally did not sign contracts beyond 2025 in anticipation of a new CBA and significant salary increases in 2026.

The Liberty GM added that the team is dedicated to getting the most out of Ionescu going forward, no matter who the next head coach is. According to The Athletic's Ben Pickman, New York is "looking strongly" at NBA coaches as candidates.

Jonathan Kolb on Sabrina Ionescu: "We're always evaluating what is the best backcourt partner for her, and how are we planning to use her going forward? In terms of the Tash pairing, I don't know that we really solved the off-ball production opportunities with Tash in ways that…
— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) September 25, 2025

If they can keep Ionescu and bring in a high-profile coach, New York could be an attractive destination for other WNBA free agents this offseason. However, their ruthless decision on Brondello made it clear that anyone who joins must meet an extremely high standard on the court.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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