NEW YORK (March 16, 2025) – The reigning WNBA Champion New York Liberty has officially welcomed veteran guard Natasha Cloud as part of their strategy to secure another championship title. The Liberty acquired Cloud from the Connecticut Sun, trading away the No. 7 overall pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft and another first-round pick anticipated for 2026. This move emphasizes New York's commitment to maintaining their high-performance roster.
Cloud, who stands at 5 feet 10 inches and boasts considerable experience after spending nine previous seasons in the league, is entering her tenth year with high expectations. Having played for teams such as the Washington Mystics and the Phoenix Mercury, she is no stranger to competitive play. Cloud's impressive record includes being part of the 2019 championship-winning team with the Mystics, and she has accumulated career averages of 8.6 points, 5.3 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game.
Jonathan Kolb, General Manager of the New York Liberty, expressed enthusiasm over Cloud's arrival, stating, "We could not be more excited to welcome Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty family. Tash is someone who we identified years ago as a prime fit for our team and embodies everything we look for in a player." Kolb emphasized Cloud's previous performances at the Barclays Center, highlighting her ability to resonate with the audience and contribute significantly on both ends of the court.
Entering the 2025 season, Cloud's addition provides the Liberty with much-needed reinforcement, especially following the departure of Courtney Vandersloot due to free agency. Her post-game stats reflect her potential impact on the team's structure, as she finished the previous season averaging 11.5 points per game and recording 6.9 assists.
Cloud was initially traded to the Connecticut Sun from the Phoenix Mercury this offseason as part of the noteworthy Alyssa Thomas deal, which led to considerable disruption within her previous team. Following this move, she requested to be traded again after expressing feelings of being blindsided and wanting to find "the best situation for [herself] and [her] family". She shared her hopes of competing for championships and emphasized her desire for her new organization to invest meaningfully from the top down.
Reconnecting with the Liberty, Cloud is enthusiastic about her move, stating, "Liberty fans, I’m so excited to be a part of this organization... you’re getting a dog. I’m gonna give you everything I got every single night." This sentiment reflects her excitement and commitment to the Liberty's fanbase, which she admires for their fervent support.
The Liberty's strategy behind this trade is clear; they are intent on reinforcing their roster as they aim to repeat their championship success from 2024. Natasha Cloud's playmaking capabilities and defensive skills are hoped to blend well with the existing talent on the team, including other key players such as Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. With the WNBA preparing to expand to 15 teams by 2026, the Liberty's proactive approach will serve them well, as will their dual first-round picks used to facilitate this deal.
Fans eagerly anticipate the Liberty's first game of the season, scheduled for May 17 against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center. With Cloud now part of the lineup, expectations are high for another successful year. The acquisition of this playmaking guard not only strengthens the current roster but raises the hopes for another championship run.
By making such strategic moves, the New York Liberty is not only showcasing their ambitions for consecutive championships but is also redefining the foundation of their team through targeted acquisitions like Cloud. This trade stands as one of the key developments leading up to the 2025 WNBA season and signifies their readiness to face the challenges of defending their title.
Overall, the excitement surrounding Natasha Cloud's arrival serves as both encouragement and motivation to the Liberty as they reestablish their dominance this season. The new chapter for Cloud, paired with the aspirations of the Liberty, could lead to thrilling moments as the season progresses.