Liberty Designate Sabrina Ionescu as Core Player

New York takes star guard off open market with supermax-eligible designation.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:07am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a WNBA basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping planes of vibrant blue, orange, and other colors, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Liberty's core designation of Sabrina Ionescu signals their commitment to building around the superstar guard as they defend their 2024 WNBA championship.NYC Today

The New York Liberty have designated star guard Sabrina Ionescu as a core player, taking one of the WNBA's biggest free agents off the open market. With the core designation, the Liberty now have exclusive negotiating rights with Ionescu and can offer her a supermax contract worth $1.4 million. The Liberty also extended qualifying offers to guards Marine Johannès and Rebekah Gardner, initiating the process for their anticipated returns to Brooklyn this season.

Why it matters

Ionescu has been a cornerstone of the Liberty since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2020, helping the team reach the WNBA Finals in two of the past three seasons and capturing the franchise's first championship in 2024. Retaining Ionescu's services is crucial as the Liberty look to defend their title with the same starting lineup that delivered the long-awaited title.

The details

The Liberty's core designation means they now have exclusive negotiating rights with Ionescu and can offer her a supermax contract worth $1.4 million. Ionescu has said since the end of last season that she plans to re-sign with New York, and she reiterated that commitment last week at USA Basketball training camp. In addition to Ionescu, the Liberty also extended qualifying offers to guards Marine Johannès and Rebekah Gardner, keeping those key reserves in the fold as free agency opens.

  • The Liberty designated Sabrina Ionescu as a core player on April 7, 2026.
  • The WNBA's official free agency negotiation period opens on April 9, 2026.

The players

Sabrina Ionescu

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft, Ionescu has spent her entire career with the Liberty and has been named an All-Star in each of the past four seasons. She helped the Liberty reach the WNBA Finals in two of the past three seasons, including winning the franchise's first championship in 2024.

Marine Johannès

A reserve guard for the Liberty, Johannès has become a fan favorite for her timely 3-point shooting and playmaking ability off the bench. She is expected to play a key role in the Liberty's offense under new head coach Chris DeMarco.

Rebekah Gardner

A 36-year-old guard, Gardner enjoyed a strong season with Athletes Unlimited and is looking to carve out a more consistent role with the Liberty this year after dealing with injuries in recent seasons. She is known for her strong defense and athletic slashing ability.

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What they’re saying

“Never thought anything different. So excited to kind of be able to sign and get started, and it's coming up really quickly.”

— Sabrina Ionescu

What’s next

The Liberty and Ionescu can now negotiate a new contract, with the supermax worth $1.4 million on the table. The team's other free agents, Johannès and Gardner, will also look to finalize deals with the Liberty as the official signing period opens on April 12, 2026.

The takeaway

By designating Sabrina Ionescu as a core player, the Liberty have ensured the return of their superstar guard and the centerpiece of the team's championship-winning roster. Retaining Ionescu's services is crucial as the Liberty aim to defend their 2024 title and continue their status as one of the WNBA's elite franchises.