Who Will the Liberty Protect? Picking Players for the Expansion Draft

The Golden State Valkyries, a new team in the WNBA, are about to participate in the league's first expansion draft in a long time. This means the New York Liberty, along with other WNBA teams, had to choose six players they want to protect. These players can't be drafted by the Valkyries. The Liberty has some tough decisions to make. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, and Leonie Fiebich are likely to be protected. They were the starting lineup that led the team to their first WNBA title last October. But who will get the last spot? Nyara Sabally, a young forward, is a strong contender. She played a big role in the championship game, scoring 13 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in just 17 minutes. However, she has had some injuries, which might make the Liberty think twice. Kayla Thornton, a veteran backup, is another option. She played all 40 regular-season games last year and provided important bench support. But she's getting older and might not be as valuable in the future. Courtney Vandersloot is a reliable playmaker, but she's about to become a free agent. The Liberty might not want to protect a player who could leave. Marine Johannès, a French guard, is another possibility. She played well for the French national team but sat out last season to focus on the Olympics. It's unclear if she'll play this year. Each player has their pros and cons, and the Liberty will have to carefully consider who to protect.