New York Liberty’s Courtney Vandersloot is keeping her options wide open this offseason, sparking enough buzz to keep WNBA fans hitting refresh on their browsers. After a rollercoaster 2024 season, the $383,670 contract-holder seems ready to bet on herself in free agency, with a mix of nostalgia, ambition, and a sprinkle of sass.
Last year, Breanna Stewart and the Liberty finally broke through to win a WNBA championship after falling short the previous season. However, as they gear up to defend their crown in 2025, one key player might not be back for the encore.
Vandersloot, who joined the Liberty in 2023 on a two-year deal, recently hinted she’s ready to take her talents elsewhere. While speaking with the media, she dropped the kind of cryptic, yet refreshingly candid statements that could make even an NBA superstar blush.
“I want to be valued. I want to be competitive,” Vandersloot declared, probably while side-eyeing the Liberty’s front office. “I want to have the ball in my hands and be able to create the way I think I can. And, you know, just be in a place that’s comfortable for me and my family.”
Translation? “I’m not here for a retirement tour where I babysit the bench. Give me the rock—or I’m out.”
A Dip in the Numbers—and Minutes
It’s no secret that Vandersloot’s role diminished in 2024. The 35-year-old played just 22.3 minutes per game, the lowest of her storied career. Her averages of 6.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists weren’t exactly screaming “All-Star.”
But let’s cut her some slack—Vandersloot’s basketball IQ is still sharper than a referee’s whistle. Her diminished role wasn’t about talent; it was about the Liberty’s embarrassment of riches. Sharing the court with Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu is like trying to be the third lead in a blockbuster—inevitable overshadowing.
Still, Vandersloot isn’t ready to hang up her high tops. Far from it. She’s testing the waters of free agency, determined to find a team that lets her cook.
From WNBA Star to Unrivaled Opportunist
But wait, there’s more. If you thought Vandersloot was just riding into free agency with a hopeful smile, think again. She’s got a secret weapon: Unrivaled, the shiny new three-on-three league spearheaded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier.
Unrivaled, which debuts on January 17, boasts 36 WNBA stars spread across six teams. Vandersloot, naturally, is part of the “Mist Basketball Club,” a squad dripping with talent and coached by former LA Lakers assistant Phil Handy. Alongside Stewart, Jewell Loyd, and Aaliyah Edwards, Vandersloot has a chance to shine in a format that plays right into her creative playmaking style.
And let’s be real, a little three-on-three action might just be the fountain of youth Vandersloot needs. Less court to cover, more opportunities to dazzle—it’s like a pick-up game with higher stakes and cooler jerseys.
Free Agency Meets the Fast Break
Vandersloot’s participation in Unrivaled isn’t just about fun—it’s a savvy career move. The league gives her a high-profile stage to remind everyone why she’s still a point guard worth investing in. If she lights it up, her free-agent stock could rise faster than a half-court buzzer-beater.
Her first test? A clash against the Lunar Owls on January 17. With Breanna Stewart as her partner in basketball crime, Mist is expected to dominate the league’s inaugural season.
So, while Vandersloot’s 2024 WNBA stats might suggest she’s on the decline, don’t count her out just yet. Whether it’s in Unrivaled or the WNBA, she’s determined to prove she’s still got plenty of game left.
What’s Next for Vandersloot?
As Liberty fans nervously sip their coffee and refresh their Twitter feeds, one thing is clear: Courtney Vandersloot isn’t done writing her basketball story. Whether she stays in New York or finds a new home, one thing’s for sure—she’s not just here to make up the numbers.
Watch out, WNBA. Vandersloot is hitting the free-agent market with a mission and a three-on-three warm-up act. And if her career has taught us anything, it’s this: underestimate her at your own peril.
