Jonquel Jones intends to re-sign with the New York Liberty for the upcoming WNBA season, Jones’s agent confirmed. Jones was a key piece of the Liberty’s starting five last season during the team’s run to its first WNBA Finals appearance since 2002. Jackie Powell from ‘The Next‘ was the first to report the news.
Jones was traded to the Liberty from the Sun in January 2023. While in Connecticut, Jones was named the 2021 WNBA MVP, was a four-time All-Star and was named to the All-WNBA First Team. She signed a one-year deal with the Liberty worth over $208,000 and was one of the most sought-after free agents, receiving significant interest from teams across the league before the Jan. 20 start of WNBA free agency.
A Catalyst For the Liberty
In her first season with the Liberty, Jones got off to a slow start after suffering a foot injury in the 2022 WNBA Finals while also looking to find her role on a new team. After the All-Star break, Jones came alive, averaging 12.8 points per game and 10.5 rebounds and being named the MVP of the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game with a win over the Las Vegas Aces.
Jones was one of the most important players for New York during the playoffs, averaging 17.0 points and 11.6 rebounds in 34.7 minutes. She had a huge impact on the defensive end and was confident in her shot, both in the paint and from distance.
A Will to Win
In her exit interview after a Game 4 loss to the Aces in the Finals, Jones said she wanted to continue to chase her first WNBA championship after coming up short twice with the Sun and once with the Liberty.
“We’d be able to do it with the group we have,” Jones said. “Every team will be trying to add pieces, even Vegas who won… I do think, if I did stay, we’d be able to grow and be successful.”
Other teammates shared the same sentiment and desire to keep Jones, including Sabrina Ionescu, who said, “JJ staying is a key part of what we’re building here. Being able to see her growth through this year was nothing short of amazing, and she’s the reason we got as far as we did.”
Building For the 2024 Season
The 2023 Liberty starting five will all stay in New York, including Breanna Stewart, who was cored. She is only allowed to negotiate a new contract with the Liberty and indicated she plans to return to the team. Ionescu, Betnijah Laney and Courtney Vandersloot are all signed for 2024. The Liberty may also target players in free agency and the WNBA draft to add depth and experience to a team looking to get to the Finals again and win its first-ever championship.